FISHERIES CODE OF 1998 RA 8550 FUNCTIONS

GRANT OF PRIVILEGES/ CONCESSIONS ON MUNICIPAL WATERS:

7EYOND: /e"artment of .griculture WITHIN: GR: #unici"al/2ity 2ouncil 4%1: )"ecial agencies in areas vested with +urisdictionby virtue o' special laws

MUNICIPAL/CITY GOVERNMENT IN CONSULTATION ***W/ THE FARMC ***For contiguous fishery resources: Int !"#t $ FARMC% (i.e.bays which straddle several municipalities,cities or provinces) GENERAL FUNCTIONS Management, Conservation, Development, Protection, Utilization & Disposition of all fish & fishery/aquatic resources SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS ' En#(t appropriate )"$*n#n( % - Reviewed by: Sangguniang Panlalawigan (RA !"#) ' A+t,)"*- )" . "/*t small & medium (ommercial 0ishing 1essels LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS 2LGU%3: Includes, but not limited to: > nforcement > Registration and !rant of "rivileges within #unici"al $aters > %enali&e fraudulent "ractices & unlawful "ractices under the code > stablishment of "ost'harvest facilities for fishing communities( > #aintenance of a R !I)*R+ of: A4 M+n*(*.#5 0*%, "0)56 - Updated annually as may !e necessary - Formulate the necessary mechanisms "or inclusion or e#clusion procedures o" the ,I)*$ -.,I/.*I01, 20RR 2*I01 & 20#%, *I01 of the ,I)*: - $t shall be posted in a3barangay halls %R b3 other strategic locations open to public inspection 74 M+n*(*.#5 0*%,*n! 1 %% 5% 89 t9. )0 ! #" & )t, " 8)#t .#"t*(+5#"% - &ith the assistance o' the (AR)*

7+" #+ )0 F*%, "* % & A:+#t*( R %)+"( % - %ine !ureau under the &epartment o" 'griculture - (eaded !y a &irector & assisted !y t)o *+, 'ssistant &irectors supervise the administrative & technical services o" the !ureau respectively T, F*%, "* % & A:+#t*( R %)+"( % M#n#! / nt C)+n(*5% 2FARMC%3 - -sta!lished in the national level & in all municipalities cities a!utting *ad.acent to, municipal )aters$ - Formed !y "isher"ol/ organizations cooperatives & N0Os in the locality assisted !y the %0Us & other government entities - Shall undergo consultation & orientation on the "ormation !e"ore organizing F'12Cs

I4 Int !"#t $ F*%, "* % & A:+#t*( R %)+"( % M#n#! / nt C)+n(*5% 2IFARMC%3 - *reated in bays, gul's, la,es - rivers - dams bounded by two (.) or more municipalities/cities II4 N#t*)n#5 F*%, "* % & A:+#t*( R %)+"( % M#n#! / nt C)+n(*5 2NFARMC3 III4 M+n*(*.#5 / C*t9 FARMC% 2M/CFARMC%3 - created in each o' the municipalities - cities abutting municipal waters. 5owever, the ,!6 may create the: a( 0arangay (isheries - A1uatic Resources )anagement *ouncils (0(AR)*s)2 b( 3a,ewide (isheries - A1uatic Resources )anagement *ouncils (3(AR)*s) whenever necessary - a - b shall serve in an advisory capacity to the 345s.

A..5*(#t*)n " :+*" / nt% 0)" F*%, "9 !"#nt%/ ."*1*5 ! %/ ()n( %%*)n%
nvironmental Im"act )tatement 7 I)3 - Su!mitted to the &-N1 "or revie) & evaluation - Su!mitted !y 0overnment agencies as )ell as private corporations, "irms & entities )ho intend to underta/e activities or pro.ects )hich )ill a""ect the 3uality o" the environment (P.6. !78" as well as its $RR) ; T, " #0t "< t, #..5*(#nt %,#55 8 *%%+ $ #n En1*")n/ nt#5 C)/.5*#n( C "t*0*(#t 2ECC3

2atch 2eiling and 2losed )eason a( %rescribed by the )ecretary - $n any or all Philippine waters outside the boundary o' municipal waters - in bays 0R b( 6nder the 8urisdiction of s"ecial agencies: - 9stablished upon its concurrence - approval or recommendation - the concerned 345 in consultation with the (AR)*

C#t(, ( *5*n!% may !e imposed per species o" "ish )henever necessary & practica!le

C5)% $ S #%)n 4 days !e"ore the declaration - 5u!lic notice in at least *+, ne)spapers o" general circulation6 - 5u!lic service announcements

PRIVILEGE GRANTS Requirements, 9ualifications, Incentives M#=*/+/ S+%t#*n#85 Y* 5$ 2MSY3 - %argest average 3uantity o" "ish that can !e harvested "rom a "ish stoc/ resource )ithin a period o" time *e$g$ one year, on a sustaina!le !asis under e#isting environmental conditions$ 13 COMMERCIAL FISHING - The ta/ing o" "ishery species !y passive or active gear "or trade, !usiness or pro"it !eyond su!sistence or sports "ishing, to !e "urther classi"ied as7 #4 S/#55 %(#5 ()// "(*#5 0*%,*n! - "ishing )ith passive or active gear utilizing "ishing vessels o" 8$9 gross tons *0T, up to t)enty *+:, 0T6 84 M $*+/ %(#5 ()// "(*#5 0*%,*n! - "ishing utilizing active gears and vessels o" +:$9 0T up to one hundred "i"ty *94:, 0T6 and (4 L#"! %(#5 ()// "(*#5 0*%,*n! - "ishing utilizing active gears and vessels o" more than one hundred "i"ty *94:, 0T$ F*%,*n! V %% 5% Registration< Documentation< Inspection & Manning o" the operation o' all ty"es o' 'ishing vessels "lying %hili""ine waters shall be in accordance w/ e:isting laws, rules & regulations. A4 COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL OF PHILIPPINE REGISTRY - &:9; A*<5A33= %P9RA<96, shall !e /#nn $ *n #(()"$#n( )ith the " :+*" / nt% )0 t, P,*5*..*n M "(,#nt M#"*n "+5 % #n$ " !+5#t*)n% ; 2'; O5-1'T- IN INT-1N'TION'% <'T-1S or )aters o" other countries which allow such 'ishing operations. #4 International "ishing permit & certi"icate o" clearance 'rom the 6epartment 84 Fish caught shall !e considered as caught in 5hilippine )aters ($ Not su!.ect to all import duties & ta#es - 01,+ $5 1 ,.1/ / in duly designated fish landings & fish "orts in the %hili""ines ' F*%,>)"6 "% )n 8)#"$ P,*5*..*n 8 9)n$ the 5hilippine EE? are n)t considered as )1 "% #% F*5*.*n) >)"6 "%4 10* : = PRIOR TO THE IMPORTATION o" "ishing vessels & the construction OF NEW FISHING VESSELS< the APPROVAL/CLEARANCE o" the &epartment MUST FIRST 7E O7TAINED$ = 7EFORE a commercial "ishing vessel holding a commercial "ishing vessel license MAY 7EGIN FISHING OPERATIONS in 5hilippine )aters, the FISHING GEAR IT WILL UTILI?E IN FISHING SHALL 7E REGISTERED AND A LICENSE GRANTED$ LICENSE 9ualifications: ; P#"tn "%,*.%< A%%)(*#t*)n%< C)). "#t*1 % )" C)".)"#t*)n% duly registered in the Philippines ; At least @0A )0 t, (#.*t#5 %t)(6 ; F*5*.*n) (*t*- n%

Renewal Fishing operations in 5hilippine )aters, the "ishing gear it )ill utilize in "ishing shall !e registered & a license !"#nt $ " n > $ 1 "9 t," 2B3 9 #"%4 - The o)ner operator o" a "ishing vessel has a period o" si#ty 2@03 $#9% ."*)" t) t, =.*"#t*)n )0 t, 5*( n% >*t,*n >,*(, t) " n > t, %#/ $ Re"ort of *ransfer of 0wnershi" - Not trans"era!le, directly or indirectly to un3uali"ied persons - Noti"y the &epartment in >"*t*n! ) a copy o" such document ) in 10 $#9% #0t " its trans'er to another person 74 )#.,, & # /I6# 20## R2I., FI)5I1! - )) ,) Operate )ithin 1041 ;15 6/ area from the shoreline in municipal waters C)n$*t*)n% #4 no commercial "ishing )ith depth less than seven *>, "athom 84 "ishing activities utilizing methods & gears consistent )ith national policies (4 prior consultation, through pu!lic hearing, )ith the 2 CF'12C $4 not having violated this Code, environmental la)s & related la)s$ INCENTIVES M+n*(*.#5 & %/#55;%(#5 ()// "(*#5 FISHERFOLC %,#55 8 !"#nt $ *n( nt*1 % >,*(, %,#55 *n(5+$ < 8+t #" n)t 5*/*t $ t)< t, 0)55)>*n!: #4 At 5 #%t 10A o" the credit & the guarantee "unds o" government "inancing institutions - For .)%t;,#"1 %t & /#"6 t*n! pro.ects - -nhance our "isher"ol/ competitiveness !y reducing post-harvest losses D+#5*0* $ .")E (t% Ice plants, cold storage, )arehouse, transport,

canning, other related in"rastructure pro.ects & "acilities

84 &epartment shall underta/e the "ollo)ing .")!"#/%: - Capa!ility-!uilding program "or targeted parties $ncludes: organizing activities, technology trans"er, & s/ills training related to commercial "ishing as )ell as credit management$ - For !an/a!ility & credit )orthiness o" municipal & small-scale commercial "ishers - Shall have priority access over credit & guarantee "unds under this Code - In"ormation campaign shall !e conducted to promote the capa!ility-!uilding N > *n( nt*1 % "or IMPROVEMENT o" FISHING VESSELS & ACDUISITION )0 0*%,*n! EDUIPMENTS shall be granted in addition to incentives already available 'rom the 0oard o' $nvestments (0%$) to encourage 'ishing vessel o"erators to fish farther in the ;& beyond( In(5+$ %: I4 5)n! t "/ 5)#n% %+..)"t $ 89 !+#"#nt 0#(*5*t* % to "inance the !uilding & ac3uisition & or improvement o" "ishing vessels & e3uipment6

II4 3imited period o" t#= & $+t9 = /.t*)n% )n the */.)"t#t*)n )0 0*%,*n! 1 %% 5% n)t /)" t,#n "ive 253 9 #"% )5$< :+*./ nt & .#"#., "n#5*# III4 (ishing operator o" 5hilippine registry engaged *n 0*%, "* % *n t, ,*!, % #% nt*t5 $ t) $+t9 & t#= " 8#t % on 0+ 5 ()n%+/.t*)n "or commercial "isheries operations IV4 A55 #..5*(#85 *n( nt*1 % +n$ " t, O/n*8+% In1 %t/ nt C)$ )0 198F: 5rovided, that the "ishing operation pro.ect is 1uali'ied 'or registration - is duly registered with the 0%$. Ot, " R :+*" / nt%: ' A$ :+#t / $*(#5 %+..5* % & 5*0 ;%#1*n! $ 1*( % - (ishing vessel o' twenty (.#) 4< or more shall have as a member o' its crew, a person 1uali'ied as a 'irst aider uly certi'ied by the Philippine ;ational Red *ross ' A $#*59 " ()"$ )0 0*%, (#t(, & %.)*5#! < 5#n$*n! .)*nt%< & :+#nt*t9 & 1#5+ )0 0*%, (#+!,t, & )00;5)#$ $ 0)" t"#n%%,*./ nt< %#5 &/)" )t, " $*%.)%#5 ' 6uly certi'ied by the vessel>s captain - transmitted monthly to the o''icer or representative o' the 6epartment, at the nearest designated landing point. ' C)nt"*8+t t) / t )")5)!*(#5 & )t, " $#t#< A%%*%t t, D .#"t/ nt *n $)(+/ nt#t*)n )" " .)"t*n! )0 *n0)"/#t*)n 1*t#5 t) n#1*!#t*)n & t, 0*%,*n! *n$+%t"9 - (or ?essels - cra'ts passing navigational lanes or engaged in 'isheries activity ' F)" *!n 0*%,*n! 1 %% 5% >*%,*n! t) #1#*5 )0 5#n$< #*" & % # 0#(*5*t* % #1#*5#85 *n t, P,*5*..*n % t) t"#n%.)"t 0*%, "9 .")$+(t% >,*(, #" (#+!,t )+t%*$ P,*5*..*n t ""*t)"*#5 >#t "% t) *t% 0*n#5 $ %t*n#t*)n !. Secure clearance 'rom the 6epartment .. *all only at duly designated government-owned or -controlled regional 'ishport comple@es ' 7 #" # ()5)" ()$ - as may be determined by the 6epartment '7 #%%*!n $ # "#$*) 0" :+ n(9 %. (*0*( & $*%t*n(t t) *t% #" # )0 ). "#t*)n ' Radio communication 'acilities on board 'ishing vessels - the assignment o' radio 're1uencies (6epartment, in coordination with the ;ational <elecommunications *ommission) ' T, n+/8 " & >#tt#! )0 %+. "5*!,t% +% $ *n ()// "(*#5 0*%,*n! 1 %% 5% %,#55 8 " !+5#t $ - by the 6epartment - 5se o' superlights are banned within municipal waters - bays. G3 ADUACULTURE

GR: 5u!lic lands such as tidal s)amps, mangroves, marshes, "oreshore lands & ponds suita!le "or "ishery operations shall not !e disposed or alienated$ HPN: F*%,.)n$ L #% A!" / nt 2FLA3 - (or public lands that may be declared available 'or 'ishpond development primarily to 1uali'ied 'isher'ol, cooperatives/associations. D .#"t/ nt declare as reservation, portions o" availa!le pu!lic lands certi"ied as suita!le "or "ishpond purposes "or "ish sanctuary, conservation, & ecological purposes

/emarcated .reas - !oundaries de"ined !y mar/ers & assigned e#clusively to speci"ic individuals or organizations "or certain speci"ied & limited uses such as7 #4 '3uaculture, sea ranching & sea "arming6 84 Fish aggregating devices6 (4 Fi#ed & passive "ishing gears6 & $4 Fry & "ingerlings gathering$ /emarcated Fishery Right - 0ranted !y the %0U to "ishery organizations cooperatives "or mariculture operation in speci"ic areas FLA /#9 8 !"#nt $ t): (ilipino citiAens with pre'erence, i. primarily to 1uali'ied 'isher'ol, cooperatives/associations ii. small - medium enterprises (S)9) F*%, "0)56% O"!#n*-#t*)n% &/)" C)). "#t*1 % -2ay use o" demarcated "ishery areas to engage in "ish capture, mariculture & or "ish"arming 1ote: - An organiAation/cooperative member whose household is already in possession o' a 'ishery right other than 'or 'ish capture cannot en+oy the 'ishing rights granted to the organiAation or cooperative. - ;o 'ish pens or 'ish cages or 'ish traps shall be allowed in la,es - ;o new concessions in municipal areas shall be granted e@cept to municipal 'isher'ol, - their organiAations. 2onditions Rate: - 6etermined by the 6epartment, - Remitted to the ;ational (isheries Research - 6evelopment $nstitute - other 1uali'ied research institutions .rea: 7# hectares 'or individuals .7# hectares 'or corporations or 'isher'ol, organiAations *erm: .7 yrs2 renewable 'or the same period *ransfer of Rights: 5pon leassee>s death, heirs shall have preemptive rights to the une@pired term. 5pon prior written approval o' the 6epartment 0bligations/Res"onsibilities: - 6eveloped - already producing on a commercial scale within B yrs 'rom the approval o' the lease contract - 5nderta,e re'orestation 'or river ban,s, bays, streams - seashore 'ronting the di,e o' his 'ishpond sub+ect to the rules - regulations - Provide 'acilities that will minimiAe environmental pollution, i.e., settling ponds, reservoirs, etc

R 1 "%*)n =areas not "ully producing )ithin "ive *4, years "rom the lease approval shall automatically revert to the pu!lic domain "or re"orestation = a!andoned, undeveloped or underutilized "ishponds covered !y F%'s can !e reverted to their original mangrove state $ - &etermined !y the &-N1, in coordination )ith the &epartment, %0Us, other concerned agencies & F'12Cs = Underta/e re"orestation "or river !an/s, !ays, streams & seashore "ronting the di/e o" his "ishpond su!.ect to the rules & regulations = 5rovide "acilities that )ill minimize environmental pollution, i$e$, settling ponds, reservoirs, etc $ C#n( 55#t*)n - Failure to comply )ith the code shall mean cancellation o" F%'$ - F%' holders )ho ac3uired citizenship in another country during the term o" lease shall have their lease automatically canceled & the improvements thereon to !e "or"eited in "avor o" the government & disposed o"$ In( nt*1 % a$ -""luent charges !$ User "ees & negotia!le permits -to encourage compliance )ith the environmental standards & promote sustaina!le management practices$ L*( n% t) O. "#t F*%, P n%< F*%, C#! %< F*%, T"#.% & Ot, " St"+(t+" % 0)" t, C+5t+" )0 F*%, & Ot, " F*%, "9 P")$+(t% %,#55 8 : - <ithin %t#85*%, $ -)n % $+59 $ %*!n#t $ 89 LGU% in consultation )ith the F'12Cs consistent with: #4 National "isheries policies 8$ '"ter licenses have !een secured - N)t )1 " 10A )0 t, %+*t#85 >#t " %+"0#( #" # o" all la/es & rivers$ - St)(6*n! $ n%*t9 & 0 $*n! " :+*" / nt which shall be controlled - determined by its carrying capacity ''In5#n$ 0*%,.)n$%< 0*%, (#! % & 0*%, . n% - Shall !e covered under the insurance program o" the 5hilippine Crop Insurance Corporation "or losses caused !y "orce ma.eure & "ortuitous events$ R !*%t"#t*)n )0 F*%, H#t(, "* % & P"*1#t F*%,.)n$%< t( - Registered with the ,!6s - 0"erators( private or public lands) shall annually report to the &epartment, "or its yearly inventory, the type o" species & volume o" production in areas devoted to a3uaculture$ P #"5 F#"/ L #% % ; pu!lic )aters leased "or the purpose o" producing cultured pearls$ -1espected & allo)ed to operate under the terms thereo" R :+*" / nt%/C)n$*t*)n% - ?uali"ied persons - Necessary capital & technology

POST;HARVEST FACILITIES< ACTIVITIES & TRADES The D ."t/ nt shall7 a$ Conduct a regular study o" "isheries6 !$ Formulate a C)/." , n%*1 P)%t;,#"1 %t & An(*55#"9 In$+%t"* % P5#n == The LGU% shall - coordinate )ith the private sector & other concerned agencies & F'12Cs in the esta!lishment o" .)%t;,#"1 %t 0#(*5*t* % 0)" 0*%,*n! ()//+n*t* %4 i.e. municipal 'ish landing sites, 'ish ports, ice plants, cold storage - other 'ish processing establishments. - 2ust !e registered & licensed !y the %0Us I/.)"t#t*)n & E=.)"t#t*)n )0 F*%, "9 P")$+(t% E=.)"t#t*)n #$ -#port o" "ishery products shall !e regulated )henever such e#portation a""ects domestic "ood security & production7 !R: -#portation o" live "ish shall !e prohi!ited 4%1: Those )hich are hatched or propagated in accredited hatcheries & ponds 84 Spa)ners, !reeders, eggs& "ry o" !angus, pra)n & other endemic species shall not !e e#ported or caused to !e e#ported !y any person$ To protect & maintain the local !iodiversity and or -nsure the su""iciency o" domestic supply$ I/.)"t#t*)n GR: Fishery products may !e imported only )hen7 9$ Importation has !een certi"ied !y the &epartment, in consultation )ith the F'12C, +$ 'll the re3uirements o" this Code, rules & regulations have !een complied )ith7 HPN: Fish imports "or canning processing purposes only, !ut )ithin the provisions o" Section @9 *d, o" this Code6 F*%, "* % In%. (t*)n & D+#"#nt*n S "1*( - For purposes o" monitoring & regulating the importation & e#portation o" "ish & "ishery a3uatic resources$ a$ &ocument & authorize the movement or trade !$ &etermine, e#amine, inspect presence o" "ish pest & diseases %resence of "est: ()n0*%(#t $ & $*%.)% $

F*%, "9 RESERVES

F*%, "9 REFUGE & SANCTUARIES

2A$/*n*%t " $ in the manner to be prescribed 89 t, 7FAR,

PHILIPPINE WA; TERS

7 9)n$ 15 6*5)/ t "% 0")/ %,)" 5*n - For the =(5+%*1 +% )0 t, !)1 "n/ nt or any o" its political su!divisions, agencies or instrumentalities, - propagation, educational, research - scienti'ic purposes

At 5 #%t G5A< n)t /)" I0A )0 8#9%< 0)" %,)" 5&%< ()nt*n nt#5 %, 50 )" #n9 0*%,*n! !")+n$ - !e % t #%*$ "or the (+5t*1#t*)n )0 /#n; !")1 % to strengthen the habitat - the spawning grounds o' 'ish

MUNICIPALITIES OR CITIES .( ,!6s 7 in consultation with the F.R#2s3 0R 7for Reservation3 <( F.R#2s

At 5 #%t 15A >, " #..5*(#85 )0 t, t)t#5 ()#%t#5 #" #% *n #(, /+n*(*.#5*t9 R ()// n$ to the &epartment that .)"t*)n )0 t, /+n*(*.#5 >#; - 8#% $ on the !est #1#*5#85 %(* nt*0*( t "% $#t# & in consultation )ith the &epartment ; F)" $+(#t*)n#5< " % #"(,< &/)" automatically designated as 'ish %. (*#5 /#n#! / nt .+".)% %4 sanctuaries

NOTE: 0)" REFUGE & SANCTUARIES - NO CO22-1CI'% FIS(IN0 shall !e allo)ed <IT(IN T(-S- '1-'S - -#isting reserves, sanctuaries & mangrove s)amp reservations !y the 5resident or legislated !y the Congress o" the 5hilippines shall !e continuously administered & supervised !y the concerned agency

PROHI7ITED ACTS 13 A:+#t*( .)55+t*)n - The introduction !y human or machine, directly or indirectly, o" su!stances or energy to the a3uatic environment )hich result or is li/ely to result in such deleterious e""ects as to harm living and non-living a3uatic resources, pose potential and or real hazard to human health, hindrance to the a3uatic activities such as "ishing and navigation, including dumping disposal o" )aste and other marine litters, discharge o" petroleum, or residual products o" petroleum or car!onaceous materials su!stances, and other radioactive, no#ious or harm"ul li3uid, gaseous or solid su!stances, "rom any )ater, land or air transport or other human-made structure$ &e"orestation,unsound agricultural practices such as the use o" arti"icial "ish "eed, and )etland conversion, )hich cause similar hazards and deleterious e""ects shall also constitute a3uatic pollution$ G3 U% )0 F*n M %, N t - net )ith mesh size o" less than three centimeters *8 cm$, measured !et)een t)o *+,opposite /nots o" a "ull mesh )hen stretched or as other)ise determined !y the appropriate government agency$

B3F*%,*n! t,")+!, =.5)%*1 %< n)=*)+% )" .)*%)n)+% %+8%t#n( < &/)" E5 (t"*(*t9 F*%,*n! >*t, E=.5)%*1 % - The use o" the dynamite, other e#plosives or other chemical compounds that contains com!usti!le elements or ingredients )hich upon ignition !y "riction, concussion, percussion or detonation o" all or parts o" the compound, )ill /ill, stupe"y, disa!le or render unconscious any "ishery species$ - It also re"ers to the use o" any other su!stance and or device )hich causes an e#plosion that is capa!le o" producing the said harm"ul e""ects on any "ishery species and a3uatic resources and capa!le o" damaging and altering the natural ha!itat$ E5 (t")0*%,*n! - The use o" electricity generated !y !atteries, electric generators and other source o" electric po)er to /ill, stupe"y, disa!le or render unconscious "ishery species, )hether or not the same are su!se3uently recovered$ I3 O8%t"+(t*)n )0 D 0*n $ M*!"#t*)n P#t,%4 - O!struction o" any de"ined migration paths o" anadromous, catadromous and other migratory species, in areas including, !ut not limited to river mouths and estuaries )ithin a distance determined !y the concerned F'12Cs M*!"#t)"9 %. (* % - 1e"ers to any "ishery species )hich in the course o" their li"e could travel "rom "resh)ater to marine )ater or vice versa, or any marine species )hich travel over great distances in )aters o" the ocean as part o" their !ehavioral adaptation "or survival and speciation7 #4 An#$")/)+% %. (* % - marine "ishes )hich migrate to "resh)ater areas to spa)n6 84 C#t#$")/)+% %. (* % - "resh)ater "ishes )hich migrate to marine areas to spa)n$