Watchtower vs. illegal fishing erected in Sapian Bay
SAPIAN, Capiz – Mayor Arturo “Turic” Orosco, Sr, Ph.D, said that the putting up of watchtower detachment in Sitio Culasi, Lonoy at the said municipality will protect the coastal water against the illegal fishing activities and assist local fisherfolks who complain about such activities perpetrated by illegal fishermen at the Sapian Bay.
“This watchtower detachment will not watch against you but to protect our coastal barangays from illegal fishing,” Orosco clarified before hundreds of fisherfolks during the blessing on Thursday morning.
The said baywatch, according to the mayor, would serve as 24 hours surveillance against illegal fishing activities.
According to him, he enjoined local fisherfolks to watch Sapian Bay from abuse of illegal fishing to preserve the natural resources in which they depend on their livelihood not only for them but for the future generations.
Mr. Erwin Ilayam, representative of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-6, said that the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) in the municipality of Sapian is under the fisheries projects which protect the coastal waters and rivers from illegal fishing activities.
He added that under Republic Act (RA) 7160, the local chief executive has the power to manage the municipal waters while RA 8550, the local government units (LGUs) are mandated to manage, conserve and to enforce the fishery laws and ordinances against illegal fishing.
It was learned that Sapian has 9 coastal barangays where the local folks are dependent in fishing as their livelihood.
Meanwhile, Mr. Arnz Caberte, executive assistant of the mayor, revealed that in 2007, the collection from illegal fishing and license was only P5,800.00 however, when the strict implementation of fishery laws and ordinances were imposed, the collection in 2008 and 2009 were increased up to some P200,000.
Due this progressive collection, the municipality erected the detachment and will put artificial reefs to preserve aquatic resources on the bay.
The blessing of watchtower detachment was also attended by Vice Mayor Ralph Odrunia, several SB members, barangays officials and the police.
