Light planes equipped with computers and cameras will be engaged by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the enforcement of laws against illegal fishing and the 3-month Closed Fishing Season policy in the different fishing grounds of the country.
Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona, BFAR Director, was directed last week to engage private aircraft companies using the light Cessna planes in patrolling the fishing grounds.
The light planes will be manned by two people, the pilot and a spotter who will be equipped with a camera and computer.
They will be tasked to fly over the seas where the Closed Fishing Season Policy is implemented.
Once illegal fishing activities are spotted, photos will be taken of fishing boats and the BFAR patrol boats manned by members of the Philippine Coast Guard will be alerted to conduct apprehension.
The engagement of air assets in the campaign against illegal fishing was decided upon because of limited vessels to patrol the fishing grounds.
Meanwhile, the BFAR made an assurance that alternative livelihood activities will be offerred to fishermen who will be affected by the Closed Fishing Season Policy.
Livelihood activities include livestock and poultry raising and propagation of mangrove planting materials to be bought back by BFAR so these could be planted in the coastal lines.
Long term programs like the establishment of cold storage facilities and fish processing equipment will also be introduced so that the fisher folks could store their excess catch and process this to be marketed during the off fishing season.
The Closed Fishing Season allows fish species like mackerel, sardines and herring to spawn and repopulate.
It has been established that when there is an abundance of small fish species in the fishing grounds, the big fish species would gather in the fishing grounds to feed.
This has been proven in the waters around the Zamboanga Peninsula where the 3-month Closed Fishing Season has increased the population of the sardines fish.
Fishermen in the Moro Gulf have also reported greater catch of Tuna.
The same reports were also received from fishermen in the Davao Gulf.
The 3-month Closed Fising Season is declared in the different fishing grounds of the country depending on the spawning habits of specific fish species.
(Photos show Pilots Dr. Albert Pinggoy and Capt. Dennis Figueroa with the DA Secretary with the Cessna fleet of AYP Holdings in Davao City. Photos by Mayette Tudlas.)
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