BFAR Reports Illegal Fishing in Some Sorsogon Coastal Areas

SORSOGON CITY, Sept. 3 (PNA) - Illegal fishing is still rampant in some coastal areas in the province of Sorsogon, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) provincial office.

Sorsogon provincial fisheries and aquatic resources chief Gil Ramos said that dynamite and other modes of illegal fishing are more rampant in the coastal areas of Magallanes town.

He said that the illegal fishing has been reported to the office of the Mayor of Magallanes. "There is no action to stop the illegal acts that is why we are requesting the provincial government as well as other government agencies to help us enforce the law."

Ramos said that for the past years, small fishermen have been complaining regarding the operation of dynamite fishing in the Magallanes coastal areas. "We need to police the area to protect the marine resources and the livelihood of small fishermen in this coastal town."

According to Ramos, they are seeking the support of a private organization to help stop the illegal fishing activities in the area.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office here in Bikol has deployed a separate team to investigate the reported rampant illegal fishing in Magallanes. (PNA)