3 vessels held for illegal fishing in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—At least three fishing vessels locally known as “pangulong” (trawler) were caught by law enforcers fishing in the prohibited waters off Burias Pass in Libon town, Albay report reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol said Friday.

Police Senior Inspector Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police public information officer, said joint elements of PNP and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) anti-illegal fishing operatives caught fishing vessels FB Ruth, FB Erna and FB Angelou illegally catching fish inside the coastal waters of the coastal barangay (village) Pantao around 8:00 p.m. Thursday.

The raiding team led by BFAR Marcelo Villafuerte arrested the fishing crew and seized from the vessels a number of “banyeras” (fish buckets) containing assorted kinds of fish and various fishing paraphernalia.

The report said the fishing vessels were allegedly owned by fishing operators from Camarines Sur, one of which is reportedly owned by an unnamed town mayor.

Calubaquib said the vessels were impounded, and the illegally caught fish and its crew were under the custody of the PNP Pantao police station. BFAR and the police will file illegal fishing charges against the crew and the owners of the vessels.

The campaign against illegal fishing in the coastal waters in Albay has been stepped up following the organization of a provincial Coastal Rangers Task Force composed of personnel from Albay provincial fisheries, BFAR, PNP, Army and civil society organization.

The Coastal Rangers would check and apprehend illegal fishing activities and assist local government law enforcement units in its drive against all sorts of illegal fishing activities taking place in their locality. RAM/rga

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