27 boat crew nabbed for illegal fishing

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Twenty-seven crewmen of a commercial fishing boat were arrested for alleged encroachment into the municipal waters of Cauayan, Negros Occidental, early Thursday.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the Provincial and Regional Maritime Police nabbed the crewmen of the Aqua King Dos, a vessel reportedly owned by Sherwin Lim of Hinigaran town. They were caught fishing inside the territorial waters of Cauayan, which was within the 5.7-kilometer radius from the shoreline.

Marañon said the law bans big fishing vessels from encroaching into the municipal waters within the 10-kilometer radius, because this area is only for the marginalized fishermen. (FREEMAN)