12 arrested for illegal fishing in Sarangani Bay

MALAPATAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE – Twelve persons were recently apprehended for illegal fishing in the coastal area of Barangay Poblacion, this town after authorities received a report from a concerned citizen.

 

Upon verification of the report, Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) Joy C. Ologuin, together with Municipal Environment Natural Resources Officer Engr. Joey Palma Coliao and men from the town’s police station personally witnessed the illegal activity of the alleged suspects.

 

PASu Ologuin said that the members of the group were blatantly using “Likum”, a prohibited fishing gear, within the SBPS.

 

She said that the group failed to present legal documents to support their operation which led to subsequent arrest and seizure of illegal equipment.

 

PASu Ologuin said that Protected Area Management Board of the SBPS already filed an official complaint on March 5, 2021 at the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of Sarangani against the 12 suspects and the owner of motorized Banca.

 

The complaint stipulated that the respondents have violated the Section 20 (e) and 20 (g) of the Republic Act No. 7586, as amended by the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (ENIPAS) Act of 2018, which prohibits the use of fishing/harvesting practices that destroys marine life or their habitats, as well as the unauthorized operation of motorized conveyances within the protected area.

 

PASu Ologuin said that quick response in the incident was a product of the strengthened operations of the Sarangani Bay Law Enforcement Group to ensure biodiversity conservation and protection within the SBPS. | With reports from PAMO SBPS