ILOILO – From January 2017 to June 2018 39 hulbot-hulbot fishing boats have been apprehended in Western Visayas, data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) showed.
Most of these boats were caught in the Visayan Sea off the coasts of northern Iloilo, Roxas City in Capiz and Negros Occidental, said BFAR assistant regional director Carlito Delfin.
The boat captains and crew of these boats were charged with violating Republic Act 10654 (The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998).
Hulbot-hulbot or Danish Seine and Modified Danish Seine are fishing methods destructive of coral reefs and are thus prohibited.
Delfin said hulbot-hulbot and other illegal fishing practices remain rampant in Region 6, most especially in the Visayan Sea. But he expressed confidence that the amended Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 246-1 could address the problem.
The Department of Agriculture approved a proposed update to FAO No. 246 banning Danish Seine and Modified Danish Seine.
Now, said Delfin, mere possession of Danish Seine or Modified Danish Seine gears is considered prima facie evidence for violation.
Danish Seine and Modified Danish Seine are active gears consisting of a conical net with a pair of wings, the ends of which are connected to a rope embedded with buri, plastic strips, sinkers or other similar materials to serve as scaring or herding device hauled through a mechanical winch or by manpower.
These gears have been proven to destroy marine habitats.
Previously, said Delfin, a person may only be arrested if he is in the act of an illegal fishing activity, thus apprehensions were miniscule.
Delfin said the enforcement of the amended FAO Order No. 246-1 started on July 29 right after Agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol approved it.
Under the amended FAO No. 246-1, violators (owner/operator of boat, boat captain, master fisher, and recruiter organizer) will “suffer the penalty of administrative fine equivalent to five times the value of fish caught or P2 million, whichever is higher, and confiscation of catch and gear.”
The erring fisherman, meanwhile, faces a fine of P20,000 or community service.
According to Atty. Jan Rey Magallosa, legal officer of BFAR Region 6, local government units play a crucial role in enforcing the regulation, especially those with coastal areas.
“We cannot fully implement the law or fully deter illegal fishing without them,” he stressed
On July 18 during a visit to Iloilo, Agriculture secretary Piñol appealed to coastal municipalities to help enforce the amended FAO No. 246-1.
Environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa, who was here yesterday, issued a public appeal.
“Nakikiusap po kami sa mga may-ari ng hulbot-hulbot. Bilang Pilipino, bilang kapatid, itigil ninyo ito para hindi tayo magkaproblema,” said Oposa.
He, however, stressed the campaign against illegal fishing does not only focus on apprehending violators.
Those who contribute to efforts in protecting marine resources would be recognized, said Oposa.
“Together with the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Governor, we are going to fete those doing good,” he said.
Oposa believed the most ideal scenario is when the public themselves voluntarily follow fisheries laws.
“The best form of law enforcement is when the laws do not need to be enforced kasi susunod na lahat,” said Oposa./PN
