THE Tañon Strait Fisherfolks Federation (TSFF) sought the help of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas to go after public officials who support commercial fishers who operate within the 500,000-hectare protected seascape.
Commercial fishing is legally prohibited in Tañon Strait, after it has been declared a protected seascape.
Over 100 local fisherfolk organizations under the TSFF lamented that commercial fishing boats operate in Tañon Strait almost every day and sometimes intimidate small fishermen.
Venerando Carbon, the federation’s interim president, said they have been working with Bantay Dagat teams in the area to apprehend commercial fishermen.
But some politicians in Cebu and Negros Oriental allegedly intervened for the release of the apprehended commercial fishing vessels.
During the third TSFF forum yesterday, Carbon submitted their petition to Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente, who said they will look closely into the request.