THIRTEEN fishermen from San Remegio, Cebu, were apprehended off the coast of Barangay Asluman, Carles town, for illegal fishing.
The Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force (IPBDTF) led by Police Officer 1 Hendrick Bunday and Marvin Frech Saturnino caught the fishermen onboard F/B Seagull fishing using the forbidden Danish seine on June 1.
An inquest investigation was endorsed to the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on June 2 and administrative charges were filed at the Adjudication Committee of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Western Visayas on June 4.
The fishermen were charged with unauthorized fishing and ban of the use of destructive fishing method under Section 86 and 97 of Republic Act 10654, respectively.
The task force confiscated their fishing vessel and fishing paraphernalia, such as tom weight with pair of steel rings, four rolls of scaring lines, and Danish seine fish nets.
Their fish catch -- 116 tubs of assorted fish -- were also seized and distributed for the consumption of patients admitted in Sara District Hospital, Jesus M. Colmenares Memorial District Hospital, Ajuy Rural Health Unit and for the inmates of BJMP in Barotac Viejo, Municipal Police Stations of Ajuy, Concepcion, Batad, San Dionisio and Sara.
The fishermen have five days to settle their administrative violations in BFAR otherwise a formal complaint will be filed against the owner of the fishing vessel. (PR)