(CDN PHOTO/ MARIAN Z. CODILLA)
Almost a year after the approval of the Provincial ordinance banning the hunting and trade of all species of shark and ray in Cebu, stakeholders admitted that more could have been done to make it effective.
Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Thadeo Ouano admits there are gaps in its implementation.
He said they hope to address the gaps during the ordinance implementation planning workshop held, Wednesday at the Dignitaries Lounge of the Capitol.
Several stakeholders attended the workshop including non-government organizations, commercial fishers, representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and local government units and judicial department.
Maximiano Hontanosa of Cebu Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force said they were able to minimize the illegal hunting and trade of sharks and rays in the province.
He said issues such as filing of the cases against violators and species identification need to be addressed.