SEVEN fishermen in the town on board two boats were arrested for using fine mesh nets and active gears to catch fish within the territorial waters of Sual and will be charged for violating the Fisheries Code of the Philippines and municipal ordinance on responsible fishing.

Sual Police chief Capt. Roger Calderon identified the suspects on board the first boat as Luisito Castillo, 56; Vito Castillo, 26; and Mark Jevin Mendoza, 26; and Jovel Agang, 35; Joel Cabillan, 51; Marcelino Gulani, 57; and Jerome Gomias, 37, on the second boat.  All are residents of the town.

Calderon said he sent a team to respond to a report about the illegal fishing of some local fishermen within the town’s  municipal waters.

Apprehended individuals caught an accumulated 10 kilograms of assorted fish with an estimated value of PHP700.

Municipal legal officer lawyer Margery Shay de Guzman said the arrested fishermen, if found guilty, will be meted a P20,000 up to PHP100,000 fine with the corresponding imprisonment; the penalty for a violation of the municipal ordinance P2,500.

She urged the fisherfolk in the town to avail of various programs of government that benefit them and to participate in dialogues to address their livelihood issues as she
reminded the communities that the government is providing fishnets, among others not only for their livelihood but to protect the environment as well.

Suspects and confiscated items are now under the custody of the municipal police station for proper disposition.

Agang, one of the fishermen, admitted they knew what they were doing was illegal but they had no choice because it was the only way they can catch more fish. (Jerick Pasiliao)

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