The Campaign Strategy of the Maritime Police Against Illegal Fishing at Balayan Bay

Abstract

The Problem The specific problems in the study included 1. The assessment of the partnership of the Maritime Police and Bantay Dagat against illegal fishing in Balayan Bay in the areas of; Innovative Approach; Application of Human Resources; and Coordinated Activities; 2.The identification of the common problems encountered by the Maritime Police and Bantay Dagat against illegal fishing in Balayan Bay as regards the Innovative Approach; Application of Human Resources; and Coordinated Activities; 3. The measures proposed to address the problems in the partnership relative to the afore-cited variables.

Research Methodology The study was basically descriptive and specifically of a descriptive-analytical nature. It gathered data from representative portions of the respondents- the Maritime Police, the Bantay Dagat, and residents in the coastal barangays of Balayan Bay. It drew accomplished survey questionnaires from the selected samples of respondents. The sample size was determined using the Slovins formula with a five percent (5%) margin of error. The respondents in the sample were selected using the stratified sampling technique.

Findings The findings revealed the following. 1) The three groups of respondents assessed the partnership of the Maritime Police and Bantay Dagat as “Evident” with an Overall Weighted Mean (OWM) of 3.83 in terms of Innovative Approach, Application of Human Resources, and Coordinative Activities. 2) The three groups of respondents have indicated various degrees of seriousness on the lack of training as an apparent problem encountered by the partnership in these areas, however, the three groups, in general, addressed the problem as “Moderately Serious”, with an OWM of 2.73. 3) The summary evaluation of the proposed measures needed to address the problems encountered by the Partnership obtained an OWM of 4.07 which is verbally interpreted as Recommended through conducting joint training of the Maritime Police and Bantay Daga to enhance their law enforcement capabilities. 4) The results of the interviews conducted all pointed to the positive assessment and acceptance of the partnership of the Maritime Police and Bantay Dagat against the campaign against illegal fishing in Balayan Bay. Moreover, all sectors underscored the need to enhance the partnership to ensure work efficiency in the implementation of the campaign against illegal fishing. Financial and logistical supports were major considerations that must be balanced with efficient and appropriate training.

Conclusions Based on the findings, the following conclusions were derived: 1) The partnership of the Maritime Police and Bantay Dagat in Balayan Bay is evident and therefore, felt and valued by various sectors of the communities; 2) Based on the survey, the enhancement of the partnership of the Maritime Police and Bantay Dagat in Balayan Bay can be done through the conduct of training which is a highly recommended measure to improve law enforcement operations. The following activities stood out as priorities; “Monthly conduct of Pulong-pulong/Ugnayan to serve as a gauge of community awareness on the bad effects of illegal fishing”; and Conduct of quarterly Coastal Law Enforcement Training of the Maritime Police, and Bantay Dagat; and 3) A regular conduct of Monthly or Quarterly Pulong pulong/Ugnayan with the participation of community residents to be presided over by the representatives of the Maritime Police and Bantay Dagat.

Recommendations Based on the findings, the following recommendations are forwarded: 1. The partnership must stress the growing need for stronger enforcement of the fishery law However, this can only be achieved if the expected outputs are balanced by the required training that must be conducted. The formulation of Coastal Law Enforcement Training (CLET) must be done which shall be the basis of the conduct of periodic training. 2. During the conduct of Pulong-pulong/Ugnayan, topics on sustainable fishery management introduced by USAID program to stop illegal fishing must be discussed such as; a) Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (ECOFISH 2012-2017), a program which assist the Government of the Philippines, local governments, the private sector and stakeholders to strengthen fisheries governance, management and enforcement; b) National Stock Assessment Program (2015) which provide technical assistance to improve and standardize the program training curriculum, train new Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources field personnel on data collection in more than 250 sites and enhance the Bureau’s competencies to analyze the exploitation statuses of economically important fisheries; c) National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA 2014-2017) Philippine Support Program, which assist the BFAR to improve its vessel monitoring system and conducts training to fishery law enforcement agencies in setting up and analyzing information on an Alert System for Boat Detection for municipal waters and seasonal closure of critical fisheries; d) Philippines Biodiversity Program, which provides technical support to the task forces and interagency law enforcement groups to improve coordination across agencies and facilitate the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes including those related to IUU fishing and; e) Protect Wildlife (2016-2021), This new activity aims to conserve biodiversity in key protected areas in the Philippines and demonstrate the integration of conservation and development outcomes. The activity will achieve these dual objectives using a systems approach that involves capacity building and technical assistance, conservation finance and partnerships, behavior change, science and technology and environmental law enforcement; f) Rest the Bay (2014), a program which Implemented the closed season to address economic losses for fishers, raising awareness of the importance of the closed season, and ensuring enforcement. 3. The increasing value of fishery law enforcement must be stressed by the partnership, and this can be only achieved if the expected outputs are balanced by the required training that must be conducted. Formulation of Coastal Law Enforcement Training (CLET) must be done which will be the basis of the conduct of periodic training. 4. Communication is an indispensable pre-requisite. To achieve this, open communication lines must be guaranteed with all communication devices in order as specified in the OPLAN DALOY under the Ecosystem Improved for Sustainable Fishery (ECOFISH) program of the USAID to act immediately on the reported illegal fishing activities. 5. After the conduct of training, the creation of Fishery Law Enforcement Team (FLET) composes of Maritime Police, and Bantay Dagat must be created that will serve as a quick response team on the reported illegal fishing activities in the area. 6. Basic Intelligence subjects must be included in the POI and participants from the intelligence community must be invited to attend to maintain a close intelligence network among the law enforcer and the community for the reporting system on the intrusion of fishing vessels from nearby provinces of Batangas. 7. Policy recommendation on the creation of Municipal Fishery Council in every municipality within the Balayan Bay composed of representatives from LGU, PNP Maritime Group, BFAR-FARMC, PCG and other concern stakeholders to discuss the proposal of USAID on the livelihood programs and measures to stop illegal fishing.