MANILA, Philippines — A total of 467 boxes of imported fish of different species were seized from two dealers during a recent market denial operation in Malabon City.
In a report published on Wednesday (December 2), the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) said the illegal packages were seized by the agency’s team of law enforcers and fisheries inspectors in an operation held on Monday (November 30).
The operation is in line with the directives from BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona to intensify efforts against illegal importation.
According to the report, one of the fish dealers was unable to present the necessary importation documents of fish intended for wet markets when asked by authorities.
The required documents include Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Certificate, delivery receipts, and transport clearance, without which is a violation of Sec. 105 or unlawful importation and exportation of fish or fishery species of Republic Act (RA) 8550, as amended by RA 10654 and in relation to FAO 195.
Meanwhile, the delivery receipt presented by the second dealer does not match the delivery receipt being issued by the alleged importing company, as per verification with the importer.
Notices of Violation for the filing of administrative cases were already issued to the dealers of imported fish.
The seized items, which include boxes of galunggong, mackerel, squid, yellow tail salmon, and moonfish, are kept in a storage facility under the custody of the apprehending team.
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