BACOLOD City – Eight fishermen from Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, were apprehended for allegedly engaging in illegal fishing during a seaborne patrol in the coastal waters of Barangay Enclaro, Binalbagan, on Sunday, September 27.
The Bantay Dagat Task Force, assisted by local police personnel, conducted the operation at around 4:10 a.m. after allegedly catching the fishermen operating boats equipped with prohibited trawling gear.
The apprehended boat captains were identified only as aliases “July,” 39; “Jao,” 47; “Elmerio,” 36; “Ry-ry,” 35; “Jun-jun,” 37; “Lexto,” 24; “Cris,” 24; and “Ruru,” 34. All are residents of different barangays in Himamaylan City.
According to the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station, the fishermen allegedly violated Sections 34 and 41 of Municipal Ordinance No. 12-02, Series of 2012, which regulate fishing activities within the town’s municipal waters.
Section 34 prohibits the operation of commercial trawls, commercial purse seines and commercial hulbot-hulbot, while Section 41 prohibits the use of active fishing gear in municipal waters.
Authorities confiscated eight trawling nets with an estimated value of P110,000 and 15 trawling boards worth approximately P80,000, bringing the total value of the seized fishing equipment to P190,000.
Under the municipal ordinance, each violator faces a fine of P2,500.
The eight fishermen were advised to settle the corresponding fines, while the confiscated fishing equipment was placed under the custody of the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.
Authorities said the operation was part of the continuing efforts of the local government and Bantay Dagat Task Force to enforce municipal fishing regulations, prevent destructive fishing practices and protect marine resources in Binalbagan’s coastal waters./PN
