ILOILO — This province’s campaign against illegal fishing scored another major enforcement victory after authorities intercepted a fishing vessel allegedly engaged in the banned Danish Seine or “hulbot-hulbot” operation off the coast of Carles, leading to the arrest of its boat captain and the impounding of the vessel and its fishing gear.
The August 1 operation was carried out by joint elements of the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force (IPBDTF), Second Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) in the waters off Barangay Lantangan, Carles.
Authorities said the boat captain was a 42-year-old resident of Barangay Botongon, Estancia, Iloilo who was operating the vessel with 15 crew members on board.
“Hulbot-hulbot” is illegal because it uses heavy tom weights and weighted scarelines that are dragged along the seabed to drive fish into the net. The method can destroy coral reefs, seagrass beds and other marine habitats, damage fishery resources and leave ecosystems that may take years to recover.
The Bantay Dagat Task Force impounded the fishing boat and its equipment for allegedly violating Section 97 of Republic Act No. 10654, or the law eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, in relation to Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 246-1, which prohibits the operation of Danish Seine and Modified Danish Seine fishing methods in Philippine waters.
The boat captain was detained at the Carles Municipal Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges.
His 15 crew members, however, were released because they are not covered by the penal provisions of Section 97 of RA 10654 in relation to FAO 246-1./PN
