26 fishermen were apprehended in Tubbataha last October 1
1. Twenty-six (26) fishers aboard F/Bca Clinton 1 were arrested at Jessie Beazley Reef, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park on 1 October 2021
On the afternoon of October 1, 2021, marine park rangers of the Tubbataha Reefs arrested 26 fishers at the Jessie Beazley Reef in Tubbataha. Found in the fishing vessel were about five (5) tons of fish, including the internationally protected Napoleon Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and paraphernalia believed to be used for blast fishing.
While on patrol to the Jessie Beazley Reef, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Cagayancillo Bantay Dagat, and Tubbataha Management Office enforcement officers sighted a fishing vessel near the reef. They approached the vessel and while attempting to evade arrest, fishers were throwing paraphernalia overboard to rid their boat of evidence of their crime.
The fishers are still at the ranger station in Tubbataha as of this writing. The BFAR vessel, MCS 3001, is underway to escort the fishers back to Puerto Princesa City for the filing of appropriate cases for violations of RA No. 10067, otherwise known as the Tubbataha Act of 2009.
2. Paraphernalia believed to be used for blast fishing were found onboard the vessel. One of the rangers, a former blast fisherman, identified the paraphernalia.
3. About five (5) tons of fish were found in the vessel including a 1.3-meter Napolean Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), an internationally protected and endangered species.