ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned travellers and traders against transporting marine products which are included or prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
 |
| Policemen guard a shipment of shark fins after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources seized them at the Zamboanga International Airport recently. (BFAR) |
The BFAR came out with this warning following the recent seizure of 31.6 pounds of dried shark fins worth over P100,000 at the Zamboanga International Airport. The shark fins were bound for Manila when it was intercepted. The agency did not identify the owner of the shark fins, but said these were confiscated by personnel from the BFAR's Regional Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Unit.
The shark fins, contained in two sacks, were discovered during a random inspection of fishery products conducted by BFAR Quarantine Officer, Remelyn Atilano and Richard Orquijo, local government fishery enforcer. The BFAR said the seized shark fins were those of Rhyncobatus spp. (Wedgefish) and Carcharinus falciformis (Silky Shark), species that are prohibited under the CIES.
The BFAR cited Section 102 (b) of the Amended Philippine Fisheries Code as saying that: “It shall be unlawful to fish, take, catch, gather, sell, purchase, possess, transport, export, forward or ship out aquatic species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora Appendices II and III.”
Shark fins have high monetary and cultural value . They are used in a popular dish called shark fin soup, which is a symbol of status in Chinese culture. The approximate price range for US Shark Fins is between US$ 2.61 and US$ 6.31 per kilogram or between US$ 1.18 and US$ 2.86 per pound(lb). The price in Europe is EUR 2.61 per kg. The average price for a ton is US$ 2608.81 in New York and Washington. (Mindanao Examiner)
No comments:
Post a Comment