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Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Fisheries agency: White shark fishing now banned
AFTER being listed in the Appendix II of the Cites (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the gathering or harvest and export of the Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias), locally known as "pating" and the Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), also locally known as "mameng," are now prohibited, effective on the second week of January.
According to Regional Director Arlene B. Pantanosas of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Section 97 of the Philippine Fisheries Code or Republic Act 8550 makes it unlawful to fish to take rare, threatened or endangered species as listed in the Cites.
She said the prohibition applies to the whole specimens, their parts and derivatives. In the case of the Great White Shark, the prohibition includes its fins, teeth, and jaws.
Director Pantanosas said these highly valuable parts are being targeted commercially and by recreational fishers and added that these were reported to enter illegal national and international trade.
On the part of the Humphead Wrasse Director Pantanosas said it was listed as vulnerable because of overfishing and the recent introduction of export fisheries associated with the international live reef food fish trade.
Violators face a penalty of imprisonment from 12 to 20 years and/or a fine of P120,000, and forfeiture of the aquatic specimens and cancellation of fishing permit.
Cites is an international agreement enforced starting 1975 and was signed by more than 150 parties.
It is designed to control and regulate international trade and movement of animal and plant species that have been or may be threatened due to excessive commercial exploitation. (Trends)
(January 26, 2005 issue)
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