Pia: Pass law against poaching to protect Apo Reef

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today called for the approval of a bill seeking to protect Occidental Mindoro's Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP) from unhampered poaching, especially by foreign fishing vessels.

The lady senator issued the appeal following reports today that 14 dead sea turtles were recovered in the area in a fishing net left by foreign poachers who eluded arrest from pursuing Philippine Navy personnel over the weekend.

Located off Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, the ARNP spans 27,469 hectares and is considered as the second biggest coral reef in the world next to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. It serves as a nesting area for several endangered species, including the Green Sea Turtle and Hawksbill Turtle.

Cayetano is author and sponsor of Senate Bill No.2393, which establishes the Apo Reef as a protected natural park and its peripheral waters as a buffer zone. It also appoints a multi-sectoral Protected Area Management Board to oversee all activities in the marine sanctuary.

The bill's highlights include the imposition of stiffer provisions against poaching and illegal fishing that have severely depleted the marine resources of the once world-famous diving site.

SBN 2329 is currently under the period of amendments in the Senate, while the House of Representatives is expected to submit its committee report to plenary when session resumes in November.

"I appeal on my colleagues to help pass this measure when session resumes next month. This would help empower our authorities and local communities to apprehend these poachers, send them behind bars, and drain their pockets with heavy penalties," stressed Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

"Poaching and illegal fishing have depleted Apo Reef's already fragile marine resource in the last two decades. And judging from recent events, the plunder of Apo Reef continues unhampered," she added.

She noted that a total fishing ban has been imposed on Apo Reef beginning last year, but this has not deterred local and foreign poachers from entering the sanctuary.

Under SBN 2393, foreigners caught fishing or operating a fishing vessel in the area face imprisonment from six years to twelve years and a fine of US$100,000, on top of an administrative fine ranging from US$50,000 to $200,000. The PAMB could also order the forfeiture of its catch, fishing equipment and fishing vessel.

A hold departure order will also be issued as a condition for the grant of bail to any foreign offender to prevent the latter from leaving the country while on trial. All passports and documents which may be used by the accused to flee the country will also be surrendered to the court.

On the other hand, Filipinos caught poaching using explosive and poisonous substances face penalties including imprisonment from six to twelve years, a fine of P100,000 to P300,000, an administrative fine ranging from P40,000 to P150,000, and confiscation and forfeiture of equipment, gears and vessels.

The ARNP is one of the ten priority sites under the Conservation of Priority Protected Area Project, an initiative of the World Bank. It was proclaimed a protected area by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No.868 in September 1996.