ILOILO CITY, Sept. 6 – Iloilo province has seven new fish deputy wardens who protect the provincial coastal resources from further destruction.
Iloilo provincial agriculture officer Dr. Ildefonso Toledo said that the fish deputy wardens were trained by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for three consecutive days and had their graduation rites only last Sept. 3.
The fish deputy wardens were then briefed on the marine ecosystem, fishery laws and on the apprehension of illegal fishermen.
Toledo said that the fish deputy wardens would then be deployed with the Bantay Dagat as augmentation force against violators.
Tolewdo said the common violations committed in Iloilo province, included encroachment on municipal waters and the use of prohibited fishing gears like the fine mesh nets.
Aside from having additional fish deputy wardens, the provincial agriculture, upon the order of Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr., has also had the Bantay Dagat fishing boats repaired in order to be used to patrol the seas. (PNA) RMA/AJPetinglay