TO PROTECT the waters off northern Cebu towns from illegal commercial fishing, the mayors of San Remigio, Sta. Fe, Medellin and Bantayan have formed an alliance with Oceana Philippines.

The town mayors signed a memorandum of agreement with Oceana Philippines, an international ocean preservation advocacy group, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, at the San Remigio Municipal Hall.

According to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) officer-in-charge Alfeo Piloton, illegal fishing is still a problem in the seas off northern Cebu, in Tañon Strait.

Some municipal mayors in northern Cebu allowed commercial fishing in Tañon Strait, which Piloton said is “a big no-no because it is a protected area.”

Tañon Strait is a protected seascape as it serves as a marine wildlife reserve for breeding, feeding and resting of marine mammals.

The illegal commercial fishing does not not only take away the livelihood of small-time fisherfolks, it also affects the fish population, said Piloton.

Fighting illegal fishing, the Bfar promised to provide patrol boats to the local government units in northern Cebu. (RSR)