Philippine Navy Patrol Boat Apprehends Fishing Boats

Philippine Navy Patrol Gunboat apprehended two fishing boats during the conduct of Naval Patrol long the littoral waters of Pangasinan and La Union on the evening of January 6, 2015.

BRP Hilario Ruiz (PG378) skippered by its Acting Commanding Officer Lieutenant Senior Grade John Paul Acio PN caught Fishing Boats Brianna Rae and Esperanza 1 at about 08:00 and 11:30 p.m respectively trawl fishing within the municipal waters of Dagupan, Pangasinan and Agoo, La Union.Both Fishing boats violated Section 18 of the Republic Act No 8550 or otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 that Prohibits commercial fishing within 15 kilometers from the shoreline.

Further inspection to necessary documents revealed that Fishing Boat Esperanza 1 along with its Chief Mechanic and Master Patron have expire licenses while three of its crew members have no license at all. Moreover, fishermen were found out to have been using fine mesh on their nets which is a violation of Section 89 of RA 8550 that prohibits everyone to engage in fishing using nets with mesh smaller that what is prescribed by the Government not unless used for gathering fry, glass ells and other species which is by nature are small but already mature.

After being issued their boarding certificates, the fishing boats were then escorted and properly turned-over to the local Police of Bauang Police Station for proper disposition.

Boat Captain Mario Perez and a four-member manned F/B Brianna rae and F/B Esperanza 1 was manned by Boat Captain Dionisio Rivera and four other crew members.

Press Release