Story: Elmer Recuerdo
Photos: BFAR/Elmer Recuerdo
Photos: BFAR/Elmer Recuerdo
TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard teamed up with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to patrol Samar Sea to curb Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) activities in the rich fishing ground of Eastern Visayas.
This week the joint team apprehended two commercial fishing boats operating on the said water that were using the banned Modified Danish Seine locally known as "hulbot-hulbot."
Christine Gresola, BFAR regional information officer, said the two commercial fishing vessels were found fishing on the municipal waters of Daram Island and Tarangnan town in Samar.
She said the owner of the said commercial fishing vessel that was apprehended in Daram abandoned the boat and none of its crew was identified.
Gresola said the use of the Modified Danish Seine is responsible for the destruction of marine habitats because its tom weights and heavily weighted scarelines scrapes the seabed destroying coral reefs, seagrass, and other fishery marine life habitats, which take many years to recover.
This week the joint team apprehended two commercial fishing boats operating on the said water that were using the banned Modified Danish Seine locally known as "hulbot-hulbot."
Christine Gresola, BFAR regional information officer, said the two commercial fishing vessels were found fishing on the municipal waters of Daram Island and Tarangnan town in Samar.
She said the owner of the said commercial fishing vessel that was apprehended in Daram abandoned the boat and none of its crew was identified.
Gresola said the use of the Modified Danish Seine is responsible for the destruction of marine habitats because its tom weights and heavily weighted scarelines scrapes the seabed destroying coral reefs, seagrass, and other fishery marine life habitats, which take many years to recover.
Under the amended Fisheries Code of the Philippines, fishermen found using this method face a penalty of up to P2 million and a jail time of up to six months.
Gresola said the illegal fishing gears were seized from these vessels, and both boats were impounded at the Fishery Protection Law Enforcement Group 8 Carigara Substation for proper disposition and custodial safekeeping.
Meanwhile, the owner of the abandoned boat will be facing an additional administrative fine ranging from P1M to P2M for violating Section 115 (Obstruction to Fishery Law Enforcement Officer).
BFAR-8 said it will also deploy additional floating assets in Samar Sea to significantly deter IUUF in this hotspot area.(CJ/jmm/ER)
Gresola said the illegal fishing gears were seized from these vessels, and both boats were impounded at the Fishery Protection Law Enforcement Group 8 Carigara Substation for proper disposition and custodial safekeeping.
Meanwhile, the owner of the abandoned boat will be facing an additional administrative fine ranging from P1M to P2M for violating Section 115 (Obstruction to Fishery Law Enforcement Officer).
BFAR-8 said it will also deploy additional floating assets in Samar Sea to significantly deter IUUF in this hotspot area.(CJ/jmm/ER)
