In Talisay City, Plaint filed against Bantay Dagat head

CEBU, Philippines - A fishermen’s group filed yesterday morning a complaint against the chief of Fishermen Sea and Ecological Care (FISECA) in the offices of Councilors Antonio Bacaltos, Jr. and Doroteo Emit.

Bacaltos is the chairman of the committee on environment in the city council with Emit as member of that committee.

Alfreda Cabusas, who claims to be the president of Fisher Folks Association Inc., claimed that FISECA’s chief,  Arturo “Jun” Aras, has done nothing to stop illegal fishing in the city.

She claimed that dynamite fishing has become rampant and could endanger the Bangus Fish Cage project given to them by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which is located near the FISECA headquarters in Barangay Cansojong.

Cabusas alleged that dynamite fishing almost takes place every day.

She said her association is seeking the help of the two councilors to solve the problem.

Bacaltos and Emit said they will investigate the report.

The two councilors also said that illegal fishing should be stopped.

According to Bacaltos he has already heard complaints about illegal fishing in the past.

Emit said it is likely that after the investigation the city council will come up with a resolution that would deal with illegal fishing.

On other hand, Aras who has been acting as FISECA’s head for the past six months now, denied the allegation against him and said that six fishermen have been apprehended for trawl fishing but only six of the men were turned over to the mayor because the others have been allowed to go.

He said fishermen caught breaking rules will be fined and their gadgets seized.

Aras said illegal fishermen play cat and mouse with FISECA.

Aras suspects there is politics behind the complaint. (FREEMAN)