Iloilo cited for drive vs illegal fishing

A fishing boat passes by Pan de Azucar Island in Concepcion town, northern Iloilo province. The fishing grounds of northern Iloilo linked to the Visayan Sea are rich in marine resources. The provincial government of Iloilo has been commended for efforts to protect the Visayan Sea most especially from illegal fishing. GUIJO DUEÑAS/PN

ILOILO – The provincial government was commended for efforts to protect the Visayan Sea most especially from illegal fishing.

“(U)pon resuming the leadership of the province in 2010, you embarked on a relentless campaign to eradicate illegal fishing,” read part of the certificate received by Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr.

It noted that the Visayan Sea was “the heart of marine wealth on Earth” and northern Iloilo “among the richest of the very rich, yet, after decades of abuse that stemmed from greed it has been reduced to a sorry state.”

Defensor received the commendation from United Nations’ regional coordinator for Environmental Law & Governance Andrew Raine and the president of the Institute of Governance and Sustainable Development based in Washington DC, Durwood Zaelke on April 22 during the observance of Earth Day in Bantayan Island, Cebu.

Also present were retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and environmentalist Atty. Antonio Oposa Jr. of SEA Camp in Bantayan Island.

Since 2010, the provincial government undertook the following to protect the Visayan Sea:

* policy formulation – the Provincial Agriculture Office and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office helped municipal environment offices in developing approaches to coastal resource management

* established marine protected areas

* assisted coastal municipalities in the campaign against illegal fishing

* empowered small fishermen to guard their municipal waters from illegal fishers

* helped thousands of displaced fisherfolks displaced by super typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013/PN

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