• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Seven fishermen were intercepted in two seaborne patrol operations off the coasts of Binalbagan and Valladolid in Negros Occidental July 28.
The first operation occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. along the coastal area of Barangay San Juan in Binalbagan, where Bantay Dagat arrested six fishermen for using active fishing gear in municipal waters, in violation of Municipal Ordinance 12-02, series of 2012.
Four of these fishermen were from Cauayan, one from Hinigaran, and another one from Himamaylan.
Authorities seized five trawling nets valued at P50,000, and 10 trawling boards worth P50,000.
Under the municipal ordinance, the offense carries a fine of P2,500 per person. The six fishermen were advised to pay their fines, while the confiscated equipment was turned over to the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Later that afternoon, a joint patrol conducted by the Valladolid Municipal Police Station Bantay Dagat and the Municipal Agriculture Office resulted in the arrest alias “Ven”, 46, off the territorial waters of Purok Pagi, Barangay Central Tabao, Valladolid.
The suspect reportedly failed to secure the required permits, in violation of Municipal Ordinance 6, series of 2004.
Authorities confiscated from “Ven” a fishing boat valued at P22,000, a fishing net worth P15,000, and P1,500 worth of assorted fish and crabs. | TMD
