CEBU, Philippines - Another 14 sacks of corals believed to be endangered were recovered by authorities Friday from a coral processing shop in Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City.
The recovery came just a day after the Provincial Anti-illegal Fishing Task Force seized 16 endangered shells from the same area. This time around, the sacks recovered contained species of Sea fans and Blue corals.
Task force head Loy Anthony Madrigal said the shop owners Alfredo and Teresita Ylaya surrendered the corals voluntarily. Surveillance showed that the shop produces items made out of corals.
Madrigal said the corals are considered endangered and vulnerable and gathering them is prohibited under Republic Act 8550 or the Fisheries Code of the Philippines.
Likewise, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a global environmental organization, included the Blue Coral (Heliopora coerulea), the name of which was derived from its skeleton's color, in its Red List for Endangered Species.
Madrigal said the Sea fans, marine animals that grow in a flat, fanlike pattern, are already century-old.
The Fisheries Code of the Philippines mandates that fishing or taking of rare, threatened or endangered species, is punishable by imprisonment of up to 20 years and fine of P120,000.
The seized corals are now under the custody of Capitol.
Madrigal said he will refer the matter to the Provincial Legal Office today for appropriate action.
"Amo pa ning i-report ngadto sa Provincial Legal Office. Ugma (Lunes) makigkita ko sa mga tag-iya didto sa kapitolyo," he told The Freeman.
Last Thursday, the task force seized four sacks of century-sea fans and endangered shells from a warehouse in San Roque, Talisay City.
Sixteen endangered species were seized by authorities, which included Sea Fans, Horse Hoof Clam, Fluted or Scaly Giant clam, Smooth Top Shells, Green snail, Helmet shells, Beek's Cowrie, Katsue's Cowrie, Tibia martini, and Money Cowrie.
Madrigal said these could be used for home decor and accessories. — /JMO (FREEMAN)