FRPG 8 Apprehends Trawl Fishers in Sto. Niño, Samar Continuing the Bureau’s bold effort against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) activities in the region, two (2) small scale commercial fishing vessels using trawl fishing gears within the municipal waters of Sto. Nino, Samar were apprehended by the Fisheries Resource Protection Group (FRPG) 8 morning of January 28, 2021.

Both CFVs allegedly violated the following fishery laws: Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 237 s. 2010 or the Regulations Requiring the Installment of Juvenile and Trashfish Excluder Device (JTED) in Trawls in Philippine Waters; Sections 93 (Use of Fine Mesh Net), 95 (Use of Active Gear in Municipal Waters, Bays and Other Fishery Management Areas), 113 (Commercial Fishing Vessel Operators Employing Unlicensed Fisherfolk, Fishworker or Crew), and 121 (Use of Unlicensed Gear) of the amended Fisheries Code of the Philippines.

Fishing nets and fish catch seized from the said fishery law perpetrators are currently under the custody of the FRPG Carigara Substation for proper safekeeping and disposition.

If found guilty, alleged offenders will be liable to a fine Php 10,000 to Php 1M, suspension or cancellation of license, and six (6) months to six (6) years of imprisonment.

FRPG 8 is currently gathering the necessary documents for filing of appropriate cases. BFAR 8 urges the public to report any illegal fishing activities within the waters of Eastern Visayas through the FPLEG 8 Hotline 0956 432 9955. For more information about BFAR 8’s campaign against IUUF activities in Eastern Visayas, you may visit its official website https://region8.bfar.da.gov.ph/.