Twelve fishermen were apprehended in separate operations against illegal fishing in two cities and a town in Negros Occidental on Friday, July 17, police reported.
The operations involved the alleged use of compressors, fish believed to have been caught through dynamite fishing and the gathering of angel wings, locally known as diwal, without permits.
In Sagay City, three fishermen from Brgy. Molocaboc were apprehended in the Matabas area of the Sagay Marine Reserve at around 1:55 p.m., the police reported.
Police and Sagay Bantay Dagat personnel conducted the operation after receiving information about alleged dynamite fishing in the protected area.
Authorities spotted two pumpboats, but one reportedly fled toward Mambacayao Island in Cebu and escaped pursuing personnel.
The other boat was allegedly found using a compressor for fishing, while its recovered catch tested positive for dynamite fishing based on an examination conducted by a designated fish examiner.
Authorities recovered a fishing boat, a compressor, fishing equipment and around 11 kilograms of fish with a combined estimated value of P30,280.
The three fishermen were placed under the custody of the Sagay Component City Police Station, while the case and recovered items were referred to the Sagay Marine Reserve-Protected Area Management Board.
In Silay City, five fishermen were separately apprehended between 12:50 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the city’s municipal waters.
Police said the fishermen were allegedly using compressors and other active fishing gear without the required permits.
Motorboats, engines and hoses were among the items turned over to the Silay City Bantay Dagat for disposition.
The fishermen face fines and other penalties under the city’s ordinance regulating fishing activities.
Meanwhile, four fishermen from San Enrique were apprehended at around 7:20 p.m. while allegedly gathering diwal in the municipal waters of Valladolid without a permit.
Authorities confiscated two fishing nets and assorted diwal valued at a combined P700
The four opted to pay an administrative fine of P2,500 each, while the confiscated items were turned over to the Valladolid Municipal Agriculture Office.*
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