ICA, AVA seize illegally imported coral reefs

SINGAPORE — A haul of 75 hard corals and five soft corals that were illegally imported into Singapore from the Philippines have been seized by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

The marine invertebrates were falsely declared by the importer as "plastic aquarium ornaments", the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a joint statement with AVA on Monday (April 3).

Following a tip-off, ICA and AVA officers worked with a logistics company to locate the illegal shipment at an importer's premises.

The corals are now under the care of the Resorts World Sentosa, while the case is being investigated, both agencies added.

Hard corals are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), of which Singapore is a signatory.

Both agencies noted that while soft corals are not protected by CITES, they were also confiscated as they were falsely declared as "plastic aquarium ornaments", and were bundled together with the illegal shipment of hard corals.

Offenders who trade in endangered species may be liable to a fine of S$50,000 for each protected species (not exceeding a maximum aggregate of S$500,000), and/or jailed up to two years.

Investigations against the importer are ongoing.