Task Force apprehends vessel with 19 sharks

CEBU, Philippines - Joint operatives of the Cebu Provincial Anti-illegal Fishing Task Force and the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR)-7 yesterday apprehended a vessel illegally fishing in the waters off Hagnaya Port in San Remigio, Cebu.

 Lianne Llesol of the Provincial Information Office said at least 19 thresher sharks at 50 kilos each were confiscated by the members of the task force.

Llesol said the team was conducting seaborne patrol yesterday morning in Tañon Strait, a protected seascape, when it chanced upon the fishing vessel.

As of press time no information yet on the identity of the operator and the crew members of the vessel.

Vince Cinches, Philippine oceans campaigner for Greenpeace-Southeast Asia, commended the Capitol and the DENR-7 for the latest accomplishment.

"We would like to commend Cebu provincial Anti-illegal fishing task force and DENR for the action against illegal fishing," he said.

Cinches said they are requesting the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to ensure that the perpetrators are punished.

"They need to pay millions of pesos for doing illegally, unya ganina ang vessel gidala sa Negros but I think it's already in Transit to Cebu City," Cinches said.

He said that the fishing vessel operator is not only violating the Philippine Fisheries Code but also the Cebu Provincial Ordinance protecting all shark species in the province.

"It's so disheartening, we just call on, underscore to support our call for the global protection of thresher sharks," Cinches said. (FREEMAN)