The Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF), in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Office 7 and the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO), organized a Coastal Law Enforcement Training for bantay dagat (fish wardens). The training aimed to deputize fish wardens and provide them with essential skills and knowledge to protect the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef.
The training sessions were held in two batches. The first batch took place in Panglao, Bohol, from May 7 to 9, 2024, with 47 participants from the municipalities surrounding the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef, including Bien Unido, Tubigon, Trinidad, Ubay, Buenavista, Talibon, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Clarin, and Getafe. Representatives from BPEMO also attended. The second batch was held in San Isidro, Baclayon, Bohol, from May 14 to 16, 2024, with 23 participants from the municipalities of Buenavista, Talibon, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Clarin, and Getafe.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including identifying fishing gear, detecting fish caught with poisonous substances and explosives, coastal resource management, basic navigation, chart reading and plotting, and understanding and enforcing Republic Act (RA) 10654, also known as “The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.” To provide a practical understanding of these concepts, participants engaged in mock seaborne patrols and market inspections.
The success of the training was made possible with the support of the Local Government Unit of Panglao through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) and the City Government of Tagbilaran through the City Economic Enterprise Office. The comprehensive training equipped the bantay dagat with the necessary tools to enhance their efforts in protecting the Danajon Bank Double Barrier Reef, ensuring the preservation of this critical marine ecosystem.
