Four arrested for illegal fishing
WITH its intensified campaign against illegal fishing, Dagupan City’s River and Coastal Protection Management Office (RCPMO) arrested last week in Barangay Pugaro four fishermen caught using prohibited fishing devices.
Arrested on two separate occasions by elements of the RCPMO headed by Manuel L. Gutierrez were Pugaro residents June S. Ferrer, 20; Erick C. Torio, 14; Arnel Q. Gonzales, 23; and Manoy O. Paragas, 17.
Ferrer and Torio were caught around 6:25 p.m. of September 17, while Gonzales and Paragas fell in an entrapment operation around 9:25 p.m. while using car-car or kalukor gadgets.
“Madalas nag-ooperate ang mga ito tuwing gabi. Kung kinakailangan nating pagpuyatan ang mga violators na ito upang sila’y mahuli, gagawin natin,” Gutierrez said.
All four were found to have violated City Ordinance No. 1768-2003, also known as the “Dagupan City Coastal Fishery Resources Management Ordinance of Year 2003”.
Citing Section 68 of the ordinance, Gutierrez said the use of fishing gears and methods that cause extensive damage to fish or marine habitat, or indiscriminately kill fish and aquatic species, are prohibited within the city waters.
Gutierrez pointed out that such practices include, but not limited to, the use of active fishing gears such as kalocor, pomas, talbugan, car-car, oda-of-coronas and kayakas.
The fine for the first offense for each fisherman is P1, 000 plus a requirement to attend a seminar. Succeeding violations will mean a P3,000 fine and confiscation of catch fishing gears.
City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina, in her report to Mayor Benjamin Lim, said “the use of active gear is illegal since its continued operation can scour and destroy the substrate of bodies of water, and thus endanger lives of all fish and fishery resources.”(CIO)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
