ILOILO – The town of Carles in northern Iloilo is among the 20 local government units warned by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF).
Interior secretary Eduardo Año said concerned LGUs must strengthen the enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code and other existing policies for the protection of coastal communities and fishing folks within their jurisdiction or face administrative sanctions.
“Despite the pandemic, we want to remind LGUs of the protection of our aquatic resources which, unfortunately, is still an issue in the country. Para sa 20 pamahalaang lokal na ito na ating pinadalhan ng warning, mahigpit ang ating paalala na pangalagaan ang ating mga karagatan,” Año said in a press release.
The DILG official said these LGUs were informed of the total number of the IUUF committed in their areas using satellite technology.
Año explained that these LGUs had the highest number of encroachments or violation in the use of superlight and other artificial light sources (to attract fishes during nighttime) the use of which is prohibited under Section 98 of the Republic Act No. 8550, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654, or the Philippines Fisheries Code of 1998.
The DILG was able to get the information through the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) technology, a satellite that can detect artificial light sources or superlight.
“IUUF can cause a serious decline in fisheries resources, and can negatively impact food security and livelihoods for coastal communities and fisherfolk kaya napakahalagang tutukan ito ng mga LGUs,” he underscored.
Based on the data, Carles was No. 10 in the list for cases of IUUF violations – 762 total detections.
Tongkil in Sulu had the highest IUUF violations (2,549 total detections) followed by Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur with 2,446; Milagros, Masbate with 1,595; Cawayan, Masbate with 1,350; San Pascual, Masbate with 1,193; Languyan, Tawi-tawi with 1,057; Calauag, Quezon with 1,009; Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan with 973; and Linapacan, Palawan with 959.
Also included in the top 20 LGUs were Cuyo, Palawan; Santa Cruz, Marinduque; Madridejos, Cebu; Coron, Palawan; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Taytay, Palawan; Magsaysay, Palawan; Catbalogan City, Samar; Cavite City, Cavite; and Quezon, Quezon.
Based on the VIIRS technology boat detection report of 2020, there’s a spike in detections of commercial fishing in municipal waters amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Año said the DILG utilizes VIIRS data which shows the LGUs where the use of superlights is prevalent.
The data, he said, is overlaid with maps that show municipal water boundaries to identify and map out the use of super lights in municipal waters or intrusions and encroachments of commercial fishing vessels in municipal waters.
“The use of satellite technology in fisheries law enforcement is another game changer hence it is imperative for the DILG to act and issue a warning to these LGUs. Hangad namin na sa pamamagitan nito ay matugunan nila ang mga paglabag sa batas ng pangingisda sa kanilang nasasakupan,” he said.
The DILG partnered with Oceana Philippines in monitoring, detecting and preventing IUUF in municipal waters.
The DILG chief likewise urged LGUs to implement DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2018-59 which contains policies and guidelines on the regulation and monitoring of fishery activities in municipal waters. He said the said memo requires LGUs to regulate and monitor fisheries activities and strictly enforce the provisions of the amended Fisheries Code.
Año assured that the DILG, through its Fisheries Compliance Audit, is committed to monitor LGUs’ fulfillment of responsibilities under the Code and emphasizes the need for effective management of municipal waters for biodiversity conservation and food security.(with DILG/PN)
