BFAR-7 arrests two “hulbot-hulbot” operators from Cebu, fines over P600K each

CEBU CITY -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7)-Central Visayas through its  Fisheries Management, Regulatory and Enforcement Division (FMRED) has arrested and penalized two commercial fishers from the towns of Bantayan and Madridejos who were caught using the Danish Seine or modified Danish Seine method of fishing, locally known as “hulbot-hulbot” or “liba-liba,” which is strictly prohibited and considered very destructive to coral reefs and to the marine life habitat in general.

According to Josefina Flores, head of BFAR7-FMRED that the Fisheries Resource Protection Group (FRPG) arrested two medium-scale commercial boat operators in the waters off Santa Fe town in Bantayan Islands, Cebu on October 10 and administrative complaints were file against the operators before the adjudication committee secretariat headed by Atty. Mary Rose Lituanas.

Each violator was penalized with over P600,000 in settlement fine. Both erring operators were also found employing unlicensed fish workers or crew.  Their fish catch was turned over to the Santa Fe Municipal Government for proper disposal, Flores said.

“To date, the total collected fines this year summed up to more than P3.3 million with the recent over P1.2 million settlement fines imposed to two commercial fishing boat operators,” Flores said. 

 The committee cited violations on certain provisions of Republic Act 10654 or “An Act to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing,” which amended RA 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

 Flores went on that the two operators also faced administrative liability for violating Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 246-1 banning of Danish Seine and modified Danish Seine fishing in Philippine waters.  

This method destroys the coral reef systems since the gear could drag the coral reefs that serve as “critical” habitat to fishes and other species, Flores explained.

 BFAR-7 regional Director Dr. Allan Poquita strongly warned violators of this fishing method that they will never get away with their illegal operations. 

 “The intensified seaborne patrol operations of BFAR-7 intends to thwart the illegal fishing activities in the region especially on the use of hulbot-hulbot or liba-liba,” Poquita added. (Photos: BFAR-7 FB)