Eleven fishermen were apprehended after being caught using air compressors while fishing off Araceli, Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Tuesday, Sept. 14.
In joint law enforcement of the PCG personnel and volunteers of the Araceli Bantay Dagat, they intercepted MBCA Andro with five fishermen on board and MBCA Ferlyn with six fishermen on board while engaged in illegal fishing activities on September 9.
The apprehended motorbancas and 11 fishermen were brought to the Coast Guard Substation Araceli. Seized from them were illegal fishing paraphernalia with a market value of P53,700.
The PCG said charges will be filed against the fishermen for violation of Municipal Ordinance No. 42, series of 1996.
The Coast Guard added that motorbancas and confiscated fishing items were turned over to the Araceli local government unit (LGU) while the apprehended fishermen settled the fines based on the municipal ordinance.