Live corals worth P7.26 million seized in Hagnaya port

CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7,  Fisheries Management, Regulatory and Enforcement and Division (FRPG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have confiscated around P7.26 million worth of illegally shipped live corals intercepted at Hagnaya Port in San Remigio, Cebu.

Authorities found more than 1,000 pieces of live corals, mostly doughnut corals wrapped in boxes.

“[The office] accounted for 1,210 pieces of live coral, 1,103 of which were in small sizes and 107 pieces were in medium size. The appraised market value would be at least P7,260,000.00,” according to the report of FPRG.

On June 13, 2021, the local coast guard sub-station of Hagnaya Port seized five boxes of abandoned items, which were declared as tropical fish, shipped from Cawayan, Masbate.

BFAR-7 regional director, Dr. Allan Poquita, has warned the public against collecting and trading corals since these protect the coastlines from natural calamities such as storms, erosion and reducing the power of waves hitting the coast.

He also added that the fishing communities mostly depend on the coral reefs for food and as a crucial source of income thus, discouraging the public not to patronize people who sell corals, or used in home decorations or souvenirs to help the agency’s efforts diminish the cases of illegal coral shipping.

The BFAR-7 chief was delighted to know that more and more people are getting involved with the advocacy of saving the fisheries and aquatic resources that are being monetized and exploited in several human activities.

He lauded the PCG for its active participation and for its quick efforts to help strengthen the fishery law enforcement in the region.

According to reports from Alberto Simbajon, Jr. of BFAR-7 –FRPG, the confiscated corals are now being in-housed at one of BFAR-7’s facilities, the multi-species hatchery in Barangay Kawit, Medellin for current safekeeping; these corals will later on be released back on the marine sanctuaries.

The Monitoring, Control and Surveillance unit of BFAR-7 also coordinated with its counterpart in Bicol Region, particularly the BFAR Region 5 – FRPG and the Provincial Fishery Office in Masbate. — Jomelou Q. Menorias, CNU Comm Intern, GMR (FREEMAN)