In order to curb illegal fishing in the Bicol region, the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC), Sub-committee on Fishing and Marine Environment Protection, has organized a multi-agency task force. This force would go after commercial and small fishers who persist in pursuing their illegal fishing practices in the rich fishing grounds of Bicol.
BFAR regional office would head the task force and its members will be drawn from the personnel from the Police regional office, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Maritime Police, the Philippine Army, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Interior and Local government (DILG) and from the concerned local government units.
Nine Bicol based bishops asked the President to compel and enable marine and coastal resources authorities to go after and prosecute commercials fishers who violate the law covering municipal waters, as well as, small fishers who practice illegal fishing activities.
The Bishops also ask the President to order the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and BFAR to expedite the formal demarcation of municipal water boundaries as stipulated by the Fishery Code of the Philippines (R 8550).
Chief Supt. Cecilio B. Calleja, Bicol Police regional director, said that the task force is currently preparing its operational plan on how best to operate to blunt the operations of illegal fishers.
