Zeroing in on blast fishing

Virgilio Alforque, regional director of Region IV-B (Mamiropa: Marinduque, Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan) reported recently to Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento Jr. of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) their campaign against blast fishing had scored two apprehensions.

On Feb. 22 and Feb. 25, 2005 operatives of Provincial Fishery Office-Palawan (PFO-Palawan) headed by OIC Ruben J. Jardin apprehended "talakitok" and "dalagang bukid" respectively.

In the first apprehension some 400 kilograms of "talakitok" (Caranx sp.) were seized while being unloaded at a warehouse owned by Robin Colonia at Roxas St., Puerto Princesa City.

The contraband was under surveillance a day ago. Since the truck is already identified "on-the-spot scientific examination" was conducted and the catch was found positively caught by blast fishing. The owner of the truck was Mrs. Marlyn Andrin of Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan. The fish catch were given to the provincial jail and city jail pursuant to FAO 206 while the incident was witnessed by local media and properly documented.

In the second apprehension, conducted jointly by BFAR-PFO and Bantay Dagat of the city, some 800 kgs. of "dalagang bukid" (Caesio sp.) contained in 40 ft. x80 box ft. on board the truck (Plate No. 379) while entering Puerto Princesa Port to be transported to Manila via a Negros Navigation ship.

The owner of the dynamited fish is Ricardo Potes Sonio of Barangay. Tagbita, Rizal, Palawan which was under surveillance for long time. Coordination with PPA was made requesting the shipment to undergo quarrantine inspection owing to the reports that the loaded fish catch are caught by dynamite. On-the-spot scientific fish inspection shows that fish was, indeed, caught by means of explosives.

The activities was witnessed by local media while evidences gathered were sufficient to warrant the filing of complaint for violation of Sec. 88 of R.A. 8550. The fish catch will be disposed in accordance with FAO 206.

Caption: Disposal of confiscated fish caught by dynamite is witnessed by BFAR Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento Jr.