ILOILO CITY (PIA) --  The Iloilo provincial government strengthened its campaign against illegal fishing operations.

In the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting, the Iloilo Provincial Police Office reported that 450 individuals were arrested due to illegal fishing as of June 10, 2023.

The data is 765.38% higher compared to the previous year of the same period with only 52 persons apprehended.

An estimated P1,277,060.00 worth of fish has also been confiscated mostly in the northern part of Iloilo.

Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. said that the province is coordinating with concerned government agencies and local government units to establish a database of assets and a map that states the jurisdiction of municipal waters.

The captains of the two boats and about 40 crew members are residents of Brgy. Botongon, of Estancia town.  

Charges were filed against them on June 16, before the Iloilo Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Section 97 of Republic Act 10654 also known as An Act to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

According to the provincial government, the fishing boats, accessories, and gears were impounded and brought to the custody of the Task Force. Some 20 tubs of assorted fish were also recovered and will be disposed at the district hospitals.

Danish seine is a destructive form of fishing and is banned under the Fisheries Code of the Philippines.

Defensor, for his part, lauded the efforts of the task force and vowed to provide them with more resources such as patrol boats. (AAL/LMLE/PIA Iloilo/With reports from Iloilo Provincial Government)