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Man arrested for allegedly using illegal gill-net for fishing
Division of Fish and Wildlife Investigation Unit officers arrested last week a man who was allegedly using an illegal gill-net to fish at a Lau Lau Beach dive spot.
Ignacio C. Villagomez, 39, was arrested for violating fishing regulations. The offense carries a penalty of imprisonment for not more than 30 days or a fine of not more than $2,000, or both.
At a bail hearing last week, Superior Court Associate Judge David A. Wiseman imposed a $100 cash bail and $900 unsecured bond.
Wiseman prohibited Villagomez from fishing and ordered him to stay away from the ocean during his pre-trial release.
The judge suggested to the Office of the Attorney General to just summons the defendant to appear in court instead of serving an arrest warrant.
Fish and Wildlife Investigation Unit law enforcement officer Erwin T. Flores stated in his report that a conservation officer received information on Oct. 27, 2014, from a concerned citizen regarding illegal gill-net fishing at the Lau Lau Beach.
Flores said that, according to the concerned citizen, Villagomez was seen several times between 5pm and 7:30pm using a gill-net without procuring a special permit from the Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Pursuant to the law, gill-net fishing is only authorized for special circumstances such as church village fiestas and only upon applying for a special permit from the Department of Lands and Natural Resources secretary.
Flores said during investigation and surveillances, Villagomez was observed fishing using gill-net on several occasions at Lau Lau Beach.
Flores said Villagomez was also seen bringing the fish he caught to a store in San Vicente.
