BFAR-7 nabs 2 individuals collecting banned fishery products worth nearly P13M

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

 

CEBU CITY-- Violators beware! The Bureau of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7)-Central Visayas issued a stern warning to illegal collectors of banned fishery products such as giant clams, shells and protected species.

BFAR-7 through its Fisheries Resource Protection Group (FRPG), with the barangay officials as witnesses, served the search warrants to the two individuals from Sitio Lupa, Barangay Punta Engaño on June 30 and arrested by local authorities during an operation conducted in Barangay Punta Engaño in Lapulapu City, Cebu having in possession of banned fishery products worth nearly P13 million.

  

 

 

The joint operation resulted to the confiscation of several banned fishery products found at the residence of the two arrested individuals: 3,213 pieces of helmet shell or budyong; 384 pieces of giant clams or taklobo and 107 pieces of small sized giant clams; three boxes containing 81 pieces of triton shell; 52 kilograms of hoof shell or kukung kabayo; one box containing 42 pieces of shark jaw; one box containing three pieces of dried sea turtle; two sacks containing 33 pieces of organ pipe red coral.

Based from the inventory, the estimated appraised market value of the confiscated fishery products was pegged at P12,960,000.

The two were charged for violations of Section 96 ban on coral exploitation and exportation; and Section 102 fishing or taking of rare, threatened or endangered species that are both stipulated under Republic Act (RA) 10654 or "An Act to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing."

They were also found violating Section 27 of RA 9147 or "The Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act"; and Section 2 of Fisheries Administrative Order 158 or the "Prohibition on the Gathering, Taking, Collecting, Selling, Transporting, or Possessing for Sale of Mollusks Belonging to the Genus Triton or Charonia and Cassis."

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) took custody of the two arrested persons and the seized items while inquest proceedings will ensue.

  
BFAR-7 regional director Dr. Allan Poquita, advised people to refrain from catching or gathering the protected species since they play a significant role to marine life.

He urged the public to help the bureau in curbing the illegal trade by reporting to authorities those people who collect species protected under the fishery laws such as giant clams, helmet shell, and triton shell, among others. (Photos: BFAR-7)