Authorities apprehended illegal fishers in Manila Bay, BFAR says

Authorities accosted operators and crew members of three fishing vessels over alleged unlawful fishing activities in Manila Bay last March 17, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said Wednesday.

BFAR said crew members of fishing vessels FBca JAMZYRIC, FBca JOSWYNE BROOKES and FBca 5 BROTHERS were found using trawl fishing gear inside municipal waters which violated Section 86 (Unauthorized Fishing) and Section 95 (Use of Active Gears in Municipal Waters, Bays, and Other Fishery Management Areas) of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

According to the BFAR, the suspects were apprehended during a joint seaborne operation of the BFAR Central Office-Fisheries Protection and Law and Philippine Coast Guard.

Authorities recovered 150 kilograms of hairtail with an estimated value of P5,000; 35 kilograms of slipmouth worth P4,000; and 35 kilograms of lizardfish in the vessels.

Together with the crew, the fishing vessels were brought to El Vardero, Sangley Point and Cavite City for filing of the appropriate complaints, BFAR added.

BFAR Chief Eduardo Gongona, meanwhile, appealed to the public to be vigilant and report illegal fishing activities to their nearest BFAR Regional Office or local government.

“The Bureau together with concerned agencies are spending much effort for more compliance and less violations to rules and regulations but we cannot allow IUUF happening under our nose,” Gongona said. —LBG, GMA News