ILOILO, July 3 (PNA)– Fourteen fishermen from Barangay Pasil, Victorias City, Negros Occidental were slapped with P105,000 fine due to illegal fishing in Ajuy town here this week.
SPO1 Gilbert Piedad, chief of Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force, said the fishermen were caught using trawl, a fishing gear prohibited in the town.
Prior to their arrest, the fishermen were onboard seven motor bancas owned by Analyn Brillantes and Antonio Asadon, also from Victorias City.
Piedad said the owners lobbied to pay a P15,000 compromise fine for each motor bancas and the municipal government agreed to it.
Upon their payment, the pilots and their respective crew were released from detention. The motor bancas were also returned.
Meanwhile, another group of trawl fishers from Victorias City were arrested on Wednesday in Ajuy.
They were Joeven Mahinay, Eboy Castillo, Jr., Vicente Gamosaran, Noel Dueñas, Rodel Bolbes, Belion Bermales, Jose Magarso, Mark Chan Apolinario, Chong Ortega, Christian Alipio, Chong Villaris, Waldo Adlon and Carlo Basay.
The task force has yet to file charges against these fishermen. Their motor bancas, fishing gears and other fishing paraphernalia, on the other hand, are now in the custody of the task force. (PNA)