The police apprehended an unregistered fishing vessel manned by 20 crew members for operating without a permit in the municipal waters of Bulalacao town in Oriental Mindoro, seizing an estimated ₱2.65 million worth of fishing equipment, vessel, and catch. INQUIRER FILES

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The police apprehended an unregistered fishing vessel manned by 20 crew members for operating without a permit in the municipal waters of Bulalacao town in Oriental Mindoro, seizing an estimated ₱2.65 million worth of fishing equipment, vessel, and catch.

The Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office (OMPPO) said the operation was carried out on Monday during a seaborne patrol near Buyayao Island in Barangay San Roque.

READ: 5 fishermen arrested, P183,000 worth of equipment seized off Romblon

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Police from the Bulalacao Municipal Police Station intercepted the fishing vessel “Jhon Maisiel,” which was manned by a boat captain and 20 crew members.

Verification with the Bulalacao Municipal Agriculture Office showed that the vessel and its fishermen have no valid fishing permit or registration, in violation of Municipal Ordinance No. 98-09-017, which regulates fishing activities in the municipality.

Authorities confiscated the fishing boat valued at about ₱1.5 million, an Isuzu 6BG1 engine worth ₱100,000, fishing nets valued at ₱1 million, and around 350 kilograms of galunggong estimated at ₱52,500.

The confiscated fish and fishing equipment were turned over to the Bulalacao Municipal Agriculture Office for proper disposition.

“Illegal fishing threatens the livelihood of our fisherfolk and the sustainability of our marine resources. We will continue to enforce fisheries laws and support efforts to protect the province’s coastal waters for the benefit of present and future generations,” Oriental Mindoro police director Col. Edison Revita said in a statement./coa

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