7 Vietnamese poachers fined P300,000

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela, Philippines — Seven Vietnamese fishermen have been ordered to pay a fine of P300,000 for poaching in Philippine waters.

Nelson Bien, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Cagayan Valley director, said the Vietnamese were caught fishing in the waters off  Dalupiri island north of Cagayan last Aug. 17.

“The payment of a compromise fine is in addition to the confiscation of their fishing vessel reportedly worth millions of pesos,” Bien said.

He said the BFAR would use the Vietnamese boat for its research.