ILOILO – A fishing vessel allegedly engaged in the destructive Danish seine fishing method tried to escape after being caught in the act by authorities during a seaborne patrol off Carles town, resulting in the apprehension of its 21-year-old captain and two crewmen.
The unnamed vessel, carrying 23 people, was spotted allegedly conducting Danish seine fishing, locally known as “hulbot-hulbot,” in the waters off Barangay Asluman on Sept. 12.
The joint operation was conducted by the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force, 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company and Regional Intelligence Unit 6.
According to an incident report submitted by the Bantay Dagat team led by Police Chief Master Sergeant Ariel Palmera to the office of Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, authorities approached the vessel after seeing it allegedly engaged in the prohibited fishing activity.
Instead of immediately complying with orders to stop, however, those aboard allegedly attempted to flee by untying the rope connected to the vessel’s scaring line and starting the boat.
Authorities identified the boat captain as Ven Darrel Fuentes Gazer, 21, of Pilar, Roxas, Capiz.
Two crewmen who were allegedly seen helping untie the rope during the escape attempt were identified as John Peñaranda Alvarez, 20, and Jessie Navarro Destor, 23, both residents of Barangay Pantalan, Carles.
Authorities seized the fishing vessel, its engine and other accessories allegedly used in illegal fishing, along with assorted fish contained in three tubs with an estimated value of P15,000.
Gazer, Alvarez and Destor were informed of their alleged violations, particularly Section 97 of Republic Act (RA) 10654, or the amended Philippine Fisheries Code, in relation to Fisheries Administrative Order 246-1 and Sections 86, 115 and 123 of RA 10654.
They were also apprised of their constitutional rights in a language they understood before being turned over to the Carles Municipal Police Station.
The remaining 20 crewmen were released because authorities determined they were not subject to the penal provisions cited against the three apprehended individuals.
The operation forms part of the continuing campaign of the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force and law enforcement agencies against illegal fishing activities in the province’s municipal waters.
“Hulbot-hulbot” is an active, destructive commercial fishing method. It uses a cone-shaped net with two long sides called wings. The ends of the net connect to ropes decorated with plastic strips, pieces of palm leaves (buri), or weights. As the boat pulls the ropes, the flashing plastic and scraping weights scare fish and drive them directly into the center of the net. Heavy metal or concrete weights (linggote) are attached to sink the ropes to the sea floor.
The heavy weights and scraping ropes smash and destroy fragile coral reefs, seagrass beds.
Damaged marine habitats take many years to heal and grow back. and fish breeding grounds./PN
