A silent but destructive war against Iloilo’s marine environment has been ongoing, facilitated by the illegal use of “super hulbot” fishing methods. These methods, which involve dragging nets across the sea floor, are catastrophically harmful to marine habitats, including seagrass beds and coral reefs that provide the spawning grounds for fish. The Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force (PBDTF) has ramped up its efforts, seizing eight vessels in the last six months for employing these banned techniques.

Empowering communities to safeguard Iloilo's fisheries. (2024, July 8). Panay News, p. 6.