P100M worth of illegal fish catch, vessels seized by gov’t operatives in Lucena City

TWO purse seine vessels, paraphernalia, and fish harvest with an estimated market worth of more than Php 100 million were seized by Philippine law enforcement authorities today, 09 September 2023, off the coast of Tayabas Bay in Lucena City.

Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL) Commander, CG Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla has directed all its units to strengthen its partnership between the fisheries department and law enforcement agencies in stepping up its efforts to combat illegal fishing and other unlawful activities that permeate the waters of Southern Tagalog.

The Coast Guard Intelligence Group-Southern Tagalog, Naval Forces Southern Luzon, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources- Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement conducted the operations which resulted in the apprehension of two commercial fishing (purse seine) boats namely, the FV Princess Bernice Carmina with 15 crew onboard and FV Lady Yasmin with 16 crew.

Sections 86 and 95 of Republic Act 8550 as amended by Republic Act 10654, often known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, were allegedly violated by the fishermen.

The confiscated fishing vessels and valuables were in the owners’ waiver custody while the case was investigated and appropriate charges were filed.