Anti-illegal fishing drive intensifies

Law enforcement teams tasked to implement laws prohibiting illegal fishing activities in the province arrested six Cebuanos in two separate operations last week. The anti-illegal fishing campaign has been intensified following reports that the successful marine resources rehabilitation efforts of the province have been yielding increased fish catch for fishermen.

The separation operations were conducted in the seawaters off the towns of Talibon and Maribojoc. A team composed of fish warden Abel Fernandez and Hermogenes Auza chanced upon two people who were fishing with the use of cyanide in the area within the Danajon Reef in Talibon town. The suspects were identified as Ricardo Menguito, 60, and his son Jorge, 20. The two gave their address as Santa Rosa , Lapu-Lapu City. When they were arrested, the suspects were in possession of two plastic containers that yielded oil laced with cyanide. Also recovered from the possession of the suspects were five cyanide cubes that were believed intended for their illegal fishing activities.

The arresting team confiscated the pump boat used by the two for inclusion as evidence in the filing of appropriate charges against them. Meanwhile, another team scored in the campaign by nabbing a group that was fishing in the seas off Maribojoc town. The seaborne patrol composed of PO3 Corelito Curayag and fish warden Narciso Yap accosted two pump boats that were fishing without the necessary permit from the local government unit. Municipal ordinance no. 2 series of 2002 prohibits boats from engaging in fishing activities without a permit from the municipality.

The suspects were identified as Rogelio Campania , Dovel and Marlon Lana and Anastacio Tagaan, all of legal age. All four gave their address as Ferelos, Carcar, Cebu The increased fish catch in the seawaters off Bohol has attracted even fishermen from nearby provinces. This has raised new dangers not only of over-fishing but also the revival of illegal fishing methods.

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