MikeLigalig.com

This story is published by the Bohol Chronicle and is available
online at theboholchronicle.com

As illegal fishing activities have been found rampant in the Bohol seawaters, another case was noted Thursday night right in the seawaters off Tagbilaran Bay.

The Chronicle was informed that fishing boats operate few kilometers from the City Port, at the seawaters between Manga district and Dauis town.

A DYRD team which filed its report through "Tagbilaran-By-Nite" noted no less than 25 fishing boats at the area which is in clear violation of the 15-km distance from the shorelines, both of Dauis and Tagbilaran.

Residents in the area noted that the fishing boats were there almost the entire night last Thursday. Aside from violating the 15-km distance, the fishing boats were using superlights which deprive meager fishermen of their share in the bounties of the sea.

Engr. Rene Villaber, head of the Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO) could not be reached for comments when the dyRD team spotted the illegal fishers Thursday night. His cellular phone could not be reached despite repeated tries. This is the second time dyRD reporters failed to contact the BEMO head to report such incident.