7 nabbed for trawl fishing in Iloilo waters

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Seven individuals were arrested for alleged illegal trawl fishing in the waters off Carles, Iloilo, during a joint maritime operation on May 11.

The operation was conducted by the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force, the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, the Philippine National Police-Carles Municipal Police Station and the Regional Intelligence Unit.

Authorities intercepted a fishing vessel reportedly engaged in trawl fishing, a prohibited fishing method that uses heavy nets dragged across the seabed and can damage marine ecosystems, coral habitats and fish breeding grounds.

Five of the arrested individuals are residents of Estancia, while one each came from Balasan and Carles.

Seized during the operation were the fishing vessel and fishing paraphernalia, which are now under the custody of the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force pending the filing of appropriate charges.

Authorities also recovered assorted fish worth around PHP 7,000.

The confiscated fish catch will be donated to government hospitals and charitable institutions.

The Iloilo provincial government said it continues to intensify the enforcement of fisheries and environmental laws to protect the Visayan Sea and preserve its marine resources from destructive and illegal fishing activities.