PFO ADS initiates 'Baylo Elektro' Project to Curb Illegal Electrofishing in Rosario, Agusan Sur

The use of electrofishing has been a continuing challenge among local governments in the province of Agusan del Sur. The practice is also prevalent in the Municipality of Rosario where river tributaries and natural bodies of water exist. To help the local governments address this critical concern, the Provincial Fisheries Office of Agusan del Sur initiated the Baylo-Electro Project.

The initiative directly supports Section 92 of RA 10654 which prohibits the use of electricity in fishing while providing incentive to fisherfolk who voluntarily surrender their electrofishing paraphernalia in exchange for legal or legitimate fishing gear.

The project was availed by LGU Rosario on April 16, 2021 wherein 30 fisherfolk with surrendered electrofishing gadgets were awarded with nine (9) sets gill net paraphernalia, 13 sets hook and lines and one (1) bundle of fish pot netting materials amounting to Php130,000.

The ceremonial turn-over was attended by DA Regional Executive Director Abel James I. Monteagudo, OIC-Regional Director Dr. Nilo S. Katada, Assistant Regional Director Edgardo P. Balambao, Provincial Fishery Officer Bimbo C. Lagare and Municipal Agriculturist Delia O. Valenzuela.

In her message, MA Valenzuela expressed her appreciation to DA-BFAR for focusing the intervention to illegal fishers. She also stressed that apart from the continuing fishery law enforcement operations, she is looking forward that the initiative could be sustained to provide the necessary alternative to fishers who opt to use environment-friendly and appropriate fishing gears.