Revised order to strengthen the fight against illegal fishing

Carlson B. Alelis

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA), will strengthen its campaign against illegal fishing through a revision of the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO).

The FAO series No. 246-1 of 2018 stipulates that persons captured with the mere possession of equipment used for the Danish Seine or the modified Danish Seine, locally known as "hulbot-hulbot", will be apprehended.

The Secretary of Agriculture, Emmanuel Piñol, said that the previous order, FAO No. 246, only penalized people caught in the act of illegal fishing

"It is difficult to To apprehend the seas, "Piñol said. and fishermen in a dialogue that introduced the new FAO to Jaro, Iloilo City, July 25, 2018.

The new order also states that the presence of equipment for hulbot-hulbot, regardless of the l & # 39; 39, place, is sufficient evidence of vi

FAO No. 246-1 will be implemented nationwide after July 29, according to Piñol.

For administrative cases, those who are directly involved in the exploitation of illegal fishing activities will be fined five times the fish caught or 2 million pesos, whichever is greater.

Fish, nets and other fishing equipment will be confiscated.

Those who participated in the operation will receive a fine of 20,000 PhP or will render community services. 19659003] For criminal cases, those directly involved will serve a prison sentence of two to ten years and pay a fine twice the amount specified for administrative cases.

"If you look at it from a visionary point of view, you will understand that what we are doing will reward us," Piñol said. (PIA-6)