Authorities to strengthen drive vs illegal fishing

CEBU, Philippines – The campaign against illegal fishing activities and other violations against the environment will be intensified in Cebu once a composite team of representatives from various government agencies will be formally organized.

Senior Superintendent Anthony Obenza, assistant chief of staff for community relations of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, said the creation of the composite team tasked to run after the illegal fishers had been proven to be very effective in Bohol.

Obenza was the police provincial director in Bohol when the Coastal Law Enforcement Council was created.

Its members are from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine National Police, Coast Guard, Navy, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Re-sources, mayors and representatives from the provincial government.

Cebu Provincial Attorney Marino Martinquilla, who attended the Kapihan sa Philippine Information Agency, assured that he will bring up the matter with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Martinquilla said he is certain that the governor will support the creation of the composite team in Cebu because she is serious in stopping the illegal fishing activities in the seawaters of the province.

Nathaniel Lucero of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said that because of illegal fishing, the volume of caught marine products is no longer enough for the Cebuano population.

"Mao kana nga gidasig namo ang pagpalambo sa atong mga inland marine sources sama sa mga ponong aron madugangan ang atong suplay sa mga marine products," Lucero said.

The BFAR official said they received complaints from the marginal fishermen about their dwindling catch.

Lucero explained that aside from blast fishing, cyanide is also a big problem as the chemical can also harm the corals.

Obenza said that in Bohol, the members of Coastal Law Enforcement Council used the vessels of the Navy and Coast Guard in running after the illegal fishers.

Republic Act 8550 and the Local Government Code prohibits the operation of commercial fishing vessels in the municipal waters so it will not affect the livelihood of the marginal fishermen.

The seawaters of Bohol is among the top 10 fish-rich areas and has become a popular fishing site for commercial fishing vessels. (FREEMAN)