30 sacks of prohibited helmet shells confiscated

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) intercepted and seized at least 30 sacks of fully grown helmet shells aboard a ferry in a wharf of the Philippine Ports Authority here yesterday morning.

Lt. Commander Jomark Angue, PCG station commander, said the helmet shells were intercepted aboard M/V Kristel Jane II which arrived at the PPA port from Jolo, Sulu at around 8 a.m. yesterday.

Fishery law enforcer Raffy Adelton Tan said the poaching of cassis cornuta or helmet shells, locally known as budyong, is prohibited under Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, and Fisheries Administrative Order No. 208 s. 2001.

Tan said anyone caught poaching and selling helmet shells faces a jail term of 10 to 20 years and P120,000 fine.

Tan and Angue placed the value of the seized helmet shells at P200,000.