HAGATNA, Guam (23 July 2004) -- Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement were able to determine at least 125 sharks were caught and de-finned. On Thursday two men were indicted on federal charges for attempting to take the shark fins off-island. NOAA Fisheries Special Agent Al Samuels says Port Authority Police caught an individual trying to leave with the Port with shark fins in his truck last week. Through the investigation officials were able to determine the man was a crewmember onboard a Japanese longliner that was scheduled to leave Guam. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the case, with Samuels saying, "The crewmembers told me that they were trying to get shark fins out of the port so they could take them to the Philippines with them." Samuels adds the arrests of Conchito Cagas, Jr. and Cresento Bacaling are the first arrests in the country for violations of the Lacey Act and the Shark Finning Prohibition Act so far this year. Yesterday officials received the assistance of underwater world personnel to help identify each of the species of shark. "NOAA Fisheries office for Law Enforcement takes these violations serious. In the past, there have been numerous cases of shark fin violations on Guam, and this is another ongoing investigation," he added. | | Cagas and Bacaling were issued summons to appear in the District Court on Monday morning for an arraignment hearing. Officials say violations of the Lacey Act and the Shark Finning Prohibition Act can result in a maximum sentence of five years behind bars and/or a $250,000 fine. SOURCE - KUAM |
