New batch of shark meat intercepted

CEBU, Philippines - A multicab loaded with 1,650 kilos of assorted sliced shark meat and whale shark meat was intercepted by the Lapu-Lapu City Police Task Force Kalikasan in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City late afternoon yesterday.

Initial investigation revealed that the shark meat came from Barangay Marigondon, also in Lapu-Lapu City, and was in transit to Barangay Pasil in Cebu City when intercepted around 5:30 p.m.

It appeared that the meat was made to dry, said officer Brando Marana of the Lapu-Lapu City police. The meat was placed in several sacks, including the fins, which are reportedly good for soup. 

Arrested during the operation were driver Federico Cabido, 48, a resident of Barangay Pasil and his companion, Adonis Dolores, 21. They are detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Cabido reportedly owns the Mazda multicab with plate number 070902 and he was reportedly hired by a man referred to as “Pandak”.

Just last week, almost 500 kilos of thresher shark meat on board an Isuzu Elf Truck was intercepted in Naga City. The truck with plate number YKC-424 reportedly belongs to Tirso’s Fish Food Product in Lapu-Lapu City.

Yesterday, representatives of two factories allegedly using shark meat as ingredient for fish ball and tempura assured to refrain from importing and using shark meat in their products. Sea World operates in Consolacion town while Sea Master operates in Cebu City.

Loy Anthony Madrigal, head of the provincial government’s Anti-illegal Fishing Task Force, said they are glad of the two companies’ cooperation but the task force will continue to monitor their operations.

“Maau nang ingon ana gud kay sa panahon nga mo-inspect mi, unya madakpan sila, di na sila moingon nga wa sila kabalo sa ordinance kay mi-commit na man sila,” he said.

It was Madrigal who made public the reported practice of companies to use shark meat as alternative ingredient in making sea food products like tempura and fish ball.

Sea World Manager King Don has denied doing so but shared shark meat was indeed used by other companies in making fish ball and tempura in the past. 

He admitted that it was only after news about impounding of shark meat broke recently that they learned catching Thresher shark is prohibited.

“In fact among gipanggamit ron is other species, diwit or barla. We also get from other processor kani ilang mga cuttings. We refrain anang mga ingon anang panguha og shark meat,” he said.

Under the Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ordinance 2012, hunting and transporting of vulnerable species such as Thresher shark are being banned.

Madrigal asked the representatives of the companies to surrender existing shark meat in their possession.

“We don’t wanna kill your business but at the same time we want your support to protect them aron sab ma-clear sa public nga wala na mo migamit… This is also to show good faith and commitment sa pagprotect sa endangered and vulnerable marine species nato,” Madrigal told the representatives.

Later, an Australian who identified himself as Daniel Walker allegedly went to claim the sharks. Walker, who said he was an importer of shark fins and that the sharks came from Australia and were being imported here. They were also gummy sharks, he said, not thresher.

He added his company just takes the fins, but locals buy the rest of the shark to make “buwad”.  (FREEMAN)