Carles fishers face PHP 2M gear seizure

By Mariela Angella Oladive

A joint enforcement team confiscated about PHP 2 million worth of fishing paraphernalia and recovered an estimated PHP 50,000 worth of fish after intercepting a vessel allegedly engaged in prohibited hulbot-hulbot fishing off Barangay Punta Buri, Carles, on June 20.

The operation was conducted by the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force, Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Regional Intelligence Unit as part of continuing efforts to curb illegal fishing in the Visayan Sea.

Authorities identified the boat captain as Archie Wenceslao Pugay of Barangay Bancal, Carles.

Pugay is facing charges for alleged violation of Section 97 of Republic Act No. 10654, or the amended Philippine Fisheries Code, in relation to Fisheries Administrative Order No. 246-1, which prohibits the use of Danish seine and modified Danish seine fishing gear in Philippine waters.

Law enforcers recovered 15 tubs of assorted fish and confiscated fishing equipment allegedly used in the illegal fishing operation.

Locally known as hulbot-hulbot, Danish seine fishing has long been banned because of its destructive impact on marine habitats and fish stocks.

The gear uses a conical net attached to long ropes to herd fish before they are hauled mechanically or manually, a method authorities say can damage the seabed and disrupt marine ecosystems.

Pugay was informed of his constitutional rights and is being held at the Carles Municipal Police Station pending the filing of formal charges.

The apprehension is the latest in a series of enforcement actions by provincial authorities aimed at protecting fishery resources in the Visayan Sea, one of the country’s major fishing grounds.