12 more foreign fishermen nabbed

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – After last month’s apprehension of 26 foreigners, authorities caught 12 more foreign fishermen while poaching off Cagayan the other day.

The 12 Taiwanese, Chinese and Indonesian nationals were arrested by a joint team of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the maritime police of Santa Ana town in Cagayan’s northeastern coast. 

They were allegedly using illegal active gear and fine nets to catch threatened marine species.

Dr. Jovita Ayson, BFAR regional director, said the fishermen faces charges for violating the Fisheries Code of the Philippines (Republic Act 8550). – Charlie Lagasca