BFAR seizes 4.6 tons of imported fish

PILI, Camarines Sur—Some 4.6 tons of fish from Taiwan were intercepted in Naga City Thursday night after the fish dealer failed to show importation and sanitary permits, an official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regulatory Division said Friday.

Francisco P. Ombao, head of BFAR-RD, said that with help from the police they were able to confiscate the assorted fish, which were packed in 460 boxes and being unloaded along a road fronting a fish dealer’s house in Barangay Mabulo.

Ombao identified the importer as Henry Dy, who distributed the fish to dealers Antonio Lara and Godofredo Doblon.

Dy, a fish dealer based in Navotas, Metro Manila, came here Friday to meet with BFAR regulatory officials. He declined to be interviewed by the Inquirer.

Ombao said they had been monitoring the wet markets in Naga City and Pili, Camarines Sur upon receiving reports that assorted imported fish were being sold there.

He said their informant tipped them off Thursday night about the arrival of the fish from Navotas.

Ombao said they asked Lara to show his permits but the latter could not produce these so that the load of fish, which consisted of “tulingan” (skipjack tuna), “timon-timon” (herring) and “pusit” squid, were confiscated.

But Lara was able to pinpoint Dy as the fish importer.

Ombao said the importation permit would show whether the product is for human consumption, animal feeds or cannery while the sanitary permit issued by the country of origin would give information as to the safety of the product.

He said they did not file inquest against Lara and Doblon but only seized the imported fish and stored them at the Camaligan Fish Port in Barangay Dugcal in Camaligan town in Camarines Sur.

Ombao said the fish could have been distributed in the towns of Pili, Pasacao, Tigaon and Naga City had police not intervened.

Dennis Del Socorro, BFAR regional director, said their legal team would still study what action to take after they have questioned Dy about the fish. He said officials also have yet to determine the equivalent amount in pesos of the seized goods.