Region 9 – After nearly an hour of pursuit, the scurrying crew of a Danish Seine boat surrendered to the joint operatives of the BFAR-9 Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Group (FPLEG) together with the PCG unit of DA-BFAR MCS 3006 on the morning of November 10, 2021. The illegal fishing vessel was sighted by the enforcement team near the Once Islas, Zamboanga City, approximately 500 meters off Siromon Island. As observed, the crew of the target vessel may have noticed the DA-BFAR Patrol Vessel at a distance of about 2 kilometers prompting them to maneuver for evasion.
The suspected vessel can be seen speeding at its maximum speed heading towards the coastal area of Barangay Curuan-Buenavista vicinity waters purposely to evade an enforcement action by utilizing the seaweeds farm nearshore to where the 30-meter class patrol vessel of BFAR cannot navigate. Their evasive action was outsmarted using a Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) which was prepositioned in advance for quick launching from the DA-BFAR MCS 3006. While underway to its location, which was before boarding and inspection of the target fishing vessel, the crew and their boat captain can be seen jumping into the water bringing along with them their valuables.
The apprehending team pursued the fleeing crew and successfully blocked their escape route which was supposedly the nearby mangrove area. At around 10:30 am on the same date, the target fishing vessel was boarded and inspected, and verified as a Modified Danish Seiner (Hulbot-Hulbot). A proper turn-over of custody of items of evidence between BFAR-9 and Barangay Bolong as represented by the Barangay Captain Ruben Coros was executed as supported by a turn-over receipt. From this point, Chairman Coros of Barangay Bolong took over responsibility for the safekeeping/custodial of the fishing vessel, fishing gears, and other paraphernalia.
Similarly, this was done as an enforcement strategy of BFAR-IX by way of involving the community through their local leaders that Hulbot-Hulbot activities in Once Islas and Bolong vicinities must be stopped, demonstrating to the illegal fishing operators that concerned government agencies will be relentless in the fight against illegal fishing. For any concern regarding Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing or any request for assistance, concerned citizens are advised to contact BFAR IX at FPLEG Hotline 0939-936-6832 or (062) 991-8192.
(Source: BFAR Region 9)
