THE Regional Maritime Office 6 (RMO6) was able to arrest 391 persons engaged in illegal fishing in Western Visayas in four months. With this, the RMO 6 concluded that illegal fishing has declined when compared to that of last year.
"This is because of the non-stop operations of the RMO, Bantay Dagat, provincial and municipal governments, RMO6 regional director Agustin Molina said.
RMO 6 report showed that of January 1 to the month of April several persons were arrested and charged in court and impounded 42 pump boats.
The province of Guimaras and Antique has the highest number of arrested persons with 15, followed by the 603rd in Negros Occidental with 12, then by Roxas City with seven and Boracay with three.
The same persons violated section 86 of RA 8550 otherwise known as unauthorized fishing or engaging in other unauthorized fisheries activities.
Other most violated laws were section 90 or using of active gear in the municipal waters and bays and section 88 or fishing through explosives, noxious or poisonous substance and other electricity devices.
Molina said during their operations the market value of their confiscated assorted fishes has reached to P1.5 million while the fish gears they impounded have also reached to P6.6 million. "They were already charged before the court. We will not stop our operations against illegal fishing and we are asking the help of the community to join us in our campaign to protect our coral reefs and other marine habitat," Molina said.
The RMO was able also to arrest 150 persons who violated RA 8550 during their operations in November to December 2006. Molina is optimistic that they could arrest more violators as soon as their other boats in Estancia, Bacolod City and in Boracay would operate after a repair.
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