THE Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force (CPAIFTF) confiscated illegally caught fish worth P40,000, which was supposed to be delivered to the Pasil Public Market.

The fish was allegedly caught through dynamite blasting.

Eight boxes of fish locally known as tuloy were seized from two trucks. Each box of fish is said to be worth P5,000.

Rudillo Codilla, head of Team Eskina of CPAIFTF, said they caught the two Elf trucks while conducting their regular operation.

The first truck (JEH 331) was caught at 10 a.m. yesterday in Barangay Magay, Compostela. Its driver was identified as Resty Buenavista.

Out of the 22 boxes of fish inside the truck, six boxes contained blasted fish.

The second truck (JDX 301) was stopped in Liloan at 11:49 a.m. The driver was identified as Cicilio Estenzo.

His truck carried 14 boxes of assorted fish. Two of the boxes of tuloy fish had been blasted.

Fish examiner Nathaniel Lucero, of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, said the fish came from Barangay Mahawak, Medellin and was believed to have been caught in the Visayan Sea.

The blasted fish, which was still good for consumption, was given to the Sisters of Mary Girls Town in Talisay City and Boys Town in Minglanilla, Cebu. The drivers were released from custody.

Codilla said the Provincial Board must come up with a resolution that punishes those who deliver illegally caught fish.