The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is seeking better coordination among government agencies and better enforcement of laws to further strengthen its fight against illegal fishing. “We believe that one of the key partners in intensifying the fight against illegal fishing is establishing better coordination with the fisheries’ stakeholders, other relevant sectors and the local government units whose mandate is to take care of the municipal waters,” BFAR national director Eduardo Gongona said at the first National Anti-illegal Fishing Summit Tuesday. In the last three years, BFAR recorded a total of 1,103 apprehensions. Most common violations were employment of unlicensed fisherfolks, fish workers and crew; use of active fishing gears in municipal waters, bay and fisheries management and unauthorized fishing.

Talavera, C. (2018, October 14). BFAR seeks tighter rules to fight illegal fishing. The Philippine Star, p. B4.