BFAR-7 augments Team Eskina

CEBU, Philippines - Illegal fish haulers in Cebu better beware now that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will be helping the provincial government’s Team Eskina by providing technical assistance.

BFAR will also be turning over another patrol boat to Capitol to augment the equipment of Team Eskina, the Province’s task force handling market denial for illegally caught fish and other marine resources.

These are the two agreements recently signed by BFAR with the Cebu Provincial Government aimed towards further enhancing the capability of the local government units in the implementation of coastal laws.

According to BFAR 7 Director Asis Perez, the patrol boat was originally intended for the municipality of Tabogon but Mayor Eusebio Dungog forwarded it to the Capitol seeing the need to reinforce the task force in its efforts to curb illegal fishing activities in the northern part of the Province.

Compared to the Provincial Government’s effort in coastal resource management, Perez said the patrol boat is a “little contribution” from the bureau. 

He added that in three to four months, BFAR will again turn over two high-speed boats to Cebu as part of the bureau’s commitment to the four provinces that are working hand in hand to protect the Visayan Sea. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also lauds Perez for his “innovative projects to regenerate supply” and giving out alternatives to help commercial fisheries steer away from encroaching on municipal waters.

She assured that in Cebu, efforts to continue protecting and conserving marine resources will be top priority and that the provincial government will continue to be BFAR’s partner in this cause.  (FREEMAN)