QUEZON -- A commercial fishing vessel was caught in the act of using unauthorized methods by the joint government agencies at the municipal waters of Catanauan in this province.
The Quezon-Bureau of Aquatic Resources-4A Fishery Law Enforcement Group (BFAR 4A-FPLEG)-Team Padre Burgos, Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard spotted the vessel and upon inspection, they found out it was using drift gill net, said Danilo Larita Jr., Fishery Law Enforcement Officer on Saturday early morning.
One of the many reasons why driftnets are illegal is the fact that they are often used to catch dolphins, whales, sharks, and sea turtles.
Larita said the commercial fishing vessel named FBca PAR-3 is owned by Cristina Par, a resident of Barangay Daungan, and boat captain Arvin Batugon, a resident of Poblacion 4, both of Catanauan town.
Par and Batugon are now facing charges in violation of sections 86, 89, 113 and 121 of the R.A. 8550 (The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) as amended by R.A.10654, an act to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The fishing vessel was towed to BFAR Mariculture in Padre Burgos town for custody and safekeeping, said Larita.