ILOILO CITY — A total of 71 fishermen from four fishing vessels were arrested for illegal fishing off the coast of Carles, the northernmost town in Iloilo province.

ONE of the four fishing vessels impounded by the task force for illegal fishing in Carles town, Iloilo province last March 19. (Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force)
A team from the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force led by Police Staff Sgt. Roderick Asturias nabbed them during a one-day operation last Tuesday, March 19.
These fishing boats were F/B RL piloted by Elpedio Mata of Bantayan Island, Cebu; F/B Rag Warriors piloted by Junnel Nopoito of Bantayan Island, Cebu; F/B Stingray piloted by Bobby Gallardo of Carles, and an unmarked fishing vessel piloted by Chito Bacalang of Carles.
Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the operation is part of the strong campaign of Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. against illegal fishing.
These fishermen were allegedly engaged in “hulbot-hulbot” (Danish Seine), considered as illegal fishing with gears consisting of nets attached to heavy sinkers.
The hulbot-hulbot fishing method is known to destroy corals, especially on the Visayan Sea.
The fishermen were charged for violating the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 before the Iloilo Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
The task force impounded the four fishing vessels and fishing gears. Around 58 tubs of assorted fish were recovered.