P1.7-M seashell shipment seized

OPERATIVES of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) seized over the weekend some P1.7 million worth of seashells off Zamboanga City, an official said.

Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan, Navforwem commander, said Monday, September 2, that the shipment of seashells was intercepted in a private wharf in the village of Baliwasan, west of Zamboanga City.

Kagaoan said the troops were on maritime patrol when they spotted a "jungkung-type" motorboat, M/V Mardia, which had just moored in a private wharf coming from Pangutaran, Sulu.

He said the motorboat was loaded with 13 sacks of seashells, which consisted the following: helmet shell, 157 pieces; trumphet shell, 4; frog shell, 35; bonnet shell, 10; spider cooch, 4; gold lip shell, 44; murex, 3; and smooth top shell, 238.

He said they seized the shipment of the seashells, as it was in violation of Section 102, Republic Act 10654 or the amended Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

He said the confiscated seashells were turned over to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.