Four vendors were arrested on Wednesday after authorities seized more than 66 kilograms of puffer fish being sold at the public market in Nabua town in Camarines Sur.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Bicol (BFAR-5), in coordination with the Nabua police, inspected the public market at 6 a.m. This led to the arrest of the vendors for violating Fisheries Administrative Order No. 249, series of 2014, which bans the sale and distribution of puffer fish.
Wheng Bricia-Briones, BFAR Bicol information officer, said violators can be penalized with imprisonment from two months to a year, and a fine of not less than P10,000.
She said seven kilograms of puffer fish were worth P1,400; another seven kilograms were worth P1,540; 7.02 kilograms were worth P1,404; and 45 kilograms were seized, valued at P45,000.
Administrative charges will be filed against the four suspects.
The confiscated fish were brought to the BFAR regional office for proper disposition.
The agency reiterated its warning against the sale, whether fresh or processed, and consumption of pufferfish, locally known as ‘butete,’ citing its potent toxin that can cause serious illness or, worse, may lead to death.