ILOILO CITY (PIA) — Fundamental and practical knowledge of essential legal concepts related to enforcing fisheries regulations were instilled among the participants of the Fishery Law Enforcement Training (FLET) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 6.
In collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Ivisan town in Capiz, the BFAR 6 capacitated the 19 trainees composed of the Bantay Dagat members, Philippine National Police officers, Philippine Coast Guard personnel, LGU representatives, and fisherfolk leaders.
The training session focused on resource conservation, protection, and management, addressing issues such as manpower shortages, inadequate knowledge of Fishery Laws, insufficient value formation among personnel, and coordination gaps among law enforcement agencies in the identified fishing area in town.
Several workshops were likewise done particularly on mapping and planning vessel positions at sea, writing complaints, affidavits, and preparing evidence.
Simulation activities on seaborne patrol and boarding inspection to provide practical, hands-on experience, and opportunities included procedures for arrest, search, and seizure, proper filing of administrative cases, and hands-on mentoring on filling out legal forms for court use.
In a statement, BFAR said that the Fishery Law Enforcers are crucial in raising public awareness about fisheries and ecological conservation. Their responsibilities include conducting field operations, apprehending violators, filing court cases, and maintaining records of resolved or dismissed cases.
Deputized officers have the authority to investigate violations, make arrests, prepare complaints, and present evidence in court which are vital in protecting fishery resources from unsustainable practices and preventing illegal fishing.
FLET aligns with the implementation of the FMA 12 Management Framework under goal 1 on establishing an enabled, effective, and responsive management system.
According to BFAR, the goal includes adapting and implementing training programs for LGUs and stakeholders, tailored to the current context of FMA 12, contributing to the efforts against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. (AAL/AGP/PIA 6)
