Navy apprehends commercial boats in CamSur, Masbate

The Navy apprehended on Wednesday three commercial boats involved in illegal fishing in waters off Balana, Camarines Sur and Baleno, Masbate.

The vessels identified as F/B Princess Danica, F/B Dapol, and F/V Ruth allegedly violated the provisions of the Philippine Fisheries Code and the Fishery Administrative Order 198 against active gears, superlights and unlicensed fisher folk.

At least 25 crew members were apprehended during the operations, which were conducted by the Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

“The joint operations are part of the NAVFORSOL’s commitment and actions to reduce illegal and commercial fishing within its area of responsibilities which highly affects the socioeconomic well-being of the (residents),” said Lt. Cmdr. Eltoncisco Gumpal, NAVFORSOL spokesman.

F/V Ruth, which was valued at about P30 million, had fishing paraphernalia worth P10 million.

Marine species worth P41,100 and fishing equipment worth about P1 million were recovered from F/B Princess Danica.

Meanwhile, about P145,000 worth of fish and P300,000 worth of fishing paraphernalia were found in F/B Dapol. The apprehended personnel were turned over to BFAR Bicol for the filing of cases. – Bjorn Beltran and Alexis Romero