HULBOT VESSEL OWNER, CAPTAIN FACE RAPS FOR FISHERY LAW VIOLATIONS

Owner and boat captain of one Modified Danish Seine vessel, locally known as Hulbot-
hulbot, face raps for violation of Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 246-1, which bans
the operation of said type of destructive fishing gear in Philippine waters. The illegal fishing
boat was spotted operating off the coast of barangay Bolong, near Pitas Island, Zamboanga
City last Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at about 6:30 o’clock nighttime, and was subsequently
apprehended by the joint operatives of DA-BFAR Enforcement and Regional Monitoring,
Control and Surveillance Operations Center (ERMCSOC) Team 4 and Philippine Coast
Guard (PCG) onboard MCS 3007.

Based on the inspection conducted by the apprehending team, the fishing vessel possesses
the following paraphernalia: tom weight, scareline, green net and roller. The presence of
these gears is highly indicative that the seized boat is a Modified Danish Seine or Hulbot-
hulbot. The boat owner was thereafter issued with a Notice of Violation citing offense
against FAO 246-1 in relation to Section 97 of RA 10654 or the Amended Fisheries Code of
the Philippines which declares unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to fish with
gear
or method that destroys coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other fishery marine life habitat.
Moreover, the owner was also found to have employed unlicensed fishermen and crew
which is contrary to Section 113 of the said Code.

The apprehended vessel is currently anchored at the BFAR Regional Office IX, Sea side,
Zamboanga City purposely for custodial safekeeping while an administrative case is being
filed before the Adjudication Committee against the offenders.