Davide Appeals to Navy to Help Fight Illegal Fishing

● Anti-illegal fishing task force told the governor that the province has wiped out about 80 percent of illegal-fishing activities.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is asking the Philippine Navy to help them keep illegal fishers away from the provincial waters.

“Kulang pa pagdakop (the illegal fishers), that’s why we are asking the Navy to help us. Kuwang tas manpower gyud,” Davide said.

The governor’s appeal came as the province celebrates the first “aqua marine trade” last week of which theme centers on the protection of marine environment.

Davide said although the Capitol has an anti-illegal fishing task force, its people are still not enough to guard the whole provincial waters from illegal fishing activities.

Davide also asked the local government units to activate their respective bantay dagat teams to join in the fight against illegal fishing, which is said to have destroyed Cebu’s marine environment including those supposed protected areas.

“Yes, we are really serious in our efforts to stop this illegal fishing…even commercial fishing. We need to stop that, too,” said Davide.

In his recent communication with Loy Madrigal of the Capitol’s anti-illegal fishing task force, the governor was told that the province has rid of about 80 percent of illegal-fishing activities. Davide said he is satisfied with this result.

“So far, yes, (I’m) satisfied. But still they can do more. We have to attend to the problem on illegal fishing sa south,” Davide said when asked if he was satisfied with the efforts of the task force.

Davide, however, admitted that there is so much to be done, specially in the north, where illegal fishing- -like the use of dynamite and cyanide– is still rampant.

” We cant expect maundang tanan. Padayun atong activities Pagdakop aning illegal fishing, those who are involved will be apprehended,” the governor said.