All-out enforcement of ‘hulbot’ ban sought August 24, 2014, Panay. News BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA ILOILO City – Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. has called for an all-out implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order 246 that bans the use Danish Seine or hulbot-hulbot across Western Visayas. In a meeting the governor called recently, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 6, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine National Police – Maritime Command (MARICOM) discussed ways to effectively enforce the ban. “This needs coordination among provinces in the region,” said Provincial Administrator Raul Banias. It was Defensor who proposed the hulbot-hulbot ban three years ago. On the part of Iloilo, Banias said, the first step it took was to augment the Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force with a composite team composed of personnel from the PCG and MARICOM. “With the composite team, our Bantay Dagat could apprehend hulbot-hulbot operators even beyond the territorial waters of Iloilo unlike before,” said Banias. Danish Seine is a fishing gear consisting of a conical net with two long wings that form a bag where the fish are collected. The ends of the net are connected to a rope embedded with buri, plastic strips or other sinkers hauled by a mechanical winch or by manpower. Its use is declared unlawful because it contributes to the destruction of the habitat of fishes and other fishery resources – an act that violates Section 92 of Republic Act (RA) 8550 or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines. According to Banias, hulbot-hulbot operators stopped operating in Iloilo waters following the ban; however, it is still being practiced in other provinces. “Other hulbot-hulbot operators transferred to Bantayan in Cebu, Masbate and Negros,” he said. Fines and penalties vary depending on the violations committed under RA 8550. These include monetary fines, imprisonment, confiscation of catch and fishing gears, and automatic revocation of license. Last month, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against the decision of the Malabon Regional Trial Court, Branch 170 prohibiting the implementation of the hulbot-hulbot ban contained in Fisheries Administrative Order No. 246. The ban was questioned by the Malabon-Navotas Hulbot-Hulbot Fisherfolks Association Inc. The Supreme Court said the decision of the Malabon court was “founded on grave abuse of discretion.” Defensor said this decision of the high tribunal strengthens the campaign against the destructive fishing gear./PN
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 05:11:31 +0000
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