Catanauan strengthens coastal enforcement through marine protection training

By Rowena T. Cruz Bantay Dagat volunteers and organizers during the Marine Protected Area Management training in Catanauan, Quezon. (Agricul...

By Rowena T. Cruz

Bantay Dagat volunteers and organizers during the Marine Protected Area Management training in Catanauan, Quezon. (Agriculture Office of Catanauan-FITS Center)

CATANAUAN, Quezon — Bantay Dagat volunteers and environmental workers in Catanauan underwent marine law enforcement training as authorities strengthened efforts against illegal fishing and coastal violations. Focus shifted toward evidence handling and case documentation as fisheries cases continue to weaken before reaching court.

The two-day seminar on Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management was held from May 20 to 21 at Eyns Hotel and Restaurant in Poblacion 2. Participants included Bantay Dagat volunteers, municipal agriculture personnel, and local officials guarding the town’s 15-kilometer municipal waters.



Training sessions focused on evidence gathering, arrest procedures, and documentation during sea operations. Participants also learned how to handle confiscated fishing gear and preserve evidence for prosecution.

Organizers said many environmental cases collapse because of incomplete records, weak photographs, or mishandled evidence. The seminar aimed to strengthen the legal and technical skills of local patrol teams.

Participants reviewed the Fisheries Code of the Philippines under Republic Act 8550 and its amendments through Republic Act 10654. Local fishing rules under Municipal Ordinance No. 2017-74 were also discussed to help patrol teams identify violations at sea.

Lawyer Sai Tolentino-De Leon of Tanggol Kalikasan led discussions on environmental enforcement and court procedures involving fisheries violations. She explained how patrol teams should document apprehensions and preserve evidence that courts can accept.

Municipal Agriculturist Migthell Althea P. Evangelista-Pontud said coastal protection requires patrol teams to understand both enforcement and legal procedures. She said weak documentation often prevents violations from progressing into prosecution.

“Kapag kulang ang dokumentasyon, minsan hindi natutuloy ang kaso kahit may aktuwal na paglabag. Kaya mahalaga na alam ng Bantay Dagat hindi lang ang pagbabantay kundi pati ang tamang proseso pagkatapos ng operasyon,” Evangelista-Pontud said.

Evangelista-Pontud also said Marine Protected Areas help sustain fish populations and preserve coastal ecosystems threatened by overfishing. She warned that damaged reefs and neglected sanctuary zones could reduce fish catch for coastal communities in the coming years.

“Parang taniman din ang dagat na kailangang bigyan ng panahon para makabawi. Kapag napabayaan ang sanctuary areas, mas kaunti rin ang huling isda ng mga mangingisda sa mga susunod na taon,” she said.

On the second day of the seminar, Bantay Dagat volunteers shared experiences involving nighttime patrols and encounters with suspected illegal fishers. Discussions highlighted the operational limits faced by coastal enforcement teams in smaller towns.

The program ended with a post-test, open forum, and awarding of certificates to participants. Environmental workers said stronger enforcement and proper documentation remain necessary to protect marine breeding grounds and sustain fishing communities in southern Quezon.