THE END OF HULBOT-HULBOT PANAY NEWS, Editiorial, November 26, 2014 PANAY News joins environmental groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in lauding the move of the governors of the provinces along the Visayan Sea to strictly enforce the law prohibiting the destructive Danish seine (hulbot-hulbot) fishing practice, which involves dragging long wire warps underwater. The practice destroys corals and other marine resources. This is a very good development, especially for those who have been advocating for the ban of hulbot-hulbot because it really causes serious destruction to our marine life. Danish seine and its modified forms are active fishing gears often used in commercial fishing. It consists of a conical net with a pair of wings, the ends of which are connected to a rope embedded with buri, plastic strips, sinkers or other similar materials to serve as scaring or herding device hauled through a mechanical winch or by manpower. However, it was found out that hulbot-hulbot contributes to the destruction of marine habitats and other fishery resources, thereby violating Section 92 of Republic Act 8550, also known as the Fisheries Code of the Philippines. The Code prohibits the use of fishing gears that destroy coral reefs, sea grass beds and other fishery marine life habitats. During the recent Visayan Sea Summit in Negros Occidental, governors, including Iloilo’s Arthur Defensor Sr., agreed to join forces in implementing the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 246 in the Visayan Sea, one of the richest fishing grounds in the country suffering depletion because of destructive fishing activities. FAO 246 seeks a nationwide ban of hulbot-hulbot and buli-buli fishing in the country. Just recently, the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against a court order prohibiting the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) from implementing FAO 246. Now, local government units, especially those surrounding the Visayan Sea, can work collaboratively to enforce this law with strong will. In Iloilo alone, almost 575 fishermen were arrested for using trawl, hulbot-hulbot and other illegal fishing paraphernalia since Jan. 1. Some were filed with criminal charges for violating Republic Act 8550, while others were freed after paying a compromise fine. So long as there are illegal fishermen operating in the region, or anywhere else in the country, there should be no letup in the campaign.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 01:51:54 +0000
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