Navotas on 'hot fish' watch

MANILA, Philippines - The Navotas City government is keeping a close watch on the entry of “hot fish” or fish caught using dynamite and other illegal means, an official said yesterday.

Joebe Gonzales, city agriculture and fisheries officer, told The STAR that illegally caught fish are being dumped at the fish port with connivance of some fish dealers.

She said the hot fish are sold during the peak of fish trading at the Navotas port, which starts from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. every night.

Gonzales said they are closely coordinating with Navotas fish port authorities and maritime police to intercept illegally caught fish and conduct offshore operations to monitor explosives makers along the coastlines.

She said Mayor John Rey Tiangco has ordered a renewed campaign against illegal fishermen operating along the Navotas coastline.

Gonzales said part of the campaign is a renewed effort to rid the city’s coastal barangays of blast fishermen. She said the explosive materials stored by blast fishermen put their neighbors in danger.

A fire razed houses in the coastal barangay of Navotas West, known as a haven for illegal fishermen, two months ago.