80 boxes of dynamited fish seized

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu Provincial Anti-illegal Fishing Task Force confiscated an estimated 3,600 kilos of fish believed to have been captured with the use of dynamites in the northern town of Medellin. 

Joefrey Merencillo, task force coordinator, said they received information about the catch from a tipster. The 80 boxes of fish coming from Barangays Mahawak and Kawit, which were seized at about 11 in the morning yesterday, were reportedly supposed to be transported to the Pasil Fish Market in Cebu City.

The boxes of fish were seized while on board the truck that was supposed to transport the same to Cebu City. Merencillo said the fish were products of dynamite fishing, but no one reportedly claimed ownership of the same.

Yesterday, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia reiterated the provincial government’s warning against those involved in illegal fishing. She said the province will run after anyone that violates the law.

“Gikataw-an ang mga task force kay naay nakalusot but dili tanan nga higayon makalusot sila kay padayon ta sa atong campaign against illegal fishing,” Garcia said.

Garcia said the confiscated fish will be distributed to the Sisters of Mary Academy (girls and boys town) in Minglanilla, Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), Cebu City Jail, and to the victims of fire in Barangay Caretta in Cebu City.

Just last week, operatives of the Cebu City Bantay Dagat Task Force confiscated P30,000 worth of dynamited fish while these were being transported to the Pasil Fish Market.

Bantay Dagat project director Ranulfo Sebusa said his men apprehended two truckloads of fish locally known as “toloy” at the North Reclamation Area.

According to Sebusa, of the 62 boxes of fish hauled by the two trucks, only 22 boxes were found with illegally caught fish when these were examined by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. They were confiscated in favor of the government.

The rest of the marine products were released, but Sebusa failed to identify the real owner of the fish.

The Bantay Dagat official said the fish products that were found to be illegally caught were later donated to different charitable institutions.

Sebusa said no one claimed ownership of the fish products. He expects that there will be more confiscation of illegally-caught fish in the coming days if the fish dealers will continue their activities. — (FREEMAN)