The Bohol Environmental Management Office (BEMO) has issued this call as concerns were raised on the presence of commercial fishers within 15 kilometers off the shore and threaten to deplete the province’s rich fishing grounds. In the meantime Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) Bohol head Maximino Servillon informed that if illegal fishing is not stopped, it could affect our local supply of fish.
According to Servillon the threat of overfishing is real as commercial fishers from Mindanao and neighboring Visayan provinces regularly come to our famous fishing grounds. It is said that the Bohol Sea is among the top 10 fish-rich areas which has become a popular fishing site of commercial fishing vessels. Last week the authority with the cooperation of Coastal Law Enforcement Councils (CLEC) and representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units, started operations in the enforcement of coastal and fisheries laws.
BEMO head Engr. Renato Villaber, told that the three CLEC teams in the province have a common setback with regards to inadequate support from local chief executives. He also said that high-speed big boats are necessary for such operations with support for fuel and training of fish wardens. He further adds that the coastal town mayors have an equally important responsibility in the operations of the CLEC.
Cortes Mayor Apolinaria Balistoy was agreed during the meeting that each CLEC team will formulate operational plans (OPlan) that would engage the local chief executives to actively participate in the implementation of coastal laws. Servillon pointed out that there must be proper delineation of sea boundaries where commercial and municipal fishers can be allowed to fish.
