The Iloilo Provincial Government intensified its campaign against illegal fishing by training "fish wardens" on the implementation and enforcement of the existing fishery laws.

The training on Fishery Law Enforcement and Enhancement (FLEET) is spearheaded by the Provincial Agriculture Office in partnership with the concerned local government units.

For the month of November and December this year the trainings will be conducted in Barosbos, Carles (Nov. 13-15), Banate (Nov. 20-22), San Joaquin (1st week of December), Ajuy (2nd week of December), and Concepcion (3rd week of December).

The training of the marginal fisherfolk and municipal and barangay officials aims to orient the participants on the different fishery laws related to the development, management and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources in the province.

Participants who have completed the training would be deputized by their mayor as Fish Wardens (Bantay Dagat), who is tasked to deliver basic services such as environmental protection and coastal law enforcement.

FLEET is one of the activities under the Provincial Bantay Dagat Program of the FLEET Project of the provincial government.

Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo, meanwhile, called on the coastal communities to help law enforcers in the conservation and protection of Iloilo's coastal and marine environment.*PAO/ Capitol News