As part of the campaign to protect the city’s marine resources, the Fisheries Law Enforcement Team (FLET) maintains its regular sea-borne patrol operations in the coastal waters of Tacloban City.

Based on available records, the office conducted eleven apprehensions for the months of January and February. The violations ranged from the use of the Danish seine fishing method (hulbot-hulbot), compressor fishing, gill nets, and scarring devices, which are deemed illegal under City Ordinance Numbers 2003-8-138, 2003-8-319, and 2015-1-76, and Section 95 of RA 10654, or “An Act to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, amending Republic Act No. 8550, known as the “Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.”

However, no case of dynamite fishing was reported by the team for January or February.

Violators were turned over to the police authorities for proper disposition.

According to Ismael Ambe, FLET Officer-in-Charge, two teams take turns patrolling for 24 hours daily in the five coastal bodies of water within the jurisdiction of the city, namely Cancabato Bay, Panalaron Bay, Anibong Bay, San Juanico Strait, and San Pedro Bay. The office also maintains a round-the-clock patrol of Dio Island, where a fish sanctuary is located. Two motorized bancas with 16-horsepower engines serve this purpose.

Meanwhile, the office is in the process of upgrading their patrol and logistics assets and setting up additional substations, said Ambe.

The proposed FLET substations are being planned to be located in Tagpuro and along the coastal boundary of Tacloban City and the municipality of Palo located in Payapay, San Jose, to cover a wider area.

The official also said that they are set to conduct “refresher” seminars on fishery laws and regulations for their 32 enforcers this coming April 11–14. A resumption of the “Pulong-pulong” in barangays is also targeted for May of this year with the aim of informing fisherfolk of existing fishery laws and ordinances and spreading red tide awareness. It also seeks to promote partnerships and cooperation between the city government and the fishing sector.

The office also maintains its daily coastal cleanup activities as part of its extension program.

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via H.J. Roca/CIO