ILOILO City – Intensified anti-illegal fishing operations across Western Visayas have resulted in the apprehension of 86 suspected violators in the first half of 2026.
The Regional Inter-Agency Task Force Against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (RIATF-IUUF) has expanded enforcement efforts through hundreds of sea patrols, inspections and market operations.
The accomplishments were presented during the RIATF-IUUF’s second quarter meeting on June 25, where the task force reported carrying out 859 seaborne operations from January to June 2026, alongside 46 portside boarding inspections, 31 market denial operations, three landing denial operations and 51 information, education and communication activities targeting illegal fishing.
The task force concentrated its enforcement campaign on hulbot-hulbot fishing, trawl fishing, fine-mesh net fishing, dynamite fishing and undocumented commercial fishing vessels.
The intensified operations resulted in 86 apprehensions, with four cases already filed in court. Authorities also collected about P660,000 in fines from violators.
Director Remia Aparri of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas and chairperson of the RIATF-IUUF underscored the importance of sustained collaboration.
“We will work together. I know we have different perspectives, but if we remain committed to our shared direction toward sustainable fisheries, food security, and fish sufficiency, we can move forward together effectively,” said Aparri.
During the meeting, Sheryll Mesa, National Stock Assessment Project Region 6 leader, also presented the status of the country’s Blue Swimming Crab fisheries and discussed government initiatives addressing sanctions imposed by the United States on Philippine blue swimming crab exports.
The RIATF-IUUF reiterated its commitment to intensify collaborative enforcement, strengthen partnerships among local government units, national agencies and coastal communities, and promote sustainable fisheries management to protect marine resources and secure the livelihoods of fishing communities in Western Visayas./PN
