Republic Act No.
8550
The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998
Overview
Provides general principles, rules and policies
concerning the utilization, management, development
and conservation of fisheries and aquatic resources
Strengthens the capacity of local governments to
utilize fishery resources and regulate such activities
Establishes rules policies on commercial fishing
Establishes agencies and governing bodies
represented by different sectors to ensure the
protection of fishery resources through promulgating
rules
Defines prohibited acts and provides for their
penalties
Some definitions
Active fishing gear - is a fishing device characterized
by gear movements, and/or the pursuit of the target
species by towing, lifting, and pushing the gears,
surrounding, covering, dredging, pumping and seating
the target species to impoundments; such as, but not
limited to, trawl, purse seines, Danish seines, bagnets,
paaling, drift gill net and tuna longline
Passive fishing gear - is characterized by the absence
of gear movements and/or the pursuit of the target
species; such as, but not limited to, hook and line,
fishpots, traps and gill nets across the path of the fish.
Municipal Fisheries
Municipal/City Governments
shall have jurisdiction over municipal waters
may enact appropriate fishery ordinance
LGUs shall also enforce all fishery laws, rules and
regulations and ordinances
municipal fisherfolk and their
cooperatives/organizations
given priority to exploit municipal and demarcated
fishery areas
Registry of Municipal Fisherfolk
determines fishing priorities
limits entry into the municipal waters
monitors fishing activities
Commercial Fishing
License is required to operate:
commercial fishing vessel with their fishing gears
pearl fishing vessel
fishing vessel for scientific
research or educational purposes
fishery activity
fishworker or pearl diver
Reconstitution of BFAR. Some Functions:
prepare and implement a Comprehensive National
Fisheries Industry Development Plan;
issue licenses for the operation of commercial
fishing vessels;
issue identification cards to fishworkers engaged
in commercial fishing;
monitor and review joint fishing agreements
between Filipinos and foreigners
enforce all laws governing the conservation and
management of fishery resources (except in
municipal waters)
other agencies:
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management
Councils (FARMCs)
National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Management Council (NFARMC)
Municipal/City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Management Councils (M/CFARMCs)
Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Management Councils (BFARMCs)
Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Management Councils (FARMCs)
Prohibitions:
engage in any fishery activity without a license,
lease or permit.
operate any fishing vessel in Philippine waters by
foreign person, corporation or entity to fish
fishing through explosives, noxious or poisonous
substance, and/or electricity
Use of Fine Mesh Net
Use of Active Gear in the Municipal Waters and
Bays and Other Fishery Management Areas
Coral Exploitation and Exportation
Muro-Ami, Other Methods and Gear Destructive to
Coral Reefs and Other Marine Habitat
Illegal Use of Superlights
Conversion of Mangroves
Fishing in Fishery Reserves, Refuge and
Sanctuaries
Fishing or Taking of Rare, Threatened or
Endangered Species
Importation or Exportation of Fish or Fishery
Species
Violation of Catch Ceilingsa
Aquatic Pollution
Professionalization of Fisheries Graduates
Fisheries Board of Examiners
upgrade the Fisheries Profession
Upgrading of State Fisheries Schools/Colleges