Illegal fishing in Cebu wanes

CEBU, Philippines - Illegal fishermen will literally kneel down if they don’t stop their activities, the Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force has strongly warned.

CPAIFTF head Mar Go issued the warning during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza as he reported the decline of illegal fishing activities particularly in northern Cebu following their extensive operations.

“Gusto ko’ng ipaalam din sa mga kaibigan natin na gumagawa ng illegal fishing na pag ang Cebu Province Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force ang nakahuli, talaga’ng sasabihin ko sa kanila, luluhod sila,” said Go who assumed the position on October 1.

Go said they have identified hotspots areas such as the municipalities of Medellin and Daanbantayan, and the City of Bogo where they have conducted several market denials and day and night checkpoints.

For so many fish carriers being checked, Go said all were negative of dynamited fish.

“I’m sure na alam ng ating mga kasama sa norte and other parts of Cebu na we are serious in our drive sa ating market denial of illegal fishing,” he said.

Gary Cases, president of Project Shark Link based in Malapascua Island, Daanbantayan, confirmed that dynamite fishing has declined in the area.

Cases said they formed their own Bantay Dagat which personnel were trained and deputized by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the local government unit.

They also received a patrol boat from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office while the Maritime Police also provided four personnel to help in patrolling the sea.

“We have minimized the dynamite fishing but sad to say that they still have supplies of ammonium nitrate coming from the surrounding sugar cane plantations,” Cases said.

City of Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. said they called on the fisherfolk to police their own members against illegal fishing.

Martinez said bigger boats are being used to harvest fish in designated areas and the members are getting their own share. — (FREEMAN)