CAGAYAN, Philippines – Amid the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) from implementing Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 246, regulations against the operation of Danish Seine and modified Danish seine (buli-buli) remain.
Arsenio Banares, Chief of the Fisheries Resources and Quarantine Division said the bureau still banned fisherfolk or operators using Danish seine and modified Danish Seine in catching fish within municipal waters, bays and management areas under FAO 222.
Although FAO 222 allows the operation of modified Danish Seine in waters beyond 15 kilometers from the shoreline of any municipality, he warned operators to observe its regulations.
“Operators shall not use tom weights and any method that destroys coral reefs, seagrass beds and other fishery marine habitats,” he said adding that the minimum mesh size of the net shall not be less than three centimeters.
Violators, he added shall suffer a penalty of imprisonment from two to 10 years and a fine of not less than P100,000.00 to P500,000.00 or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.
“While FAO 246 is under preliminary injunction, we will strictly enforce FAO 222 provisions as this is not yet repealed by the new order,” Banares revealed.
Buli-buli, he added is considered one of the most efficient methods of fishing but likewise considered as destructive to the marine ecosystems because of tom weights.
