Gwen declares all-out war vs. illegal fishing

CEBU, Philippines – Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has declared an all-out war against illegal fishing throughout the province.

Garcia said the task force against illegal fishing will be set up upon her return from China next week. The task force will be composed of representatives from various law enforcement agencies.

"Kining atong drive on coastal resource management and protection, atong nakita nga kung asa dapit sinsero gyud bitaw ang mga leaders, sinsero gyud ang mayor nga dili gyud tugtan ang illegal fishing sa iyang area, maundang gyud," Garcia told reporters yesterday.

Garcia said many dive sites across the province have been developed into marine protected areas. One example is Moalboal town that has serious in its campaign against commercial fishing.

"Easy money baya na, big money man gyud... commercial fishers are willing to give even the weekly share in terms of percentage sa halin nga makuha illegally," Garcia said, referring to local officials who get a cut from illegal fishing.

Garcia said she decided to declare an all-out war against illegal fishing the same way that she declared serious action against insurgency and illegal drugs in the province. 

The Visayan Sea in northern Cebu area is notorious of illegal fishing activities, thus, has figured in many environmental cases.

Environmental lawyer and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Antonio Oposa who met with Garcia earlier said he is happy of the governor's plan.

Oposa disclosed earlier the plan to have a ship serve as a maritime court that would hear cases involving illegal fishing. The first target area is the Visayan Sea.

He said the ship can be anchored near Malapascua Island, as the area is reportedly strategic in monitoring illegal fishing activities in Bantayan Island and Carnaza Island in Daanbantayan town.

To man the ship is a composite team of personnel from the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Cebu Coast Guard, Naval Forces Central, Maritime Police, Department of Justice, Visayan Sea Squadron and a lawyer. (FREEMAN)