July 14, 2008
Philippine fish bureau seizes imported shrimp
The Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Central Visayas (BFAR-7) seized more than 13 million Pacific white shrimps from two hatchery operators based in Liloan town, Cebu City last June 26.
BFAR-7 assistant Regional director Allan Poquita said the two operators, Lin Chia and Elnes Bellocalio, owned the Samaryan Hatchery in Barangay Catarman where they bred more than 13 million illegally imported penneus vannamei or Pacific white shrimp.
Poquita said the Pacific white shrimps were illegally imported because Chia and Bellocalio could not present any proof of acquisition showing the species were obtained from local sources.
While importation of Pacific white shrimp is allowed under the law, BFAR personnel should inspect the stocks to ensure it is disease-free and of superior quality.