Maritime cops, Coast Guard “ignoring” illegal fishermen?

The PNP Maritime Group and the Philippine Coast Guard have been accused of failing to stop rampant illegal fishing in northern Cebu including Bantayan Island.

Joe Moreno, captain of the barangay island of Carnasa, said he once intercepted a fishing boat in his place engaged in illegal fishing, but the town policemen did nothing.

“Mga polis sa atong lungsod wala gayud magpakabana niining grabe na kaayong illegal fishing sa lungsod sa Daanbantayan,” Moreno said.

He challenged Mayor Sun Shimura to show to the people of Daanbantayan that they are concerned for the protection of environment in the town.

“Hagiton nato ang atong mga opisyal sa lungsod sa Daanbantayan nga ipakita nga sila nagpakabana sa gagmayng mga mananagat,” Moreno said.

He further said that the operators of these trawl fishing are not only known personalities in Daanbantayan but also in Bantayan island.

One of the frequent illegal practices is “hulbot-hulbot” where fishermen use a conical bag net having a pair of wings with hauling ropes passing through a metallic ring attached to a weight.

The Fisheries Code of the Philippines states that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate hulbot-hulbot using fine mesh nets less than three centimeters on fishing boats more than three gross tons within a distance of 15 kilometers distance from the shorelines.

Violators shall face a fine of not less than P500, but not more than P5,000 or an imprisonment from six months to four years, or both at the discretion of the court.  — Jose P. Sollano/BRP