21 fishermen apprehended for illegal fishing

GOVERNMENT operatives have apprehended 21 fishermen for illegal fishing within the municipal waters of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday, June 22, 2023.

The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) said the fishermen were apprehended after the joint team of Coast Guard Sub-Station Olutanga, policemen and militiamen launched anti-illegal fishing operation earlier this week in the waters off Calais, Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The CGDSWM said the 21 fishermen, who were aboard on two motorboats, were caught engaging in illegal fishing activity locally known as “hulbot-hulbot.”

The practice of hulbot-hulbot is in violation of Republic Act 10654, otherwise known as an act to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

The 21 fishermen also violated Ordinance No. 2020-381 for operating within the Municipal Waters of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay Province without appropriate permits and for fishing within eight nautical miles from the shoreline of the town.

“Hulbot-hulbot” is considered an illegal way of fishing as it utilizes a destructive fishing gear built with nets connected to sinkers or tom weights.

Such kind of fishing is a significant threat to the sustainability of the marine environment.

“They break the regulations of fishing industry and they harm our ecology, leading to the depletion of our fish stock and destruction of our marine ecology,” the CGDSWM said in a statement.

The swift action of Coast Guard Sub-station Olutanga in coordination with other concerned agencies is commendable, as it sends a clear message that those who endanger the marine environment and its sustainability will not be tolerated and will be held accountable, the CGDSWM said. (SunStar Zamboanga)