MARITIME authorities have arrested two fishermen for blast fishing off Basilan province, the police said Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Police Major Geobani Calle, Basilan Maritime Police Station (Marpsta) chief, said the two fishermen, whose identities were not released, were arrested around 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, in the vicinity of Port Holland Zone 3, Maluso.
Calle said the two fishermen were nabbed when they intercepted a motorboat marked "MPB Warna" while on routine inspection of fishing vessels, particularly locally known "Pikit-Pikit," and other motorboats operating in the sea waters of Basilan province.
Calle said the two fishermen were caught in violation of Section 92 of Republic Act 10654, otherwise known as Fishing Through Explosives, Noxious or Poisonous Substance or Electricity.
"The intercepted motorboat and its crew were immediately brought to the Basilan Marpsta Office for documentation and further investigation," he said.
He said the apprehension highlights the critical importance of continuously eliminating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities "within our Area of Responsibility (AOR)."
He added that IUU fishing, particularly through destructive methods like the use of explosives, severely depletes marine resources, damages delicate ecosystems, and undermines the livelihoods of legitimate fisherfolk. (SunStar Zamboanga)