2 fishermen nabbed off Madridejos for ‘hulbot-hulbot’

Local

TWO fishermen from Iloilo City were arrested in the waters off Madridejos, Cebu after they caught fishing using Danish seine, a prohibited fishing method locally known as “hulbot-hulbot.”

Arrested were Jojen Delos Reyes Juarez, 32, boat mechanic, and Mark Joseph Olmido Regala, the 40-year-old boat captain. The two are from Barangay Tabogon Carles, Iloilo.

Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard-Madridejos, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Bantay-Dagat also seized a fishing boat worth P1.5 million.

About 100 kilos of assorted fish believed to cost P30,000 was also confiscated.

The Madridejos police said the fishing boat was caught in the act of practicing “hulbot-hulbot”, which is prohibited as it destroys coral reefs.

Madridejos has an ordinance that prohibits the fishing method.

Col. Abubakar Mangelen Jr., chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, commended the arrest, emphasizing that the province is serious in its campaign to implement maritime laws.

“We commend the Madridejos Municipal Police Station and our partner agencies for this successful operation. Illegal fishing poses a serious threat to our marine ecosystem and the livelihood of our fisherfolk. We will continue to support intensified efforts to protect our coastal resources and hold violators accountable,” said Mangelen.(CDB)