By John Rey Saavedra

DYNAMITE FISHING. File photo of samples of fish caught using dynamite. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Visayas surveillance officer Alberto Simbajon Jr. on Friday (Dec. 13, 2024) said they intensified efforts to address the dynamite fishing problem in Central Visayas through an information campaign and livelihood program for the fisherfolk. (PNA file photo)

CEBU CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-7 (Central Visayas) has intensified operations against illegal fishing in the region and warned fishers of the consequences if they get caught using explosives.

Alberto Simbajon Jr., officer-in-charge of Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Unit-Fisheries Management, Regulatory and Enforcement Division of BFAR-7, said illegal fishing using explosives is not as prevalent as before but several small fishermen in the island of Bantayan, Cordova in the province of Cebu and the double barrier reef in the province of Bohol use it.

Apart from sea-born operations against illegal fishers, Simbajon said they also saw the need to strengthen information and education campaigns to educate fishers about the impact of dynamite fishing on marine life.

Simbajon said fishers caught using dynamite can be held liable under Republic Act 10654, which imposes penalties and fines on anyone caught possessing or using dynamite in catching fish.

He said a fisher from Zamboanga was caught doing dynamite fishing in the Visayan waters and was fined PHP2.5 million.

“We have intervention activities that we do to combat illegal fishing. One of these is the information and education campaign and alternative livelihood so that fishers will stop dynamite fishing,” he said.

Through the Bantay Dagat Task Forces in the local government units in Central Visayas, BFAR-7 continues to enforce fishing laws in local waters. (PNA)