10.
The briefing was among the highlights of the national media conference hosted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) at the City Garden Suites in Ermita, Manila.
Perez, who is also national director of BFAR, said they included the Benham Rise, which is located in the country’s eastern seaboard, in the priority enforcement areas to curb the rampant illegal fishing activities there.
Citing satellite images, he said they detected extensive fishing activities in the area by foreign fishermen.
“Our vessels and enforcers are now ready to patrol these areas and reclaim them for our own fishermen,” he said.
Lawyer Benjamin Tabios Jr., BFAR assistant national director, said the enforcement operations will involve their 85 patrol vessels.
He said 71 of these are 30-footer patrol boats while 16 are 11-meter and 30-meter monitoring, control and surveillance vessels.
“We will be augmenting these with 27 new 42-footers that are due for delivery next year,” he told MindaNews.
The official said the agency will also acquire 10 new 50-footers and two 50-meter vessels.[]
Tabios said some 290 enforcers have already completed their training, which covered 90 days for the basic course, 30 days for boat operations and 15 days for specialized courses.
He said they are set to hire more enforcers to complete their manpower target of 600.
“The hiring and training process is very stringent as these enforcers will eventually carry guns in their assignments,” he added.[]
