Sacks of trochus locally known as samong were seized in Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City. (Web)
Three large motorized bancas were held by authorities on suspicion that they transported prohibited species of sea shells from Palawan.
The three bancas docked in Brgy. Tinggo in Olango Island, Lapu-lapu City last Friday, said the officer-in-charge of Coast Guard-Olango, who asked not to be named.
Upon inspection by the Naval Forces Central and Coast Guard-Cebu Station, one of the bancas, MB Josevel Joy 4, were found carrying sacks of shells initially identified as trochus (Trochus niloticus) locally known as samong.
He said the sacks of shells from MB Jovel Joy 2 and MB Jovel Joy 3 were transferred to a makeshift warehouse near the coast before the inspection.
“They arrived early in the morning. We were only able to hold the last vessel,” the Coast Guard officer said.
He said crew members revealed that the shells came from the West Philippine Seas in Tubbataha Reef.
The crew said at one point of their travel, they were chased by a Chinese vessel.
The Coast Guard brought personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to the islet to examine the sacks of shells on MB Josevel Joy 4.
Mar Guidote of USAid-Ecofish, said samong is one of the most sought-after shell species that thrive in the shallow rocky waters of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
He said trochus is a large cone-like pinkish shell which houses the mother of pearl, a valuable material in making jewelry, accessories and other cosmetic products.
He said the shells are sold at P150-300 per kilo.
Fisheries Administrative Order 208 series of 2001 classified trochus as threatened species. The collection and trade of these species is prohibited under the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
Last May, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III met with governors of Tawi-Tawi and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) at the Cebu Provincial Capitol to discuss collaborative enforcement initiatives in the provinces.
Cebu is one of the transhipment points for raw corals and shells for processing.
Abanto said the shells will be shipped to Ouano wharf in Mandaue City using a boat from the Coast Guard.