BFAR-7 files case vs. 2 hatchery operators

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has filed a complaint before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutors’ Office against two hatchery operators in Liloan town for illegal importation and culture of shrimps.

Lin Chia Ching and Elnes Bellocelio were accused of violating Fisheries Administrative Order No. 225 and 225-1 for operating the Samaryan Hatchery in barangay Catarman, Liloan without permit from the government.

Operatives from the BFAR-7 and the members of the Liloan Police Station swooped down on Samaryan Hatchery last June 26 based on a search warrant issued by Mandaue City Regional Trial Court Judge Marilyn Yap.

The team found out during the raid that Samaryan Hatchery has 17 major concrete tanks used to culture “penneus vannamei” shrimps, an imported species not found in the Philippines.

   Eight of these tanks were filled with penneus vannamei broodstock, two were filled with juveniles, another two were filled with fry, and five tanks were filled with eggs. A total of 19,340 pieces of broodstock, 3,500 pieces of juveniles, 1.021 million pieces of fry and 12.7 million pieces of eggs were confiscated by BFAR during the raid.

The authorities also seized the equipment and other paraphernalia used in the hatchery operation.

BFAR-7 assistant regional director Allan Poquita said the hatchery is operating illegally because it did not have the required accreditation from them. Poquita said culturing penneus vannanei species of shrimps without accreditation from BFAR is criminally punishable under Fisheries Administrative Orders No. 225 and 225-1.

Poquita said the respondents also failed to present documents showing that the shrimps seized were locally acquired. According to him, it is not also likely that the species were bought locally because it is not found in the Philippines.

He said this means that the species were imported without permit because the respondents could not be given clearance to import since they do not have the required accreditation from the BFAR. — Fred P. Languido/LPM