Through the strengthened alliance of the Fisheries Resource Protection Group (FRPG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the region, five (5) small scale commercial fishing vessels operating within the municipal waters of San Vicente, Northern Samar have been apprehended on or around 10 p.m. of July 11, 2020.

All of the boat captains and crews are residents of Sorsogon province. They were immediately brought to the FRPG 8 Victoria Substation for interview and proper documentation. On the other hand, the apprehending team seized all of their fishing gears and confiscated their fish catch.

Alleged perpetrators have violated Sections 86 (Unauthorized Fishing) ,95 (Use of Active Gear in Municipal Waters, Bays and Other Fishery Management Areas) ,98 ( lllegal Use of Superlights or Fishing Light Attractor) ,113 (Commercial Fishing Vessel Operators Employing Unlicensed Fisherfolk, Fishworker or Crew) and 121 (Use of Unlicensed Gear) of the Amended Philippine Fisheries Code. They are to face an administrative fine of Php 20,000 to Php 100,000 and an imprisonment of two (2) years to ten (10) years if proven guilty.

The apprehending team is currently on the process of preparing the necessary documents for filing of appropriate charges. Withal, BFAR 8 encourages the public to report and provide reliable information of any witnessed Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) Activities within Eastern Visayas to 09564329955 and coordinate with their respective Local Government Units.