Philippine authorities today confirmed receiving reports that two fishing vessels from the country were boarded by the United States Coast Guard in the international waters north of the Republic of Palau and were found to have no international fishing license.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) assistant director Benjamin Tabios on Friday said they received an e-mail from the US Coast Guard about the incident which could affect the tuna industry in the Philippines.

A two-year ban on tuna fishing in international waters was put into effect starting January this year by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) due to rapidly declining tuna stock.  

A three-month ban on tuna fishing using fish aggregating devices is also in effect every year from July to September. 

Member countries of the WCPFC, however, are allowed to fish within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone provided fishing vessels using this method must have observers on board and must subscribe to the vessel monitoring system (VMS) and equipped with proper licenses.  

The Philippines is a member country of the WCPFC.

Tabios said the two fishing vessels, a purse seiner and a carrier, were accosted outside the pocket of high seas within the Western and Central Pacific where the two-year ban is in effect.

Still, the government will look into the report, according to the fisheries official.

Tabios said they already sent notice of the hearing to the owners and operators of the Filipino fishing vessels, reportedly based in Mati, Davao Oriental.

He said they would file appropriate administrative charges against the owners and operators of the fishing vessel if found guilty of violating Philippine fishing laws.

Tabios declined to give the name of the fishing boats as well as their owners.

“We are still conducting investigation and we have yet to receive a reply from the boat owners,” Tabios said.

The incident was disclosed before the media during the 12th National Tuna Congress in General Santos city.

Ironically, President Benigno Aquino III, in his keynote address delivered by former Senator Mar Roxas, warned fishermen against violating international agreements and Philippine fishing laws.