Zamboanga del Sur – This year another series of Fishery Law Enforcement Operations resulted in the apprehension of several violators of the country’s Fishery Laws. The simultaneous and collaborative efforts of the BFAR-IX FPLEG, Philippine Coast Guard and PNP Maritime Group and other partner law enforcement agencies across the Zamboanga Peninsula Region resulted in significant accomplishments for the first quarter of 2022.
1.) On January 11, 2022, during the conduct of Joint Landing Denial Operation at PFDA Wharf, Sangali, Zamboanga City with PNP Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) Zamboanga City ensued to the apprehension of one (1) Commercial Fishing Vessel (CFV), FV ROXANNE for violation of Sec. 113- Commercial Fishing Vessel Operators Employing Unlicensed Fisherfolk, Fishworker or Crew.
2.) Also, the BFAR-IX FPLEG Team stationed in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay conducted another Fishery Law Enforcement field operation in the implementation of the Fishery Laws, Rules and Regulations. On February 2, 2022, a Mobile Fisheries Checkpoint was established at the National Highway, Brgy. Buluan, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay to avert and deter any forms of illegal fishing activities that may have outplayed the series of maritime seaborne patrol operations. The team inspected fish carriers and/or vehicles containing or transporting fish and fishery products to other parts of the region and other neighboring regions in Mindanao. The team inspected a total of 14 fish carriers, 12 were found transporting without a Local Transport Permit (LTP) required by the law. Shippers were instructed to comply with the regulations on the issuance of LTP.
3.) On February 11, 2022, the BFAR-IX FPLEG on board DA-BFAR MCS Vessel 3006 manned by PCG Unit on the course of Maritime and Monitoring, Control and Surveillance patrol operations, boarded and inspected one (1) light boat fishing vessel LB RCT 958 fishing in the vicinity waters 3.4 NM off Sinonog Island, Zamboanga City. The violator was charged with penalties for violating FAO 262- Regulation on the Use of Superlights and Fishing Light Attractors in Commercial Fishing, Section 86- Unauthorized Fishing, and Section 90- Unregulated Fishing of RA 10654 as amended after failing to present pertinent documents or licenses and permits.
4.) On February 15, 2022, the PCG Unit on board DA-BFAR MCS Vessel 3006 intercepted one (1) Modified Danish Seine locally known as “Hulbot-Hulbot” vessel coming from Brgy. Buluan, Municipality of Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay in actual fishing operation at the vicinity waters 9.5 NM E off Panibugan Islands, Zamboanga City. The boat captain and the owner were issued a Notice of Violation for breach of FAO 246-1 “Amending FAO No. 246 on the Banning of the Operation of Danish Seine and Modified Danish Seine in Philippine Waters”, Section 97- Ban on Muro-Ami, Other Methods and Gear Destructive to Coral Reefs and Other Marine Habitat, and Section 113- – Commercial Fishing Vessel Operators Employing Unlicensed Fisherfolk, Fishworker or Crew.
5.) On February 21, 2022, in the municipal waters of Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte, a commercial fishing vessel FV JUMRATHIA-3 owned by a resident of Leon Postigo, ZDN was apprehended by the combined team of BFAR-IX FPLEG, PNP Maritime Group and LGU Sindangan in actual fishing operation inside municipal waters, 3.1 NM NE off Brgy. Tigbao, Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte. After a thorough inspection, the apprehending team issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the Boat Captain and Boat Operator for violations of Section 86- Unauthorized Fishing, Section 95-Use of Active Gear in Municipal Waters, Bays and other Fishery Management Areas, and Section 113-Commercial Fishing Vessel Operators Employing Unlicensed Fisherfolk, Fishworker or Crew.
6.) On March 3-5, 2022 a Joint Seaborne Operation by FPLEG Team Zamboanga Del Norte together with partner LGU Bantay Dagat and PNP MPS Sindangan resulted in the apprehension of one (1) commercial fishing vessel FV UBERT-1 (9.29 GT) using Drift Gillnet in actual fishing at vicinity waters 5.2 NM Southeast off Langoyan Point, Sindangan, ZDN for violation of Sec. 86 Unauthorized Fishing and Sec. 95 Use of Active Gear in Municipal Waters, Bays and Other Fishery Management Areas of the amended fisheries code or RA 10654.
7.) On March 11, 2022, in the province of Zamboanga Del Sur, the BFAR-IX FPLEG with PNP MARPSTA Pagadian City conducted a joint maritime patrol and monitoring, control and surveillance operation in the vicinity municipal waters of their area of responsibility. At about 6:09 am on the same day, a commercial fishing vessel FV PRINCE KYLE 2 (15.40 GT) was intercepted in an actual fishing operation at 3.54 NM ENE off Tagalo Point, Dumalinao, Zamboanga Del Sur. The Boat Captain and Boat Owner/Operator were issued a Notice of Violation for violation of Section 113- Commercial Fishing Vessel Operators Employing Unlicensed Fisherfolk, Fishworker or Crew after some of its crews failed to present valid Fisherman’s License.
8.) Series of Market and Landing Denial Operations, as well as Inspection of Local Buying Stations of Crabs and Shrimps, were also conducted on March 22, 25 and 31. A total of eight Buying Stations of locally produced fish and fishery commodities in Kabasalan were informed and instructed to comply with regulatory requirements of Local Transport Permit for commodities that will be shipped or transported outside the ZamPen region. In Zamboanga City market stalls and the fish landing area inside the PFDA Complex were also checked and inspected which resulted in the issuance of a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the owner and operator of a commercial fishing vessel (FV ANINA-2) for violation of Section 113 of RA 10654 as amended- Employing Unlicensed Fisherfolk, Fishworker or Crew. The owner later then offered to settle and paid the amount of penalty imposed upon him through the Regional Adjudication Committee Secretariat of BFAR.
(Source: BFA Region 9)