Red Zones up in Carles waters
Over 50,000 hectares in fish sanctuaries and artificial reefs in northern Iloilo are now the 'official property' thus municipal waters of Carles, Iloilo .
Identified in the town's Fisheries Code of 2008, the entire extent has been declared a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Ten bouys will be used on its outer perimeter as physical markings with the town out to impose a "Restricted Zone – No-Take Zone" order here.
"Restricted Zones" are those where selected and non-destructive municipal fishing operations using only passive gears may be allowed.
"No-Take Zones" are those composed of marine reserves and sanctuaries where fishing of any kind is not allowed. Initial allocation of P1 million has been appropriated for the over-all implementation of the corresponding management MPA plan.
As per Carles Fisheries Code of 2008 provision, only passive, non-destructive fishing operations shall be allowed in the Restricted Zones. While it is a complete no-no for motorized watercraft and vessel to pass the No-Take Zones unless it is an emergency, patrol and surveillance purposes.
The Carles MPAs are the Bancal Bay where 2,500 hectares of which have been tagged as "Restricted" while 20 hectares are "No-Take" areas, Carmencita Shoal with "No-Take" in 127 hectares and 118 hectares in Restricted area.
Other MPAs are Gasang-Mulupulo-Tumaquin with 490 hectares restricted and 112 hectares "no-take," while totally off-limits are Mulupulo Islet, Gamut (Mulupulo), Tumaquin Islet and Gasang Islet.
More restricted zones in Granada with 375 hectares here identified, Gabi with 1,376 hectares, Lantangan with 1,700 hectares and 79 hectares "no-take" and Barosbos with 20,000 hectares restricted and 20,000 as well for "no-take."
To note, outsiders or non-locals are not as well allowed to fish in these areas unless granted by a permit issued by the mayor.
Fines, penalties and even jail term await the violators.