By Khier A. Cohina
Correspondent
CEBU CITY (Feb. 12, 2024) – The city’s Bantay Dagat plans to use Shell Island as location for its base of operations.
Retired P/Col. Alexander Soledad, Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission (CCBDC) executive director, said he is in coordination with local and national agencies to secure permits to use Shell Island.
Shell Island is located less than a kilometer away from the mainland and is located under the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).
“Nakig-coordinate mi sa DENR ug CCENRO kay gusto ni Mayor (Mike Rama) nga atong paninduton ang lugar kay naa man gud na sa ubos sa CCLEX,” he said during Bantay Dagat‘s program over Sugboanon Channel.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has jurisdiction over the island.
Soledad said that CCBDC plans to use Shell Island as a site for their headquarters if given the permission to use it.
“Siguro kanang mga kasikbit pareha anang mga reclaimed or kanang Shell Island diha kay open man siya, atong applyan siguro kung unsa may pamaagi nga pwede nato mapanindot ang lugar,” he added.
The University of Cebu once used Shell Island for its maritime training after it secured a forest land agreement with the DENR.
In 2015, the late Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy claimed the island for his town noting that DENR failed to maintain the place.
The CCLEX contractor used a part of the island from 2017 while erecting the bridge’s support beams.
Campaign vs. illegal fishers
Bantay Dagat also reminded the public that its campaign against illegal fishing remains active.
Soledad said its market denial operations have been effective against those who sell endangered marine species, such as sharks, sea turtles, and rays.
Through such program, Bantay Dagat conducts checkpoints to random fish ports in the city for fish caught illegally.
The city prohibits the catching and selling of endangered marine species under City Ordinance 2496.
Sharks, rays, and sea turtles are often caught for their meat which are used as an ingredient for “linarang,” a Cebu-based sour seafood stew.
Soledad said those caught killing, catching, and selling of endangered marine species are expected to face hefty penalties, including imprisonment.
“Gidili gyud ni sa atong balaod nga dili gyud ni angay e-kunsumo kining mga pawikan kay dako kaayo ni’g multa. Pwede ka mapriso ana. Ug kaning stingrays ug uban pang klase sa mga shells nga di angay kuhaon,” he pointed out.
Aside from market denial, the CCBDC also conducts seaborne patrols to ensure the safety and security of the city’s coast, he added. | PPRMN / kac
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