The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued a stern warning to persons engaged in poaching and fish smuggling activities. Environment Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi said smuggled products are confiscated by the Philippine government. Poaching of green sea turtles (pawikan) is rampant off Hasa-Hasa Shoal near Palawan. Gerochi said smuggling of marine products was partly discussed in the topic on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).

Conserva, L. H. (2015, October 6). APEC tackles animal poaching, smuggling. The Daily Guardian, p. 2.