Four arrested for illegal fishing in Panay

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Four individuals were arrested in two separate operations Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 20, for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing activities in the coastal waters of Panay town.

The suspects were apprehended by joint personnel from the Panay Philippine National Police and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of the local government unit of Panay.

Police identified the suspects by their aliases as Ronnie, Fern, Jay and Fred, all residents of Carles.

Authorities said the suspects were caught in the act while operating two fishing vessels in violation of Municipal Ordinance No. 03-02, or the Municipal Fishery Code of 2003, for fishing without proper documents or permits.

Confiscated from the suspects were two fishing vessels, fishing nets with accessories, and assorted fish with an estimated total value of PHP 400,000.

The suspects and the seized fishing paraphernalia were placed under the custody of the Panay Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, fishermen earlier arrested for illegal fishing in the towns of Pilar and President Roxas held a dialogue Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, at the office of Capiz Gov. Fredenil Oto Castro.

The fishermen came from the barangays of Dulangan, Casanayan, Binaobawan and Rosario in Pilar, and Marita and Pondol in President Roxas.

Castro urged the fishermen to help protect marine resources, assuring them of the provincial government’s support.

He said the 78 individuals previously apprehended for illegal fishing would receive free fishing nets and other fishing gear to support their livelihood.

Castro warned that destructive fishing methods such as dynamite fishing, trawling and the use of fine-mesh nets damage marine ecosystems and deplete fish stocks.

He encouraged the fishermen to form a unified association to continue receiving government assistance and incentives under the Task Force Pagdumdom program instead of resorting to illegal fishing.

Also present during the dialogue were Capiz Bantay Dagat coordinator Glenn Beup and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Capiz head Edwin Javier.