DETERMINATION OF FISH

CAUGHT BY MEANS OF
EXPLOSIVES & PRESERVATION
OF FISH SAMPLE EVIDENCE

Rolando P. Tiam
Fish Examiner
Fish
Fishes are cold-blooded animals,
typically with backbone, gills, and
fins (rather than pentadactyl limbs),
and are primarily dependent on
water as a medium in which to live
FISH AND FISHERY AQUATIC PRODUCTS
Include not only finfish but
also mollusk, crustaceans,
echinoderms, marine
mammals, and all other species
of aquatic flora and fauna and
all other products of aquatic
living resources in any form.
* Definition of Terms: RA 8550
External Anatomy of Fish
Internal Anatomy of Fish
Facts About Cyanide and Dynamite Fishing
• The practice has risen in
popularity as a fishing method due
to the very profitable exotic reef
market e.g. for grouper, wrasse
and the aquarium trade. Cyanide
fishing has produced an annual
profit on 1 billion dollars
• Over 330,000 gallons of cyanide
are dumped over coral reefs in the
Philippines every year. This
causes the corals to bleach and
die. Fishermen using crowbars rip
apart corals to retrieve stunned
fish
• Cyanide is mixed to a solution of
5,000-20,000 ppm. Corals die when
exposed to a level of only 600
ppm. Corals exposed to cyanide
can turn white in one day and
overgrown with algae a week later
 Facts About Cyanide and
Dynamite Fishing
• Cyanide is indiscriminate- it stuns the big fish but kills
the smaller, more fragile organisms such as the living
corals and other small organisms
• It is one of the most toxic poisons and takes only 5
mg/kg to kill a person. It is estimated that when using
cyanide, 50% of the fish caught in the reef die
immediately while 80 % of the remaining fish will
succumb to delayed chronic mortality
• dynamite creates a shock wave in a 50-70 meter radius
(fertilizer bombs), killing most fish in its path. Dynamite
impact not only destroys the swim bladder but destroys
demersal plankton, the main food supply of reef species
The SHOCK WAVE travels at a terrific speed approximating
4,940 FEET PER SECOND (GOWANLOCH AND MCDOGALL, 1944)
and exerts tremendous pressure on fish that present a broad
surface to the direction of wave travel.
Fish are literally plastered up against an incompressible wall of
water. The body wall and air space within the fish are
compressed instantaneously, allowing no opportunity for
physiological adjustment to sudden pressure.
Fish with VERY THIN WALLED AIR BLADDER are very
susceptible to shock pressure e.g. LABAHITA, DALAGANG
BUKID, AND SAMARAL.
Fish with TOUGH HEAVY WALLED AIR BLADDER AND A
BODY OF CYLINDRICAL PROPORTIONS, are resistant to
shock pressure e.g. BARRACUDA AND THICK -LIPPED GRUNT
 Facts about Cyanide and
Dynamite Fishing
• In a study made in Southeast Asian countries,
average age of blast fishermen is 16-25 years.
They use dynamite because it is so easy to catch
fish and can make a lot of money quickly which is
commonly used for alcohol and other vices. The
belief that blast fishermen are doing it as a
last resort to feed their families is nothing but
a myth
 EXAMINATION
METHODS
On-the-spot
Examination
An examination method
conducted right in the field
where fish samples were
collected and examined
ADVANTAGES OF ON THE SPOT
EXAMINATION METHOD

1.The Fish
Examiner
himself
collects the
fish sample to
be examined
ADVANTAGES OF ON-THE-SPOT
EXAMINATION METHOD

2. Result of examination is known

on-the-spot thereby violators can
be apprehended immediately and
complaint filed accordingly
EXAMINATION
METHODS
• Laboratory Examination

An examination
method conducted
under a controlled
environment of a
laboratory or room
• Laboratory Examination
may be conducted either through:

Dissection

O
R

Fish X-Ray Machine

DISADVANTAGES OF
FISH XRAY METHOD
• Expensive to buy
• Expensive to maintain
• Fish Examiner must still be
trained in handling the fish x-
ray machine and in interpreting
the result (negatives)
• Complicated testimony in court
SYSTEM OF EXAMINING AND ANALYSING
FISH SUSPECTED TO BE CAUGHT BY THE
USE OF EXPLOSIVES
• External manifestations
A system of examining and
analyzing the fish samples
through visible indicators
found on the external parts
of the fish such as gill
cover, scales, fins, anus or
vent, abdominal area, etc.
 SYSTEM OF EXAMINING AND ANALYSING
FISH SUSPECTED TO BE CAUGHT BY THE
USE OF EXPLOSIVES
• Internal Manifestations
A system wherein fish
samples are dissected,
the internal organs are
examined and
analyzed for various
signs of damages
caused by impact of
explosion.
E 1. Blood oozing from the gill cover or operculum
X 2. Signs of blood effusions are found at the base
of the fins, operculum, abdominal area, and
T around the vent
E 3. Loosening of scales usually at the mid-portion of
the body length
R
N 4. Some internal organs are protruding out of the
vent or anus
A
5. Some body parts are mutilated
L
MANIFESTATIONS
BLOOD OOZING FROM THE
GILL COVER OR OPERCULUM
 SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM OF A FISH
BLOOD RICH
IN OXYGEN

rakers
GILLS

HEART

BLOOD POOR
IN OXYGEN
BLOOD OOZING FROM THE GILL
COVER OR OPERCULUM
Reddish water implies that BLOOD
OOZING occurred prior to inspection
PRESENCE OF DRIED BLOOD TENDS TO
INDICATE THAT BLOOD OOZING OCCURED
EARLIER PRIOR TO INSPECTION
PRESENCE OF DRIED BLOOD RIGHT FROM THE GILL
OPENING CONFIRMS THAT THERE WERE BLOOD
OOZING FROM THE FISH PRIOR TO MARKETING
 SIGNS OF • Base of Fins
BLOOD • Operculum
• Abdominal Area
EFFUSIONS • Around the Vent

DORSAL FIN
OPERCULUM
CAUDAL FIN

PECTORAL ANAL FIN

FIN
PELVIC FIN VENT
ABDOMINAL
AREA
 FISH SAMPLE SHOWING SIGN OF
BLOOD EFFUSION AT THE OPERCULUM
SIGNS OF BLOOD EFFUSSION AT
• OPERCULUM • ABDOMINAL AREA
SIGNS OF BLOOD EFFUSSION AT
• ABDOMINAL AREA •AROUND THE VENT
SIGNS OF BLOOD EFFUSSION AT THE

O
P
E
R
C
U
L
U
M
LOOSENING OF SCALES

At the
mid-
portion
of the
body
length
Fish sample
showing
loosened
scales at the
mid-portion
of the body
Blasted Dalagang Bukid showing loosened
scales at the mid-portion of their body
Parrot Fish
with
loosened
scales
PARTS OF INTERNAL ORGANS ARE
PROTRUDING OUT OF THE VENT OR ANUS
 • FINS
SOME BODY PARTS
ARE MUTILATED POPPED EYE
HEADLESS
TAILLESS
 USES OF EXTERNAL
MANIFESTATIONS
• To give initial indication that the fish is probably
caught by means of explosives
• To guide the fish examiner in
the collection of fish samples
• To guide fishery law
enforcement officers on the
presence of illegally caught
fish in the fish landings or
fish markets especially during
covert police operations
1. Air bladder is ruptured and filled with blood I
2. Internal organs are crushed and mixed with N
blood particles
3. Vertebral column is broken and deeply T
stained with blood
4. Some abdominal ribs are either broken or
E
fractured and stained with blood R
5. Spinal blood vessels are ruptured causing
internal hemorrhage at varying degrees N
6. Blood clots are present immediately above
the vent A
L
MANIFESTATIONS
AIR
AIR BLADDER
BLADDER IS RUPTURED AND FILLED
WITH BLOOD INSIDE THE LUMEN

air or swim bladder

ABDOMINAL CAVITY SHOWING A
RUPTURED AIR BLADDER
A surgeon fish with a very evident
ruptured air bladder
INTERNAL ORGANS ARE CRUSHED AND
MIXED WITH BLOOD PARTICLES

Swim
bladder

Liver
Heart Ovary
Kidney
Stomach Intestine
A Baracuda showing crushed
internal organs
Specimen showing very evident
crushed internal organs
 VERTEBRAL COLUMN IS BROKEN
AND DEEPLY STAINED WITH BLOOD
3rd to 5th vertebrae caudal peduncle area

Backbone/vertebral column
A surgeon fish with broken
vertebral column
SOME ABDOMINAL • Broken or fractured
RIBS ARE • Stained with blood
 Specimen
showing
abdominal ribs
in disarray

Dalagang
Bukid with
broken
abdominal ribs
SPINAL BLOOD VESSELS ARE RUPTURED
Causing internal hemorrhage
at varying degrees
Fish samples showing internal
hemorrhage at varying degrees
 BLOOD CLOTS ARE PRESENT
IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE VENT

Vent/Anus
Abdominal Cavity
Blood Clots
 Fish sample with blood clots
present immediately above the vent
 1. abdominal cavity filled with blood
FISH SAMPLES CAUGHT 2. Internal organs are crushed
THRU EXPLOSIVES and mixed with blood
3. air bladder is ruptured and
SHOWING INTERNAL filled with blood
MANIFESTATIONS 4. Blood clots present above
the vent
 USES OF INTERNAL MANIFESTATIONS
• Two or more internal
manifestations serve as
main basis for the fish
examiner to conclude
that the fish is positive
or negative to explosives as
the case maybe

• Serve as incontrovertible evidence whether the

fish examined is positive or negative to explosives
since internal manifestations are more conclusive
 COMPARISON BETWEEN
NORMAL AND DYNAMITED FISH
BODY PARTS NORMAL DYNAMITED
EYES Bright and Clear Red due to ruptured
capillaries

COLOR Bright Dull

TEXTURE Stiff
Soft

FLESH Translucent Reddish Brown

BODY CAVITY Normal Filled with Blood

Specimen showing abdominal
cavity filled with blood
 FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 206 Series 2001

SUBJECT: DISPOSAL OF CONFISCATED FISH AND OTHER

ITEMS IN FISHING THROUGH EXPLOSIVE AND NOXIOUS
OR POISONOUS SUBSTANCES.

Pursuant to Section 88 of R.A. 8550, this order on the disposal

of fish and other item impounded in the case of blast fishing and
fishing by means of noxious substances is hereby issued for the
information and guidance of all concerned.
b. Samples taken for examination shall at least be 100 grams in
weight. The ideal number of fish samples is three to five (3-5)
pieces for big sized fish or ten to twenty (10-20) pieces for
small fish or fingerlings. These should be frozen or packed in
ice then submitted to the nearest fish examiner specially trained
to examine fish caught by means of explosive or to any
municipal health offices or crime/hospital laboratory for
examination.
c. If the examination show that the fish sample is
positive for blast fishing, that same shall be preserved
for evidence. The samples shall be preserved in
formalin solution using 37% concentration of
commercial formalin. The solution shall be prepared by
mixing 3% of said formalin with 7% water. A high
formalin concentration will change the above ratio to
come up with a 10% preservative solution. The
preserved sample shall properly labeled and the
species identified in its scientific, English and local
names, whenever or whichever applicable. The
captain or in charge of the boat, or vendor possessor
of the fish if in the marketplace or elsewhere shall be
required to countersign in the labeled evidence. In
case of refusal, an affidavit to this effect shall be
prepared by the apprehending officer, attested by the
two witnesses.
PRESERVING FISH SAMPLES IN
10% PRESERVATIVE SOLUTION

7 Parts WATER (H2O)

and

3 Parts FORMALIN

BOTTLE
SEALING & LABELLING FISH SAMPLES
BEFORE EXAMINATION

LETTER HEAD

FISH SAMPLE EVIDENCE

Place___________________Date______________ FISH SAMPLE
Name of Fishing Vessel/Vehicle/Place__________
BOTTLE
PROPERLY
Name of Owner/Operator/Address_____________
SEALED AND
In-Charge of Fish___________________________
LABELED
Kind & quantity of Species Taken as samples___

__________________ __________________
Signature of Team Leader Signature of Owner
b. If positive for cyanide or other noxious substances, the sample
may be preserved in formalin and labeled, in the manner indicated
in Section 1 ©. It is not advisable that the same or any part or
portion thereof be distributed to charitable and penal institutions
as the safety of those who will consume the same cannot be
assured, and in most cases, fish laced with cyanide is proven to be
injurious to human and worst condition shall be disposed of
properly. The disposal shall be done by the apprehending officer
in the presence of a third ranking BFAR official, and
representatives from the Office of the prosecutor (Department of
Justice) or the Philippine National Police (PNP), and shall be
documented properly.
SEC. 3. Disposition of illegally – caught fish and items seized.

a. If the examination shows that the samples were caught by

blast fishing, the apprehending officer shall confiscate the
fish haul for distribution to charitable institutions. Those
willing to accept the dynamite fish still safe to eat shall
execute promissory notes for their willingness to return the
value of the fish in case of aquittal of the accused in court. In
case the charitable institution demur, the same may be given
to penal institutions instead, with the same promissory note of
repayment in case of acquittal of the accused.
b. Fish caught by means of blast fishing no longer fit for human
consumption shall be disposed of properly by observing the
processes outlined in section 2 (b), so as not to contaminate
the environment nor pose any danger to humans and animal
alike.
c. In all the two major fishing violations, the apprehending officer
shall likewise immediately seize, impound and take possession of
the fishing vessel, tackle and appurtenances thereto, as well as
explosives, noxious or poisonous substances, or and other tools
and the proceeds of the offense. He shall prepare an inventory of
the items seized and issue a receipt to be countersigned by the
captain, master or In charge of the boat. Should the latter refuse;
this fact shall be manifested in an affidavit attested by the two
witnesses. The seized items, documents and fish samples shall be
kept in safe custody by the apprehending officer prior to being
turned over to the investigating prosecutor or the PNP prosecutor.
Copy of the registration papers and pertinent vessel licenses, its
make and description, other relevant information and a
photograph thereof shall be taken prior to its being ceded to the
PNP – Maritime Group (MARIG) for the latter’s safekeeping
during the course of the trial, pursuant to the Memorandum of
Agreement of the National Enforcement Coordinating Committee.
SEC. 4. Application. – Reference to the provisions of this order
may be resorted to by fish wardens deputized by the local
governments and by other law enforcement officers, In the
absence of an ordinance or rule covering the subject matter. It may
be applied as well, in the disposition of confiscated fish and
impounded items in case of other fishery law violations, provided
that, local governments may enact an ordinance providing a
different mode of disposition of fish catch and the vessel seized,
Provided further, that the same is within constitutional and legal
bounds.
SEC. 5. Repeal. – Circular 130, all orders, rules or regulation or
part thereof, which are inconsistent with this order are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
SALAMAT
PO