Sea patrols to be increased in Tañon Strait against illegal fishers
Press Release Date: April 18, 2016
Oceana urges the government to implement the enhanced General Management Plan that will strengthen law enforcement against commercial fishing in the country’s biggest marine protected area.
Am Prospero Lendio, Protected Area Superintendent for Tañon Strait, said PhP4 million was allocated for two patrol boats that will be used in apprehending illegal fishers as well as commercial fishers who violate park rules.
“We are improving our floating assets and other facilities, so we will be more consistent in patrolling Tañon Strait,” Lendio said. Last year, the Protected Area Office and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources together with the local government units in Tañon Strait and the Philippine National Police caught four commercial fishing vessels during a joint seaborne operation in the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.
“Tañon Strait is a marine biodiversity hotspot. Effective management mechanisms should be put in place, along with strong law enforcement, to ensure that this unique natural heritage is protected and safe from commercial fishing and destructive activities,” said lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President for Oceana Philippines.
More than 200 members of the Protected Area Management Board discussed the enhanced General Management Plan for Tañon Strait last March 10. “It’s important to implement the plan, to ensure the effective management of Tañon Strait in collaboration with our stakeholders,” Lendio said.
The plan aims to protect marine habitats amid the felt impacts of climate change and reduce illegal fishing in Tañon Strait through increased patrolling and apprehension, prosecution of violators, and training of law enforcers.
Oceana is providing assistance to law enforcement personnel, especially the newly designated special prosecutors for protected areas, through training in environment and fisheries laws, in partnership with the Department of Justice, Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Isabelo Montejo, DENR Regional Director for Central Visayas, said collaboration between government agencies and civil society is critical in the protection of Tañon Strait. “The patrol work of our courageous personnel and partners led to a significant decline in the number of commercial fishers within the national park,” he said in a speech during the PAMB general assembly.
Tañon Strait covers 42 towns and cities in the provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental. It is a critical marine habitat for 14 species of dolphins and whales, and harbors extensive mangroves and coral reefs.
Oceana urges the government to implement the enhanced General Management Plan that will strengthen law enforcement against commercial fishing in the country’s biggest marine protected area.
Am Prospero Lendio, Protected Area Superintendent for Tañon Strait, said PhP4 million was allocated for two patrol boats that will be used in apprehending illegal fishers as well as commercial fishers who violate park rules.
“We are improving our floating assets and other facilities, so we will be more consistent in patrolling Tañon Strait,” Lendio said. Last year, the Protected Area Office and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources together with the local government units in Tañon Strait and the Philippine National Police caught four commercial fishing vessels during a joint seaborne operation in the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.
“Tañon Strait is a marine biodiversity hotspot. Effective management mechanisms should be put in place, along with strong law enforcement, to ensure that this unique natural heritage is protected and safe from commercial fishing and destructive activities,” said lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President for Oceana Philippines.
More than 200 members of the Protected Area Management Board discussed the enhanced General Management Plan for Tañon Strait last March 10. “It’s important to implement the plan, to ensure the effective management of Tañon Strait in collaboration with our stakeholders,” Lendio said.
The plan aims to protect marine habitats amid the felt impacts of climate change and reduce illegal fishing in Tañon Strait through increased patrolling and apprehension, prosecution of violators, and training of law enforcers.
Oceana is providing assistance to law enforcement personnel, especially the newly designated special prosecutors for protected areas, through training in environment and fisheries laws, in partnership with the Department of Justice, Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Isabelo Montejo, DENR Regional Director for Central Visayas, said collaboration between government agencies and civil society is critical in the protection of Tañon Strait. “The patrol work of our courageous personnel and partners led to a significant decline in the number of commercial fishers within the national park,” he said in a speech during the PAMB general assembly.
Tañon Strait covers 42 towns and cities in the provinces of Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental. It is a critical marine habitat for 14 species of dolphins and whales, and harbors extensive mangroves and coral reefs.