PCG: Personnel of Coast Guard Station (CGS) Masbate Maritime Law Enforcement (MARLEN) team headed by Lieutenant Aguilar apprehended illegal fishing activity in San Pascual, Masbate last Friday April 27.

CGS Masbate onboard AB-188 conducted seaborne patrol at vicinity waters off San Fernando (Ticao Island), Claveria and San Pascual (Burias Island) Masbate at approximately 3.7 NM vicinity waters off San Pascual, Masbate. While underway, the team spotted three (3) fishing boats namely: FB Jurna; FB Mary Femen; and FB Bernie.

The team approached the spotted fishing boats and discovered that they were conducting illegal fishing using fine mesh net with active gear (Tom Weight) or locally known as “Zipper” at vicinity waters approximately 3.7 NM from Tanguingui Island, Pascual, Masbate.

The aforementioned fishing boats were apprehended together with its respective boat captains and crew members and informed them of the nature of their offense committed under Republic Act 8550 as amended by Republic Act 10654 as well as their constitutional rights.

Likewise, the team requested for the pertinent documents relative to the fishing boats safety certificates and issued Maritime Violation Receipt (MVR) for the violations as indicated below:

A. FB Jurna:

Owned/operated Jorge Liquiron with Business Address at Brgy. San Pascual, Masbate.

• Expired Vessel Safety Certificate

• No Boat Captain License

• No Marine Diesel Mechanic (MDM) License

B. FB Bernie:

Owned/operated by Malijana Tomas with Business Address at Balatan, Camarines Sur skippered by VIDA Ponteris resident of Balatan, Camarines Sur Resident of Balatan Camarines Sur.

• Expired Vessel Safety Certificate

• No Boat Captain License

• No Marine Diesel Mechanic (MDM) License

C. FB Mary Femen:

Owned/operated by Degracia Hermino with Business Address at Balatan, Camariness Sur skippered by Leonardo Lopez of Balatan Camarines Sur.

• Expired Vessel Safety Certificate

• No Boat Captain License

• No Marine Diesel Mechanic (MDM) License

The apprehended fishing boats, boat captains and crew members were escorted to Masbate City for proper documentation and filing of appropriate changes.