Status of Philippine FisheriesAn overview

/fiSHrs/
refers to all activities relating to the act or business of fishing, culturing, preserving, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and managing aquatic resources and the fishery areas, including the privilege to fish or take aquatic resource thereof.

RA 8550, The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998

Public Devt context

Human Dimension

Political/Insitutional framework Social institutions Fisheries institutions

Other economic activities (agriculture, coastal development

Fisheries Municipal Commercial

Anciliary fishing activities (marketing, processing, boat/net making

Goods and services

Land and related natural endowments

Fisheries resources: Reef fish species, demersals, small pelagic, large pelagic, deepwater

Coastal habitats : Mangroves, coral reefs, soft-bottom areas

Water quality

Offshore waters

Natural Dimension

CENTER OF THE CENTER

Scientists have described the Philippine islands as the center of the center of marine shorefish diversity with the richest concentration of marine life on the entire planet Carpenter and Springer, 2005 in ODU News

2000 species of fish 1400 species of crustaceans 900 species of algae 5 out of 7 sea turtle species

17% of better known fish are endemic

to the Philippines

488 out of 500 coral species 22 species of beach vegetation

PRODUCTION The sea is a huge food basket!

Value of production has increased by almost 18% from 1980 to 2010

40% of Filipinos expenditure goes to food, of which 5 to 7% are spent on fish and marine products

EMPLOYMENT Rich livelihood source

MARKET SCENE Average prices of selected fish species, 2007 to 2009

TRADE Where does the catch go?

Value of fishery export and imports, 2007 to 2009

Top fishery export commodities, 2009

IN TURBULENT SEAS Problems that beset the fisheries sector

Depleted fisheries resources (renewable vs inexhaustible) Declining catch that are asymptomatic of overharvesting or overfishing Degradation of the coastal environment and critical fisheries habitats Increased conflicts among resource users Deepening poverty among small-scale fishers Inequitable distribution of benefits from resource use

Loss and/or reduced value of catches due to improper post-harvest practices

Inadequate systems and structures for fisheries management

IN TURBULENT SEAS Why fisheries are depleted

Open-access nature of fishing (lack of management, regulation, enforcement) Habitat destruction Destructive/unsustainable fishing practices Widespread technological advances (more efficient gear, larger nets, etc) Growing human population Economic development policies of governments, especially those providing

subsidies and encouraging even more investments in fishing technology and

boats

IN TURBULENT SEAS Map of heavily exploited areas

SEAS. West Sulu Sea, Southe Sulu Sea, East Sulu Sea, Sibuyan Sea, Bohol Sea, Samar Sea, Visayan Sea, Camotes Sea. BAYS. Lamon Bay, Tayabas Bay, Illana Bay, Manila Bay, Sibugay Bay, Iligan Bay, Imuruan Bay, San Miguel Bay, Tawi Tawi Bay, Butuan Bay. GULFS. Moro Gulf, Davao Gulf, Ragay Gulf, Leyte Gulf, Panay Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Lagonoy Gulf, Asid Gulf, Albay Gulf.

CHANNELS. Babuyan Channel, Jintotolo Channel, Maqueda Channel.

STRAITS. Tablas Strait, Mindoro Strait, Tanon Strait, Cebu Strait, Iloilo Strait. PASSAGES. Burias Pass, Ticao Pass

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE Critical actions to help restore the natural productivity of Philippine fisheries

Stop commercial fishing in municipal waters

Reduce fishing efforts at both commercial and municipal levels Reforest denuded areas; stop illegal cutting of mangroves Stop use of illegal methods of fishing and destructive fishing gears Stop extraction of corals and endangered species Conduct resource assessments, monitoring and evaluation Conduct continuing stakeholder consultation and involvement/participation Formulate and implement fisheries and coastal resource management plans MOVE FROM OPEN ACCESS TO MANAGED FISHERIES

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE Whos at the helm

Government agencies

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department of Agriculture Department of Environment and Natural Resources National and local governments

Private organizations

One Ocean Organization

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE Programs by the government

Joseph Estrada Agrikulturang Makamasa 10-Point Agenda in Agriculture and Fisheries

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Benigno Aquino, Jr. Agrikulturang Pinoy (Agri-Pinoy)

PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION ON FISHERIES Evolution of Laws

The Administrative Code of 1917

In the title on Local Economy, provided for the authority of the municipal council, for purposes of profit, to grant the exclusive privilege of fishery or right to conduct a fish-breeding ground within any definite portion, or area, of the municipal waters.

Act No. 4003The First Fisheries Act (1932)

Created a national administrative regime for fisheries by placing fisheries management directly under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with the proviso that he may delegate such power to a subordinate representative, bureau, office, or service. Subsequent administrative actions identified this to be the Bureau of Fisheries.

PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION ON FISHERIES Evolution of Laws

Legislation
Act No. 4003

Title
An Act to Amend and Compile the Laws December 5,1932 Relating to Fish and Other Aquatic Resources of the Philippine Islands, and For Other Purposes An Act to Amend Act No. Numbered Four Thousand and Three An Act to Amend Section 70 Numbered Four Thousand and Three, Known as The Fisheries Act, as Amended by Commonwealth Act Numbered One Hundred and Fifteen An Act to Amend Act Numbered Four Thousand and Three Entitled "An Act to Amend and Compile the Law Relating to Fish and Other Aquatic Resources of the Philippine Islands, and For Other Puposes"

Date Approved
December 5,1932

C.A. No. 115 C.A. No. 297

November 13, 1936 June 9, 1938

C.A. No. 471

June 16, 1939

PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION ON FISHERIES Evolution of Laws

Legislation
R.A. 294

Title
An Act to Amend Section Sixty-six of Act Numbered our Hundred Thousand Three, Entitled "An Act to Amend and Compile the Law Relating to Fish and Other Aquatic Resources of the Philippine Islands, and for Other Purposes" As Amended by Commonwealth Act Numbered Four Hundred Seventy One An Act to Declare the Possession, Sale or Distribution of Fish or Other Aquatic Animals Stupefied, Disabled or Killed by Means of Dynamite or Other Explosive or Toxic Substances and Providing Penalties Therefor An Act Amending Sections One, Two, Three, and Four of Republic Act Numbered Four Hundred Twenty-Eight

Date Approved
June 16, 1948

R.A. No. 428

June 7, 1950

R.A. No. 1535

June 16, 1956

PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION ON FISHERIES Evolution of Laws

Legislation
R.A. No. 3048 R.A. No. 3512

Title
An Act Prohibiting the Operation of Trawls in Fishing Areas Seven Fathoms Deep or Less An Act Creating a Fisheries Commission Defining its Powers, Duties and Functions, and Appropriating Funds Therefor An Act Prohibiting the Exportation of Bangus Fry An Act Creating the National Water and Air Pollution Control Commission An Act Creating the Laguna Lake Development Authority, Prescribing its Powers, Functions, and Duties, Providing Funds Therefor, and For Other Purposes

Date Approved
June 17, 1961 March 20, 1963

R.A. No. 3586 R.A. No. 3931 R.A. No. 4850

June 21, 1963 June 18, 1964 July 18, 1966

PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION ON FISHERIES Evolution of Laws

Legislation
P.D. No. 43 P.D. No. 461

Title
Providing for the Accelerated Development of the Fishery Industry of the Philippines Reorganizing the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources into Two Departments, Namely: Department of Agriculture and Department of Natural Resources, Amending for This Purpose Chapter I, Part VITI of the Integrated Reorganization Plan Defining illegal Fishing and Prescribing Stiffer Penalties Therefor Revising and Consolidating All Laws and Decrees Affecting Fishing and Fisheries

Date Approved
November 9,1972 May 17,1974

P.D. No. 534 P.D. No. 704

August 8, 1974 May 16,1975

PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION ON FISHERIES Evolution of Laws

Legislation
P.D. No. 977

Title
Creating the Philippine Fish Marketing Authority, Defining its Functions and Powers, and For Other Purposes Amending Presidential Decree No. 704, Dated May 16, 1975, By Increasing the Penalties for Certain Forms of illegal Fishing, Dealing in illegally Caught Fish or Fishery/Aquatic Products, and For Other Purposes Philippine Environmental Code Establishing an Exclusive Economic Zone and For Other Purposes Amending Certain Provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1219 Providing for Re-exploitation, Exploitation, Utilization and Conservation of Coral Resources

Date Approved
August 11, 1976

P.D. No. 1058

December 1, 1976

P.D. No. 1152 P.D. No. 1599 P.D. No. 1698

June 6, 1977 June 11, 1978 May 22, 1980

PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION ON FISHERIES Evolution of Laws

Legislation
E.O. No. 656

Title
Amending Executive Order No. 81, Series of 1976, Creating a Committee to Coordinate the Investigation, Handling and Disposition of Apprehended illegal Entrants and Foreign Vessels Violating Philippine Laws Amending Presidential Decree No. 977 Creating the Philippine Fish Marketing Authority, Defining Its Functions and Powers, and For Other Purposes Renaming the Ministry of Agriculture as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Transferring to it Certain Agencies Engaged in Food Production and For Other Purposes An Act Providing for An Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Date Approved
February 26, 1981

E.O. No. 772

February 8, 1982

E.O. 967

June 30, 1984

R.A. 6743

August 1, 1989

PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION ON FISHERIES Evolution of Laws

Legislation
E.O. No. 236

Title
Organizing the National Committee on illegal Entrants, Repealing E.O. 656, Series of 1981, to Ensure Effective Coordination Among Member Agencies in the Investigation and Disposition of Cases Involving the illegal Entry of Foreign Nationals and Vessels, and Providing Funds for its Operation An Act Prescribing Urgent Related Measures to Modernize the Agriculture and Fisheries Sectors of the Country in Order to Enhance their Profitability, and Prepare Said Sectors for the Challenges of Globalization Through an Adequate, Focused, and Rational Delivery of Necessary Support Services, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes

Date Approved
April 22, 1995

R.A. 8435

December 22, 1997

PHILIPPINE LEGISLATION ON FISHERIES Evolution of Laws

Legislation
R.A. 8550

Title
An Act Providing for the Development, Management, and Conservation of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Integrating All Laws Pertinent Thereto, and For Other Purposes

Date Approved
February 25, 1998

R.A. 8550 The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998

Conservation, protection and sustained management of the country's fishery and aquatic resources; Poverty alleviation and the provision of supplementary livelihood among municipal fisherfolk; Improvement of productivity of aquaculture within ecological limits; Optimal utilization of offshore and deep-sea resources; and Upgrading of post-harvest technology.

CREDITS Information Sources

Go Easy on the Sea, The Fish Project Batongbacal, Jay. The Evolution of Philippine Fisheries Legislation Luna, C.Z., et. al. 2004. Profiling the Status of Philippine marine fisheries.

www.bas.gov.ph
www.bfar.da.gov.ph

End.