8 arrested for illegal fishing in Manila Bay

MANILA, Philippines - For the fourth time since March, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) apprehended eight fishermen in Manila Bay Friday afternoon and confiscated their fishing boat for allegedly fishing too near the shore and using fine mesh nets.

PCG commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said fishing boat Let-let reportedly violated a law that prohibits fishing boats from trawling within 15 kilometers from the shore.

The PCG arrested boat captain Macario Galicia, 66; Joel Galicia, 42; Rick Galicia, 18; Richard Galicia Jr., 20; Richard Galicia Sr., 40; Wilson San Diego, 24; Charlie Rivera, 35; and Cedrick Rivera, 18.

Based on an initial report submitted to Tamayo, the fishing boat also did not have any Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) vessel safety documents.

“The boat’s crew said they have a pending application with the Marina but we have to verify their claims. We also have to check the license, if the captain has a patron license and if the crew all have seaman’s books,” he said.

Secondly, they reportedly committed illegal trawling because they were fishing close to the shoreline. Under the law, trawling operations should be done beyond the 15-kilometer limit from the shoreline.

The PCG also found the fishermen were using fine mesh nets that reached the seafloor, enabling them to catch anchovies and fish that are not yet fully grown, another violation of the law. PCG personnel recovered 50 kilos of anchovies.

Tamayo said they are still tracing the owner of the vessel, believed to be from Bulacan.

He said this was the fourth or fifth time that illegal trawlers were apprehended in prohibited areas of Manila Bay.

“When we asked the suspects, they said they were fishing close to the shoreline because they could no longer catch any fish in the open sea because of the very hot weather. But I suspect that they just wanted to cut down on their fuel cost, so they did not want to fish far from the shore,” he added. 

Tamayo said the PCG will monitor Manila Bay round the clock due to the increasing incidents of trawlers sighted in prohibited areas.