DENR zeroes in on Tañon Strait poachers
CEBU — At least 54 people are facing criminal complaints before different prosecutors’ offices in Central Visayas after they were caught allegedly poaching in Tañon Strait.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 (DENR-7) recently filed a case against commercial fishermen before the Toledo City Prosecutor’s Office, and provincial prosecutor’s office in Cebu and in Negros Oriental for violating Section 20 of Republic Act (RA) 7586, also known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System or NIPAS of 1992.
The agency also apprehended four fishing boats used by those caught undertaking illegal fishing activities from to October this year. These fishing boats — FB San Vicente Ferrer, FB Sto Niño, FB Blue Heaven and FB Adianne are in custody of Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS)-Protected Area Superintendent in Badian, Cebu.
According to the DENR, the fishermen were caught illegally fishing in TSPS waters, resulting in their immediate apprehension through a joint seaborne operation conducted by DENR with operatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 and the Philippine National Police.
Section 20 of RA 7586 prohibits the “hunting, destroying, disturbing, or mere possession of any plants or animals or products derived therefrom without a permit from the Management Board.” It also prohibits the use of motorized equipment without permits.
A similar law also states that any person found guilty of violating such provision shall be fined not more than P500,000 exclusive of the value of the damage or imprisonment for not more than six years, or both, as determined by the court.
With authorities observing incessant illegal fishing activities in the area, DENR-7 Director Isabelo Montejo has directed the protected area superintendent of TSPS and some protected area rangers to conduct regular monitoring, patrol, and surveillance operation within the entire stretch of TSPS against illegal fishing activities.