‘Super bright lights’ on fishing boats alarms DILG

DAVAO CITY – The Interior Department is raising alarm over the illegal use by trawlers of “super bright lights” to attract fishes in 20 municipal waters and warned local governments to strictly implement the Philippine Fisheries Code.

A trawler sails past the Santa Cruz Island off Zamboanga City with Basilan province on its background. (Photo by Al Jacinto)

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año reminded local governments after citing a recent report that trawlers were using super bright lights off Tongkil town in Sulu province with 2,549 total detections followed by Zamboanga City with 2,446; Milagros in Masbate with 1,595; Cawayan also in Masbate with 1,350; and San Pascual in Masbate with 1,193; Languyan in Tawi-Tawi with 1,057; Calauag in Quezon with 1,009; Hadji Mohammad Ajul in Basilan with 973; Linapacan in Palawan with 959; and, Carles in Iloilo with 762. 

He also included in the list the following: Cuyo, Taytay, Magsaysay and Coron in Palawan; Santa Cruz in Marinduque; Madridejos in Cebu; San Jose in Occidental Mindoro; Catbalogan City in Samar; Cavite City in Cavite; and Quezon in Quezon province.

Año said the DILG - which has partnered with Oceana Philippines in monitoring, detecting, and preventing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in municipal waters - was able to get the information through the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite technology, a satellite that can detect artificial light sources or superlight.

He issued stern warnings to the local governments and told them 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 (Covid-19) 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,” Año said.

He said illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in municipal waters can cause a serious decline in fisheries resources, and can negatively impact food security and livelihoods for coastal communities and fisher folks. 

Based on the report, Año said there had been a spike in the increase of detections of commercial fishing (using super bright lights) in municipal waters amid the pandemic. “Mahalagang matutukan ito sapagkat these violations are directly related and crucial to the food security of our country,” he said. 

Año said that the DILG utilizes the satellite data which shows the areas where the use of these super lights was prevalent. The data, he said, is overlaid with maps that show municipal water boundaries to identify and map out the use of super lights in municipal waters or intrusions and encroachments of commercial fishing vessels in municipal waters. 

“The use of satellite technology in fisheries law enforcement is another game changer hence it imperative for the DILG to act and issue a warning to these LGUs. Hangad namin na sa pamamagitan nito ay matugunan nila ang mga paglabag sa batas ng pangingisda sa kanilang nasasakupan,” he said. 

The DILG report however was collected last year, but nonetheless, Año ordered local governments to strictly implement DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2018-59 which contains policies and guidelines on the regulation and monitoring of fishery activities in municipal waters. (Malou Cablinda)

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