As per the report the Cagayan Valley fisheries bureau has filed criminal charges against the crew of a commercial fishing vessel which was apprehended by fishery law enforcers of Palanan town in Isabela on Saturday. The joint operation was conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources manning the BFAR MCS Patrol Vessel 3007.
LCDR Rhazel Galera, commanding officer of the government vessel, informed that while patrolling off the Pacific seaboard they noticed the presence of buoys used in tuna long line fishing. Galera said that after tracing the said floating markers they noticed a signal in their radar indicating presence of another vessel within their vicinity.
The PCG officer also said that upon inspection, the crew of the fishing vessel showed an expired MARINA papers and likewise failed to produce its Commercial Fishing Vessel and Gear License. CFVGL is a document issued by BFAR to local commercial fishing vessels allowing it to fish at designated Philippine fishing grounds except municipal waters.
They were caught and brought before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Ilagan, Isabela. They were seven Filipino crew members and two (2) Taiwanese officers of the fishing vessel, F/V JVPHIL5, for violation of Sections 86 and 87 of Republic Act 8550. According to Dr. Jovita Ayson, BFAR 2 regional director said the presence of foreigners aboard the fishing vessel constitute poaching.
