The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued stern warnings to the local government unit (LGU) of Carles and 19 others for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) in their respective municipal waters.

These LGUs, according to DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, had the most number of violation allegedly committed under Republic Act No. 10654 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, such as the use of superlight and other artificial light sources which are used to attract fishes during nighttime.

The DILG was able to get the information through the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) technology, a satellite that can detect artificial light sources or superlight.

“IUUF can cause a serious decline in fisheries resources, and can negatively impact food security and livelihoods for coastal communities and fisherfolk kaya napakahalagang tutukan ito ng mga LGU,” said Año.

The DILG secretary reminded these LGUs to strengthen the enforcement of the Philippine Fisheries Code and other existing policies for the protection of coastal communities and fishing folks within their jurisdiction or face administrative sanctions.

“Despite the pandemic, we want to remind LGUs of the protection of our aquatic resources which, unfortunately, is still an issue in the country. Para sa 20 pamahalaang lokal na ito na ating pinadalhan ng warning, mahigpit ang ating paalala na pangalagaan ang ating mga karagatan,” said Año.

Carles registered 762 violations, data from the DILG showed.

The other towns included in the top 20 LGUs are Tongkil, Sulu; Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur; Milagros, Masbate ; Cawayan, Masbate ; San Pascual, Masbate ; Languyan, Tawi-tawi; Calauag, Quezon; Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan; Linapacan, Palawan; Cuyo, Palawan; Santa Cruz, Marinduque; Madridejos, Cebu; Coron, Palawan; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Taytay, Palawan; Magsaysay, Palawan; Catbalogan City, Samar; Cavite City, Cavite; and Quezon, Quezon.

Based on the VIIRS technology boat detection report of 2020, there has been a spike in the increase of detections of commercial fishing in municipal waters amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mahalagang matutukan ito sapagkat these violations are directly related and crucial to the food security of our country,” said Año.IMT