Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año warned 20 LGUs on Saturday, May 8, for inaction on the reported illegal fishing activities in their respective areas.
Año said those he warned are the top 20 localities with the highest number of encroachment or violation in the use of superlight and other artificial light sources which are used to attract fishes during nighttime that are prohibited under Section 98 of the Republic Act No. 8550, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654 or the Philippines Fisheries Code of 1998.
"These LGUs should strictly impose the Philippine Fisheries Code and other related regulations to protect the coastal communities and fishing folks and avoid administrative sanctions," said Año.
The DILG was able to get the information through the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) technology, a satellite that can detect artificial light sources or superlight.
Registering the most IUUF violation is Tongkil, Sulu with 2,549 total detections followed by Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur with 2,446; Milagros, Masbate with 1,595; Cawayan, Masbate with 1,350; San Pascual, Masbate with 1,193; Languyan, Tawi-tawi with 1,057; Calauag, Quezon with 1,009; Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan with 973; Linapacan, Palawan with 959; and, Carles, Iloilo with 762.
Also included in the top 20 LGUs are Cuyo, Palawan; Santa Cruz, Marinduque; Madridejos, Cebu; Coron, Palawan; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Taytay, Palawan; Magsaysay, Palawan; Catbalogan City, Samar; Cavite City, Cavite; and, Quezon, Quezon.
Año directed the 20 localities “to exercise their mandate and responsibilities, under the Philippine Fisheries Code” and inform them the total number of the IUUF committed in their areas using satellite technology.
“Despite the pandemic, we want to remind LGUs of the protection of our aquatic resources which, unfortunately, is still an issue in the country.
Para sa 20 pamahalaang lokal na ito na ating pinadalhan ng warning, mahigpit ang ating paalala na pangalagaan ang ating mga karagatan (For the 20 LGUs we warned, we strictly remind them to protect our local waters)” Año said.
“IUUF can cause a serious decline in fisheries resources, and can negatively impact food security and livelihoods for coastal communities and fisherfolk kaya napakahalagang tutukan ito (waters) ng mga LGU (that is why it is very important for the LGUs to focus on them),” he added.
Based on the VIIRS technology boat detection report of 2020, there has been a spike in the increase of detections of commercial fishing in municipal waters amid the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The DILG chief stressed the importance of protecting the local waters since the said violations are “directly related and crucial to the food security of our country.”
Año explained that the DILG utilized the VIIRS data which showed “the LGUs where the use of these superlights are prevalent.’’
He added that the data is “overlaid with maps that show municipal water boundaries to identify and map out the use of super lights in municipal waters or intrusions and encroachments of commercial fishing vessels in municipal waters.’’
“The use of satellite technology in fisheries law enforcement is another game changer hence it imperative for the DILG to act and issue a warning to these LGUs,’’ Año said.
The DILG has partnered with Oceana Philippines in monitoring, detecting, and preventing IUUF in municipal waters.
Año also urged LGUs to implement DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2018-59 which contains policies and guidelines on the regulation and monitoring of fishery activities in Municipal Waters.
The said memo requires LGUs to regulate and monitor fisheries activities and strictly enforce the provisions of the amended Fisheries Code.
He assured that the DILG, through its Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA), is committed to monitor LGUs’ fulfillment of responsibilities under the Code and emphasizes the need for effective management of municipal waters for biodiversity conservation and food security. (Chito A. Chavez)