With a past history of dynamite and cyanide fishing, the Philippines has sustained much damage to its coral reefs. In an effort to control this in Palawan, the government introduced the Bantay Dagat (Baywatch) program in 1992.
There was a ban on illegal fishing techniques as well as the introduction of fish sanctuaries and reserves. Local communities combined with naval and police forces to enable constant coastal surveillance – no mean feat with such a vast area of ocean to patrol. Heavy sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment for offenders help to maintain the zero tolerance level.
There was a ban on illegal fishing techniques as well as the introduction of fish sanctuaries and reserves. Local communities combined with naval and police forces to enable constant coastal surveillance – no mean feat with such a vast area of ocean to patrol. Heavy sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment for offenders help to maintain the zero tolerance level.
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