ILOILO City – Though it persists, illegal fishing in the waters of Western Visayas is no longer rampant, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 6.
Regional Director Remia Aparri attributed this to the heightened awareness and cooperation of stakeholders, particularly the local government units (LGUs), fisherfolk, and communities. “
“Naghagan-hagan gid man compared sang una, although nagabalik-balik man kon kaisa pero at least bal-an nila nga sige amon monitoring, control and surveillance,” Aparri said when Panay News inquired about the illegal fishing situation in the region.
Danish seine fishing, locally known as hulbot-hulbot, is the most common illegal fishing method, followed by trawl and dynamite fishing, among others.
Aparri explained that while illegal fishing activities have been reported in various parts of the region, they are mostly concentrated in the Visayan Sea in Northern Iloilo and parts of Negros Occidental.
The Visayan Sea, bordered by the islands of Cebu, Negros, Masbate, Panay, and Leyte, is one of the largest fishing grounds in the country. It is vital for over 100,000 fisherfolk who depend on it for their sustenance and livelihood.
The area is also a habitat for diverse marine life, including corals, mangroves, seagrasses, and marine protected areas. However, the Visayan Sea faces threats from illegal, unregulated fishing and increasing marine debris.
Illegal fishing reports are also monitored in the municipal waters of the provinces of Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras, Aparri added.
Most violators are locals from the said provinces, but some are from nearby islands like Negros and Masbate.
Combating Illegal Fishing
BFAR-6 created the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force, composed of various government agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Maritime Police, LGUs, and barangay officials, among others. Each member has corresponding roles, depending on the areas of concern and the types of illegal fishing methods being carried out in certain areas.
BFAR-6, for its part, continues its seaborne patrol in the Visayan Sea, especially during the closed season from Nov. 15, 2023, to Feb. 15, 2024, every year. This ensures compliance with the three-month fishing moratorium to combat the severe decline in fish populations caused by overfishing.
BFAR has a monitoring, control, and surveillance patrol boat and a 13-foot fiberglass boat deployed throughout the region to deter those wishing to engage in illegal fishing.
“Its mere presence will deter illegal and unreported fishing kon makita nila nga naga-seaborne patrol,” Aparri said.
Furthermore, respective provinces have also established their Bantay Dagat taskforces that continuously collaborate with BFAR to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
As Aparri explained, most LGUs, like the provinces of Capiz and Iloilo, implement the “hard approach” by conducting seaborne patrols to catch illegal fisherfolk in the act. However, BFAR also encourages the “soft approach,” helping fisherfolk operate legally by having them registered and obtaining a license to operate both municipal and commercial fisheries.
“Continue ang information and education (drive) kag pa-intindi sa aton stakeholders kon ano ang role nila, that is already a soft approach kon paano maging partner sang gobyerno sa pag-manage and conserve sang aton dunang manggad sa dagat because at the end of the day it is for them. So, they should be partners and cooperate with the LGUs,” said Aparri.
Communities in the region were also praised for their active cooperation in the campaign, particularly in reporting illegal fishing activities to the authorities. As the closed season for the Visayan Sea was lifted, Aparri thanked LGUs, fisherfolk, and the community for their support, allowing some fish species time to repopulate.
The species under protection include the following:
* Bali Sardine (Sardinella lemuru, locally known as tamban, tunsoy, or haul-haul)
* Short-bodied Mackerel (Rastrelliger brachysoma, known as hasa-hasa)
* Goldstripe Sardine (Sardinella gibbosa, known as halobaybay, tamban, lapad, tamban lison, or lapa)
* Indian Mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta, known as bulao or alumahan)
* Fimbriated Sardina (Sardinella fimbriata, known as tunsoy, lao-lao, tabagak, tamban, or liryan)
* Rainbow Sardine (Dussumieria acuta, known as tulis, balantiyong, or hilos-hilos)
This conservation effort covers several areas in the Visayas, including Olotayan Island and Culasi Point in Capiz, Talisay River in Iloilo, Tomonton Point in Negros Occidental, Gigantes Island Lighthouse in Iloilo, Madridejos and Bantayan Island in Cebu, and Danao River in Negros Occidental.
“So we join hand in hand, partnership with commercial, with the LGU, and even traders and brokers in terms of campaigning for the sustainability of managing the fisheries here in Region 6,” said Aparri./PN
