Local government officials have been directed to take a bigger role in securing aquatic resources and local officials may be held liable for failing to act against prohibited fishing activities in their respective areas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Monday. In a statement, the DILG reminded that among the prohibited fishery activities are the catching of threatened or endangered species; contributing to aquatic pollution; using fine mesh net; coral exploitation and exportation; muro-ami and other methods and gears that are destructive to coral reefs and marine habitats; and fishing through explosives, noxious, poisonous substance or electricity. In Memorandum Circular No. 2018-59 issued recently, DILG Officer in Charge Eduardo M. Año cautioned that LGUs may be held accountable for their action or inaction towards the monitoring and regulation of fishery activities in municipal waters as part of their territorial jurisdictions.

LGUs to secure waters vs destructive fishing. (2018, July 31). Manila Bulletin, p. B4.