Blasted fish seized

A truck with 48 boxes of blasted fish on the way to the Pasil public market in Cebu City was seized yesterday.

The random patrol by the Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force stopped the truck in barangay Cansaga, Consolacion town.

The cargo, valued at about P48,000, included toloy fish with damaged internal organs, a sign that they were caught using explosives.

Truck driver Resty Buenavista said he was hired to deliver the fish from Medellin town in the north to Pasil market.

The owner was identified by markings of the boxes as Walt Jean of Kawit, Medellin.

The driver and the truck will be released after an inventory is made, said Jeoffrey Merencillo of the provincial agriculturist office. He said they only need to retain two blasted fish in each box as evidence.

The seized fish are safe for consumption and will be donated to charity institutions.  REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL