Fishery law enforcers ready to combat IUU fishing

MANILA, Philippines - To strengthen the country’s fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has enlisted some of its personnel in an intensive law enforcement training program at the National Brackishwater Fisheries Technology Center in Pagbilao, Quezon.

From an initial number of 76 participants, a total of 62 trainees were able to complete the three-month boot camp which started in October of last year.

“The training was meant to capacitate our personnel with enough knowledge and skills that will allow them to ensure proper management and protection of the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources,” said Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala,  adding that an effective law enforcer would  contribute greatly to the progress of the local fishing industry and the people whose livelihood depends on it.

DA undersecretary for Fisheries and BFAR national director Asis G. Perez said the training was divided into two parts: the 30-day transition period in which participants were indoctrinated on discipline, conduct and values, basic tactical training, and strenuous physical training, and the 60-day training on BFAR operations and protocols, fishery laws and aquatic protection, shipboard operations and practicum, advance tactical training, water search and rescue, field training exercises and physical development program.

Meanwhile, one of the female graduates, Jemimah Tabaog of Malaksi class said that as new law enforcers they learned to adopt new values to replace  old ones. The new values would help them survive and be more flexible in any given situation.

Also part of the BFAR’s law enforcement capacity-strengthening is the procurement of 27 units of 40-footer monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) vessels, 70 units of 30-footer multi-mission vessels and, two units 50-meter vessel equipped with necessary special operations tools and devices such as service fire arms, GPS, night vision goggles, scuba gears and, rigid-hulled inflatable rubber boats.

BFAR intends to increase the number of law enforcers who will be strategically deployed in the country’s fishing grounds.