The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) seized on Tuesday illegally sold stingray meat at the Pasil Fish Market valued at P21,600.

DVMF chief Dr. Alice Utlang cited the Marine Species Protection Ordinance which prohibits the catching, sale and display of various endangered and regulated marine species, including manta rays and stingrays, within Cebu City.

She revealed that the stingrays were discovered during a routine market inspection, which was part of an ongoing enforcement operations targeting vendors who traded in protected or regulated species.

The owner, identified as a certain V. Catingub, was fined P5,000 by the DVMF. The shipment was traced to have originated from Zamboanga.

Cebu City Ordinance No. 2496 or the Marine Species Protection Ordinance was enacted in 2005.

The ordinance is to preserve marine biodiversity and to protect vulnerable aquatic species.

Violators will be fined from P1,000 to P5,000 and possible cancellation of business permits for repeat offenses.

DVMF reminded vendors that ignorance of the law does not exempt them from penalties and encouraged the public to report similar violations to help protect the city’s marine resources.