The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) MIMAROPA is investigating the incident surrounding the 360 kilograms of blasted “alumahan” fish abandoned by still unidentified individuals in the fish landing area in Barangay 3, Coron, Palawan, yesterday, November 11, 2020.
According to a Facebook post by the BFAR Fisheries Resource Protection Group (FRRG) MIMAROPA, their Northern Palawan Station led by FIRO 1 Chezter Carpio was informed at around 12 p.m. that blasted fishes were set to be delivered to Coron’s public market.
Upon receiving the information, the team reportedly contacted the Provincial Fisheries Office and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Coron Station for assistance, then headed to the fish landing area of Barangay 3.
The fishery products were contained in nine tubs and were already abandoned in the area when the authorities arrived.
“Fish Examiner Deo Fajardo conducted a scientific fish examination promptly and found out that the fish sample was POSITIVELY caught by means of explosives. The team confiscated a total of 360 kgs. of fish from the six (6) tubs marked with “MEAN” and three (3) tubs marked with “CHE” for proper disposition to charitable institutions,” the BFAR said in their Facebook post.
The fish intercepted by the BFAR team is programmed for proper disposition to charitable institutions, and the investigation surrounding this case is still ongoing as of writing.
Meanwhile, the BFAR seeks the support of the public to report illegal fishing activities and possession of illegally caught fish to prevent further destruction of Palawan’s fisheries and aquatic resources. Their office can be reached through their hotline number (0930) 880 6678.