ILOILO – Authorities seized a motorized fishing boat, fishing gear and catch worth a combined P222,500 in the municipal waters of San Dionisio, Iloilo, as the provincial government intensified its crackdown on illegal fishing operations in the Visayas Sea.
The Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force (IPBDTF), conducting a joint seaborne patrol with the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company and Regional Intelligence Unit 6 on October 21, intercepted the vessel allegedly engaged in illegal ring net fishing, locally known as sensuro.
The boat captain was identified as Jerry Hepolito Ramos, 56, and a resident of Sitio Gamot, Barangay Tiabas, San Dionisio town.
Confiscated during the operation were a motorized fishing boat valued at P150,000, ring net fishing paraphernalia worth P70,000, and half a tub of anchovies, locally known as lobo-lobo, valued at P2,500.
The combined estimated value of the seized vessel, fishing equipment and catch reached P222,500.
According to the Bantay Dagat report, the joint enforcement team was conducting a maritime patrol aboard Iloilo Provincial Patrol Speedboat No. 1, piloted by Ryann Ciles, when operatives spotted the fishing vessel allegedly using prohibited fishing gear.
The authorities immediately approached the vessel, identified themselves and ordered its crew to stop fishing operations and haul in their net.
The interception marked another enforcement action in the provincial government’s continuing campaign against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF), particularly in the coastal waters of northern Iloilo.
The intensified maritime operations are being carried out under the directive of Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr., who has ordered stricter enforcement of fisheries regulations to protect marine resources and prevent destructive fishing practices.
Provincial Administrator Raul N. Banias oversees the IPBDTF’s operations, including logistical and operational support necessary to sustain regular maritime patrols across northern Iloilo and the Visayas Sea corridor.
The provincial government emphasized that municipal waters must remain protected for subsistence and small-scale fisherfolk whose livelihoods depend on the sustainability of coastal fishing grounds.
It also warned that the use of prohibited active fishing gear near shorelines would be met with strict law enforcement.
Authorities maintained that sustained maritime patrols are essential not only to apprehend violators but also to protect fish stocks, preserve marine biodiversity and safeguard the livelihoods of legitimate municipal fisherfolk./PN
