Press Release
Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Regional Office No. 5
San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur
Email: region5@bfar.da.gov.ph
Website: www.bfar.da.gov.ph
Telefax: (054) 361-2326
BFAR-Bicol apprehends commercial fishing vessel in municipal waters of Pasacao
Pasacao, Camarines Sur – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - Bicol through its Law Enforcement – Quick Response Team (BFAR-5, LEQRT) and BFAR's Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) 3006 Patrol Vessel with Philippine Coast Guard personnel apprehended a 172-ton commercial fishing vessel named F/V JCA Jean Chriscelene from Lucena City inside the municipal waters of Pasacao, Camarines Sur in the early morning of January 5.
The commercial fishing vessel with its boat captain, Nonito Robles and 19 crew members violated Republic Act No. 8550 or "The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998" for operating without a Commercial Fishing Vessel & Gear License, with expired Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate and for having three (3) unlicensed fishworkers on-board.
The vessel and its purse-seine fishing gear were impounded at Pasacao Fish Port while under investigation. A case had been filed at the Camarines Sur Provincial Prosecution Office.
Meanwhile, 84 fish tubs (bañeras) of assorted fishes, mostly composed of roundscad (galunggong) species were found and confiscated. These fishes were distributed to charitable institutions in Naga City and other municipalities in Camarines Sur and to BFAR's post-harvest facility at the Regional Freshwater Fisheries Center in Bula, Camarines Sur for processing.
The BFAR-5 LEQRT was led by Fransciso Ombao, Chief of the Fisheries Regulatory and Resource Management Division. Ombao said that this is the team's first apprehension for 2013. He is optimistic that more illegal fishing vessels will be seized as intensified fishery law enforcement is being implemented in the region.
In 2012, the team apprehended 11 commercial fishing vessels during their seaborne operations against all forms of illegal fishing in the Visayan Sea, Ticao and Burias Pass and Ragay Gulf. (kathilotin)
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For more information, contact:
FRANCISCO P. OMBAO
Chief, Fisheries Regulatory and Management Division
BFAR-5
Tel. No. (054) 478-8904
CP No. 0919-2770295