The Fishery Resources Protection Group (FRPG) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) intercepted recently some blasted fishery products in Coron, Palawan.
A team led by BFAR-Provincial Fisheries Officer (PFO) Northern Palawan, Rey Templonuevo, Fish Examiner Deo Fajardo, members of fishery law enforcement and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard, inspected the fish samples and after conducting a scientific fish examination it was found out positive that it was caught by the use of explosives.
Some 500 kilos of fish mostly identified as Caesio species locally known as “dalagang bukid” were confiscated.
Some 17 boxes of the fishery products with GB markings from Linapacan, Palawan were later properly disposed and donated to charitable institutions.
The BFAR said that the shipper of the products requested a Local Transport Permit from their office, before it will be loaded to the ship bound for Manila.
They said that the suspect carrying the fishery prpducts faced violation of Section 126, Possessing, Dealing In or Disposing Illegally caught or taken fish of the Republic Act 8550 as amended by Republic Act 10654 or Fisheries Code of the Philippines.
They appealed to the public, specifically the fisherfolk not to engaged in illegal fishing activities, and help protect and sustain the country’s fishery resources.