Navy Apprehends Vessels Engaged in Illegal Fishing In Pangasinan

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Thursday, 03 September 2009

The Navy in coordination with the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) apprehended five fishing boats engaged in illegal fishing in Pangasinan on Tuesday evening, 01 September 2009. Two Navy vessels- BRP Alberto Navarette (PG 394) and Diesel Fast Craft 317 (DF 317)- were immediately dispatched after Naval Forces Luzon (NAVFORNOL) Command received information about an ongoing illegal fishing activity in San Fabian town.

The Navy vessels intercepted the five fishing boats past 10PM northwest off Guecet Pt, Dagupan. The five fishing boats identified as F/B St Jude, F/B Jinky-1, F/B Blade Maker, F/B Lady Liza, and F/B Hannah Gayle were caught fishing using fine mesh net, which is a violation of Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. Confiscated from the five fishing boats were an undetermined volume of fish species and fishing gears approximately worth P120,000.00. The boats with a total crew of 20 personnel were also operating without pertinent documents. The confiscated items and the boat crew were turned over to local MFARMC and PNP officials.

With its goal of combating illegal fishing activities in the area, Naval Forces Northern Luzon (NAVFORNOL) Command have intensified its maritime patrol and maritime law enforcement operations in its area of responsibility. NAVFORNOL has also strengthened its tie-up with various local government units and other government agencies in northern Luzon as a way to help local fisher folks from being deprived of their income due to illegal fishing activities in the north.