ILOILO – Despite repeated crackdowns and arrests, illegal fishing remains rampant in the waters of northern Iloilo, exposing the limits of enforcement efforts and underscoring the continuing threat to the province’s marine resources and food security.
In the first week of August, the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force apprehended two fishermen caught using dynamite off the coast of Carles, a town long known for its rich marine biodiversity. The arrests came just weeks after six other violators from the same barangay were nabbed for the same destructive practice.
Authorities admit the repeat offenses show how deeply entrenched illegal fishing remains in the region.
“Our work is not just about stopping illegal activities; it’s about preserving our marine resources for future generations and enhancing the livelihoods of those who depend on them,” stressed Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 6 director Remia Aparri, who recently challenged her law enforcement team to evaluate their accomplishments and the obstacles they continue to face.
Aparri acknowledged that the fight against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) must move beyond mere arrests to include sustained education and engagement with fishing communities.
Still, she underscored the need for tougher, coordinated enforcement if the cycle of repeat violations is to be broken.
BFAR has also turned to science to sharpen its crackdown. Sheryll Mesa, head of the National Stock Assessment Program, said data-driven enforcement is critical: “Decisions driven by evidence will enhance the effectiveness of enforcement actions.”
She noted that closer collaboration between scientists and law enforcers would help target hotspots and strengthen regulations.
BFAR further stressed the importance of community engagement and awareness programs, aimed at fostering a culture of compliance and respect for marine ecosystems among local fishermen.
By involving the fishing communities directly in the conversation about sustainable practices, BFAR aims to create a more cooperative environment, thereby reducing incidents of illegal fishing.
The persistence of dynamite fishing in Carles highlights the difficulty of stamping out destructive practices even with intensified patrols and community programs.
Authorities vow to press harder, warning that failure to stop IUUF will not only devastate Iloilo’s marine ecosystems but also erode the livelihoods of law-abiding fisherfolk who rely on sustainable seas./PN