Philippine Coast Guard Nails Shark Fin Smugglers
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it has apprehended a motor vessel carrying prohibited shark fin meat.
The passenger/cargo vessel Trisha Kerstin 2, owned and operated by Aleson Shipping Lines INC, and skippered by Capt. Joel P. Mendoza, was allegedly carrying prohibited shark meat from Bongao, Tawi-tawi to Port of Zamboanga City, where it was seized by the PCG on September 9.
Thereafter, the team apprehended and found two perishable crate box containing approximately two tons of assorted fish, one butanding and four classes of specie, including 38 shark tails, 20 shark fins and three butanding tails, which will be turned over to the custody of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Zamboanga City.
The ship’s crew failed to present BFAR Permit, and the VSEI Team issued seizure receipt and certificate of orderly inspection to the vessel master.
The Joint Law Enforcement Operations were conducted by VSEI Team of Coast Guard Station Zamboanga, FS Personnel, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Regional Office 9 (BFAR-RIX) and City Agriculture Office.