Mayor Belen seeks strict enforcement of fishery law
MAYOR Belen T. Fernandez called for the strict enforcement of Republic Act No. 8550, the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, during a coordination meeting with three national law enforcement agencies on June 5
The meeting was organized after the City Agriculture Office recently apprehended on two occasions at the Dagupan Fish Market more than 2-3 tons of fish harvested through dynamite fishing.
In the first case, the fish varieties included galunggong, dalagang bukid lapad and bilog, and salay ginto and salay batang, all coming from Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, valued at P305,000.
The second apprehension involved a dynamite fisher from Agoo, La Union who blasted the fish out of the water off Barangay Pugaro in Dagupan City on May 31.
The meeting was attended by the Philippine National Police headed by P/Supt. Christopher N. Abrahano, the Philippine Coastguard headed by Petty Officer 1 Ferdinand Bartolome, and the Maritime Police headed by P/Sr. Inspector Processo Semana.
NO TO ILLEGAL FISHING
City Agriculture Officer Emma Molina, who was also in the meeting, said the mayor wants to strengthen coordination among these agencies not only in the campaign against dynamite fishing but also in apprehending traders who attempt to pass on dynamited fish.
“We have no direct police power to enforce the law. Now that they have committed to help, then we can now always call on them to help us strictly enforce the law,” Molina said.
Fernandez said the city government is determined to puruse its advocacy in putting a stop to illegal fishing, prticulalry denying a market for dynamited fish in the city.
“This is also to protect our rich marine resources which are being destroyed with impunity through the use of explosives,” Fernandez stressed.
PENALTIES
The law provides that mere possession of explosive, noxious or poisonous substances or electro fishing devices for illegal fishing is punishable by imprisonment ranging from six months to two years while actual use is punishable by imprisonment ranging from five to 10 years without prejudice to the filing of separate criminal cases when the use of the same result to physical injury or loss of human life.
Dealing in, selling, or in any manner disposing of, for profit, illegally caught/gathered fisheries species is punishable by imprisonment ranging from six months to two years.
In all cases, the explosives, noxious or poisonous substances and or electrical devices, as well as the fishing vessels, fishing equipment and catch shall be forfeited.–LVM
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