THE Lapu-Lapu City Task Force Kalikasan confiscated around 300 assorted live tropical fish and 10 boxes of sea urchin shells in a port in Sitio Angasil, Barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning.

Orlando Lyson, chair of the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, estimated the value of the fish at P5,000.

He could not determine the value of the confiscated sea urchin shells.

Lyson said the fish were confiscated around 10:30 a.m. from Nenita Cañete, a resident of Barangay Sabang in Olango Island, after she failed to present a business permit and a permit to gather.

The fish, which include blue damsel, angel fish, wrasse, tomato fish and starfish, were intended for aquariums, Lyson said.

They were released back to a fish sanctuary at Shangri-La’s Island Mactan Resort yesterday afternoon.

The sea urchin shells will be returned to the owner once the permits are complied with, said Lyson.