14 caught for illegal fishing in Daanbantayan

CEBU, Philippines - Fourteen men were arrested in Daanbantayan yesterday after they were caught fishing using the prohibited Danish seine method, locally known as “hulbot-hulbot,” within the municipal waters.

However, authorities later released the men after paying the fine of P2, 500 each.

PO1 Bryan Densing, Daanbantayan Police Station desk officer, reported that a team, led by Chief Inspector Randy Naval, was conducting seaborne patrol at 8 a.m. yesterday when it chanced upon the 14 fishermen off Gato Island waters, which is located 45 minutes away from Malapascua Island.

The police officers then approached them and confirmed that the fishermen were using the illegal fishing method, prompting them to apprehend the violators.

Police seized 50 boxes of assorted fish and turned them over to the municipal social welfare office in Daanbantayan. The amount of the confiscated fish was not determined as of press time.

Densing said the 14 fishermen violated the municipal ordinance, particularly on the use of illegal fishing method within municipal waters.

The arrested persons reportedly came from Negros Occidental and San Remigio, he added.

Danish seine method is carried out with the use of an active fishing gear similar to a small trawl net with very long warps. The boat hauls the long wire warps through a mechanical winch, sweeping the seafloor.

The net around the fish and action of the warps herd the fish towards the central part of the net.

The Philippine Fisheries Code prohibits fishing with gear method that destroys coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other fishery marine life habitat.

In 2013, BFAR issued Fisheries Administrative Order 246 banning Danish Seines fishing because it is deemed destructive to the sea bed, including coral reefs. —  (FREEMAN)