All coastal towns in Northern Iloilo have now expressed all-out support to the provincial government's campaign against illegal fishing.

Following the footsteps of fisherfolk from the towns of Concepcion, San Dionisio, Ajuy, Banate and Batad, fisherfolks from Carles and Estancia have also issued separate manifestos declaring that they would no longer engage in illegal fishing activities, particularly "hulbot-hulbot" and dynamite fishing.

Carles Mayor Arnold Betita endorsed to Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. the manifesto signed by 35 fisherfolk from his town May 28.

While, Estancia Mayor Rene Cordero forwarded to the Office of the Governor the manifesto of 12 "hulbot-hulbot" operators Friday, May 25 last week.

The fisherfolk have acknowledged that "hulbot-hulbot" as well as other forms of illegal fishing activities are environmentally destructive.

Earlier, Gov. Defensor acknowledged the support of fisherfolk from Northern Iloilo towns to the provincial government's anti-illegal fishing drive.

He said the support shown by the fisherfolk in the provincial government's campaign against destructive fishing simply show that they have already awakened to the need to save our marine resources.

"All indications show that we are making a headway ... many towns have expressed support to our campaign... we would like to reiterate that there's no let up in our anti-illegal fishing campaign and we will continue to pursue this campaign very seriously," Defensor said.

Last year, the Iloilo provincial government has given financial assistance to "hulbot-hulbot" operators from the towns of San Dionisio, Ajuy, and Concepcion who stopped their operations in support of the campaign against illegal fishing.

Hulbot-hulbot" has been declared by the national government as "detrimental to the habitat of our fishes and is illegal."

Its use also violates Fisheries Administrative Order Nos. 198, 155, 201 and 222 in relation to Sections 86, 89, 90 and 104 of Republic Act 8550 known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. (ECGarcia/ Capitol News)