MANILA, Philippines—The  Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is going to the grassroots in its bid to curb illegal fishing in the country.

Currently, the fisheries bureau is helping local government units (LGUs) nationwide boost respective capabilities to monitor and address illegal fishing which continues to damage the country’s marine environment.

BFAR director Asis Perez said the LGUs can help prevent the recurrence and proliferation of illegal fishing activities.

“Illegal fishing is rampant nationwide,” he said.

In 2011 alone, several reports surfaced covering various illegal fishing-related incidents across the country.

This includes this week’s reported Manila seizure of fish totaling an estimated 1.5 tons and showing signs of having been caught through blast or dynamite fishing, an illegal method of catching fish.

BFAR and other fishery experts are promoting sustainable fishing to help protect the marine environment from further destruction.

Experts cited blast fishing as contributing to the destruction of the country’s coral reefs, a foraging ground for various fishery species.