THE regional Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) will focus on identifying hotspots of illegal fishing in northern Cebu.
“I am meeting with the Coastal Law Enforcement Alliance Region (CLEAR-7) and we will soon divulge the details,” BFAR-7 Director Andres Bojos told reporters in yesterday’s press conference.
There are five vessels from the BFAR-7 — four from the Navy and five from the Coast Guard — that are deployed within the protected areas to monitor illegal fishing.
Lawyer Gloria Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, also called on local government units to enforce higher penalties for violators of national environmental laws.
The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) met with local officials and non-government organizations (NGOs) to discuss issues concerning the Tañon Strait Area Seascape (TSPS).