The government is creating a West Philippine Sea Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force mainly to address such activities off Zambales following complaints by local fishers, according to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol.
Piñol yesterday said he had instructed Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) national director Eduardo Gongona to head the task force.
Gongona, for his part, said the BFAR would use its resources to ensure the enforcement of Philippine fishing laws.
Earlier this month, Piñol and Gongona visited Zambales to distribute fiberglass boats to fishermen in the province.
“The fisherfolk told me about the illegal and unsustainable fishing practices, which continue to hound the municipal fisherfolk,” Piñol said. “Among these are blast fishing and entry of suspected foreign poachers.”
Piñol promised to provide lawyers to aid in the prosecution of violators.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the value of fish traded worldwide in 2015 was $130 billion. TVJ