BFAR, advocates differ on shark importation ban

An executive of the regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR–7) said that the proposed measure banning the trading of all species of sharks in Lapu-Lapu City is a good move, but City Hall should think twice about the move to ban its importation.

But conservationists are saying, why not?

BFAR-7 is supportive of Lapu-Lapu City’s ordinance which prohibits fishing or catching of any sharks, turtles, whales and dolphins for personal or commercial use, said BFAR-7 assistant regional director Dr. Allan Poquita.

But he said the proposed measure should have a clear provision on shark meat importation.

“Para sa akoa [for me], this is a good ordinance. However, ipaklaro ni [it should be clear] whether those importers of shark meat are included in this ordinance because as per provision of the ordinance it is only fishing, catching, as part of food ingredients and as part of aesthetic use,” said Poquita.

Poquita said he is concerned about the welfare of the importers of shark fins.

“Now, how about these importer of sharks nga ang ilang gigamit ra gyud ang shark fins [that only use the fins], the fins they dry will be exported?

“Para nako basta imported, di siguro makadaot sa atoa sa Pilipinas [For me, if it is imported, it may not cause harm to the Philippines because] because the raw resources are coming from other countries, if i-ban na nato, puydi man ibaligya sa laing nasod [even if we ban it, they can still sell it abroad], whereas og naa ka sa atoa there is a synergy of the economy, daghag makatrabaho [it can generate jobs],” said Poquita.

But conservation groups said that what Poquita is saying is easier said than done.

“We would like to remind the BFAR official that among the stumbling blocks of Philippine fishery exports is the issue of traceability of our products,” said Vince Cinches, oceans campaigner of Greenpeace.

Allowing importation of shark meat and processing here for export is prone to abuse, he warned.
“We are still not yet over BFAR’s haphazard inspection and release of supposedly imported shark meat that was held by Lapu-Lapu authorities last month,” Cinches said.

He suggested that instead of trying to influence the watering down of the proposed Lapu-Lapu City ordinance to ban shark catching, trading and processing, BFAR should satisfy the issues raised by the country’s export market, especially the European Union, which is demanding that fishery exports from the Philippines “should be traceable in terms of source of the catch, legal methods in catching and a credible certificate of origin of fishery products.”

He instead urged the local government to strengthen documentation of all shark processors and the landing of shark imports in the city and exports.

The City Council of Lapu-Lapu has deferred action on the proposed ordinance pending the holding of public consultations.

The shark ban ordinance was endorsed by Mayor Paz Radaza and the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council.

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