80 fishermen nabbed for illegal fishing

Eighty fishermen were rounded up by operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Maritime Group in Manila Bay early yesterday morning for illegal fishing.

The fishermen were caught while allegedly using trawl, a prohibitive fishing gear, according to PNP-Maritime Group acting director Chief Superintendent Reynor Gonzales.

The operation was supervised by the National Capital Region Maritime Office (NCRMO) regional officer Superintendent Edmund Gonzales and Special Operation Unit chief Superintendent Leonardo Suan, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, following reports of rampant use of prohibitive fishing gear by some fishermen in Manila Bay.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of 11 fishing vessels and an undetermined quantity of fish.

The use of trawl in large-scale fishing was banned by the government as it destroys fish corrals under the sea and even catch small fries.

The Maritime police is also monitoring fishermen who use dynamite and chemicals in Laguna de Bay.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, were filed against the arrested fishermen and the owners of the fishing vessels.