• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 15 fishermen were apprehended in a series of anti-illegal fishing operations conducted by police and Bantay Dagat teams in various coastal areas of Negros Occidental on Aug. 4.
The largest operations took place within the Sagay Marine Reserve in Sagay City, which resulted in the arrest of nine fishermen, among them two minors, in three separate incidents involving the illegal fishing method locally known as “pamo”.
Some P330,540 worth of fishing boats and gear were confiscated.
All recovered evidence were turned over to the Sagay Marine Reserve/Protected Area Management Board while the arrested individuals remain under the custody of Sagay City Police Station.
A 62-year-old fisherman was apprehended during a seaborne patrol at the coastal waters of Barangay Gargato in Hinigaran for operating without a mayor’s permit.
Confiscated from his possession were a fishing boat valued at P35,000, a fine fishing net worth P4,500, and about 20 kilograms of assorted fish valued at P1,600.
The fisherman opted to pay the prescribed P2,500 fine while the confiscated fish and fishing gear were placed under the custody of the Municipal Agriculture Office.
In Barangay San Juan, Binalbagan, authorities apprehended five individuals during a seaborne patrol for using active fishing gear in violation of a municipal ordinance.
Recovered were five trawling nets and 10 trawling boards, with an estimated total value of P50,000.
Each violator faces a P2,500 fine, the police said. | GPB
