TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Today, March 20, 2023, DA-BFAR 2 Regional Director Angel B. Encarnacion calls for the support of the Philippine Coastguard through Captain Ivan E. Roldan, in its stance against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities along coastal waters of Region 02 during the Briefing and Welcome tribute for the officers and crew of the Multi-Mission Offshore Vessel (MMOV) 5001.

Said fleet, will be deployed in region 02 to conduct patrol missions along the region’s major fishing grounds in Babuyan and Balintang Channels, Batanes, and Isabela waters during the summer season.

“With your presence in our waters, we are hoping that there will be a significant reduction of sightings of foreign poachers in our territory,” said Regional Director Encarnacion addressing his message to the law enforcers.

He mentioned further that the presence of floating assets within Philippine waters will deter the presence of foreign poachers from marauding our rich fisheries resources. He also revealed that for the last five to 10 years, there’s been a noteworthy decline in apprehensions violating Section 91 of the Amended Republic Act No. 10654 (Philippine Fisheries Code).

Meantime, the MMOV will also be used to deliver fishery inputs and services in remote areas such as the island municipality of Calayan and the island province of Batanes. ###

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