One of the two fishing vessels impounded by the task force for engaging in illegal fishing in Gigantes Island, Carles town, Iloilo province. (Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force)
ILOILO CITY -- Around 40 fishermen from two fishing vessels were arrested for illegal fishing off the coast of Carles, the northernmost town in Iloilo province.
The Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force led by Staff Sergeant Renatitio Gadian Jr. arrested the 40 fishermen near Asluman village of Gigantes Island.
The task force subsequently filed charges against the fishermen for violating the Act to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office on June 16.
The fishermen on board the two fishing vessels were allegedly engaging in ‘hulbot-hulbot’ (Danish Seine), a method of fishing that employs a surrounding nets called seine that are attached to heavy sinkers.
This method is prohibited as it destroys corals of the Visayan Sea, which is considered as one of the richest fishing grounds in the country.
The task force also impounded the two fishing boats and the fishing gears. Around 20 tubs of assorted fish were recovered.
Both Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias lauded the task force for maintaining the anti-illegal fishing campaign of the provincial government.