350 pieces of live mameng find their way back home

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap released Wednesday at the Tubbataha National Reserve 350 pieces of live mameng (scientific name: Cheilinus undulatus) which had been confiscated from Chinese poachers who were arrested last Dec. 21.

Yap was accompanied by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Malcolm I. Samiento, Jr. and Lory Tan of the World Wildlife Fund.

The mameng (Napoleon wrasse) were recovered from the fish hold of a Chinese fishing vessel named (F/V) Hoi Wan and were brought to the hatchery facility of BFAR at Puerto Princesa for reconditioning as the fish suffered from exhaustion and starvation. The fish stayed in the BFAR facility for almost three months.

Mameng is a prized Chinese delicacy owing to its distinctive taste and soft-textured flesh. It is a large fish that can grow up to 230 cm. and weigh as much as 190 kg.

At maturity, they measure from 111-112 cm. in length. The Napoleon wrasse, also called humphead wrasse, is known to survive for at least 30 years, and takes five to seven years to each sexual maturity.

The fish is commonly caught live in the reef areas of the tropics at sizes sizes well below maturity ‑ one kilogram or less. At this size, mameng is considered as a juvenile, hence there is a real danger of the species becoming extinct if it continues to be fished.

The fish is listed as an endangered species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna or CITES.

There are three cases of poaching in Palawan which are currently being heard by the courts.

One case involves F/B King King Hai which was caught poaching on June 17, 2006 at the vicinity of Mangsee Island, Balabac, Palawan. F/V King King Hai had eight Chinese crew members.

The Chinese fishing boat was apprehended by the DA-BFAR’s patrol vessel MCS 3002. The Chinese poachers have been charged with violating Sec. 87 (Poaching in Phil. Waters) and Sec. 97 (Taking/gathering of Rare/Endangered Species) of RA 8550.

The Chinese poachers have been arraigned and are undergoing trial.

The eight crew members are currently out on bail, while their vessel is under the custody of Naval Forces West, Phil. Navy. There is a petition for the release of the vessel.

Another fishing boat, with no name but with body number 2880 was caught on Oct. 21, 2006 also in the same vicinity of Mangsee Island, Balabac, Palawan.

The Chinese poaching vessel had 24 Chinese nationals. They are similarly charged with violation of Sec. 87 (Poaching in Phil. Waters) and Sec. 88 (Fishing through explosives, noxious or poisonous substance, and/or electricity) of RA 8550.

The Chinese crew members are due for arraignment although the 24 Chinese crew members are out on bail. Their vessel is under temporary custody of the BFAR.

A third apprehension was that of F/V Hoi Wan last Dec, 21. 2006 at the vicinity of the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park.

F/V Hoi Wan had 30 Chinese crew members. The poachers were apprehended by Tubbataha Park Rangers and have been accused of violating Secs. 87, 97 and 100 in relation to Sec 61 of RA 8550, violation of RA 7586 (NIPAS Law) and violation of Sec. 27, RA 9147 (Wildlife Act). The Chinese poachers are out on bail awaiting arraignment.

Their vessel is under the custody of the provincial government of Palawan.