Capiz Bantay Dagat to receive BFAR conservation award

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The Capiz Provincial Bantay Dagat is set to receive an award from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) for its work protecting the province’s marine resources.

The “Gawad Parangal sa Kabalikat ng Pangisda at Yamang Tubig” will be presented during the closing ceremony of the 63rd Fish Conservation Week on Sept. 18 at Lucent Hotel in Quezon City.

The award recognizes the team’s support, contributions, initiatives and achievements in managing, protecting and conserving Capiz’s marine resources.

Its successful operations against illegal fishing reflect the team’s collective effort and continuing commitment to protecting the province’s coastal and aquatic resources.

The Provincial Bantay Dagat is headed by Glenn Beup, with support from Gov. Fredenil H. Castro.

The team received a 95% rating from national evaluators.

Bantay Dagat teams help local governments enforce fisheries laws and combat illegal fishing in municipal waters.

Meanwhile, six people were arrested by a Bantay Dagat team on Saturday, Sept. 12, for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing in the waters off Panay town.

Police identified the suspects as a boat captain known as “Fernando” and his five crew members, all residents of Barangay Libas, Roxas City.

Authorities recovered a fishing boat valued at PHP 200,000, an engine worth PHP 100,000 and 50 kilograms of assorted fish.

Police said the suspects failed to present the required permit and documents for their fishing activities.