BFAR-Davao Cracks Down on Illegal Fishing in Davao Gulf
In a significant enforcement operation, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources–Davao Region (BFAR-Davao) has apprehended three commercial fishing vessels (CFVs) for violating the Amended Fisheries Code along the eastern coastline of the Davao Region.
The crackdown was carried out by the Enforcement and Regional Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Operations Center (ERMCSOC) in collaboration with personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Their joint maritime patrol spanned the Davao Gulf from November 11 to 15, 2025.
Details of the Apprehended Vessels and Violations
During the patrol, authorities intercepted the three vessels. One was operating a medium-scale ring net, while the other two were using small-scale tuna handline setups. All were found to be in breach of Republic Act No. 10654, the Amended Fisheries Code.
The violations were numerous and specific. The vessels were cited for two counts of Section 86 or Unauthorized Fishing for operating without a permit from BFAR. One count was for Section 86(a2), which pertains to unauthorized fishing within municipal waters. They also faced one count of Section 95 for using active fishing gear in municipal waters, bays, and other fishery management areas, and one count of Section 121 for employing unlicensed fishing gear.
A Continued Commitment to Marine Protection
BFAR-Davao has reiterated its firm commitment to safeguarding the marine ecosystem of the Davao Region. The agency emphasized that this is achieved through regular maritime patrols, the strict enforcement of fishery laws, and ongoing collaboration with law enforcement agencies and local government units.
In a Facebook post dated November 19, 2025, BFAR-Davao assured the public that all apprehensions were conducted with proper documentation and in strict adherence to the Fishery Law Enforcement Manual of Operations.
This is not an isolated incident. The agency has a record of similar enforcement actions. In February 2024, BFAR intercepted three fishing vessels in Sta. Maria, Davao Occidental for various violations. Another medium-scale commercial fishing vessel was apprehended in November 2024 for multiple breaches of RA 10654. More recently, in April 2025, the ERMCSOC apprehended a vessel about 10.5 kilometers off the shoreline of Barangay Surup, Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.
