fish law

RA 8550

(The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) The primary landmark statutory framework governing the conservation, protection, and management of Philippine fisheries resources.

RA 10654

Strengthened penalties and enforcement against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. Introduces heavier fines, administrative sanctions, and mandates vessel monitoring systems.

RA 11398

(Philippine Fisheries Profession Act) Regulates the practice of the fisheries profession in the Philippines, creates the Professional Regulatory Board of Fisheries, and defines the scope, requirements, and board exam rating system (e.g., minimum 75% general average, no subject below 60%).

PD 704

(Fisheries Decree of 1975) The consolidated laws governing fisheries prior to RA 8550. Frequently tested for historical evolution, early definitions of municipal/commercial waters, and contrast with modern management.

RA 7160

(Local Government Code of 1991) Devolution of fisheries governance. Grants Municipal and City Governments jurisdiction over municipal waters (0 to 15 km from the coastline), licensing of municipal fishing boats, and local coastal management.

RA 8435

(Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act - AFMA of 1997) Focuses on modernization, food security, infrastructure, research and development, extension services, and sustainable development across agriculture and fisheries.

RA 7586 & RA 11038

(NIPAS Act & Expanded NIPAS Act) Establishment and management of Protected Areas, including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and national marine parks.

RA 9147

(Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) Protects wild aquatic fauna/flora, regulates trade, and mandates penalties for illegal collection, possession, or transport of threatened species.

RA 8550 Sec. 92 / RA 9003

(Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) Regulates land-based pollution, plastic waste, and discharge affecting aquatic habitats.

RA 9275

(Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004) Water quality management in coastal and freshwater bodies; regulates effluents from aquaculture, processing plants, and industrial sources.

RA 10611

(Food Safety Act of 2013) Regulates food safety requirements across the fishery supply chain (from post-harvest handling, processing, and transportation to market).

PD 1433 / Executive Order 292

Legal mandates for quarantine inspection services to prevent the introduction of foreign aquatic pathogens and invasive species.

RA 9275

Section 23 of this law states that "in cases of fish kill incidence, the Bureau of Fisheries of the DA, in the course of its investigation, may enter the premises of an establishment reported to have caused said incident."

Aquatic Pollution

Under Section 107 of RA 10654, what activity is prohibited?

Exportation of breeders, spawners, eggs, or fry

It is prohibited under Section 104 of RA 10654

Supreme Court

can issue an

injunction or restraining order against the

Department or BFAR in the exercise of their

regulatory functions?

RA 7161 & PD 705

prohibits the

cutting of mangroves

15

National Fisheries Management Council is

composed of how many members?

Parties to Nauru Agreement (PNA)

Refers to an international organization

composed of the Federal States of

Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshal Islands, Nauru,

Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon

Islands, Tokelau and Tuvalu.

DA-DILG JAO Order No. 2, Series of

2014

An Administrative Order establishing a

closed season for small-pelagic fishes in

Davao Gulf.

Unregulated fishing

Refers to fishing activities carried out by

Vessels without nationality but operated by

Filipino and/or Filipino corporation.

Destined for wet markets

importation of fish and fishery

products require certificate of

necessity from the Department of Agriculture

Secretary if:

Laguna Lake Development Authority

Under Section 16 of the Fisheries code, the

municipal/city government shall have

jurisdiction over municipal waters. What entity has jurisdiction over

Laguna Lake?

Executive Order No. 154, Series of

2013

The Executive Order which adopted the

National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and

Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and

Unregulated Fishing.

Management Board

Under Fisheries Administrative Order No.

263, Series of 2019, who is responsible for

the development and implementation of an

Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries

Management Plan for the Fisheries

Management Areas?

Demarcated Areas

It refers to areas whose boundaries are

defined by markers and assigned exclusively

to specific individuals or organizations for

certain specified and limited uses such as:

i. Aquaculture, sea ranching and sea

farming;

ii. Fish aggregating devices;

iii. Fixed and passive fishing gears; and

iv. Fry and fingerling gathering.

Strategic Lawsuit Against Public

Participation

It refers to any civil, administrative or

criminal action to harass, pressure or vex an

enforcer, or any person who push for fishery

reforms, or to stifle any legal action to

enforce the Fisheries Code.

NFARMC

An entity that assists in the

formulation of national policies for the

protection, conservation and sustainable

development and management of fishery

and aquatic resources

DA-Adjudication Committee

the entity that has the sole

authority to impose administrative fine for

violation of RA 10654

Territorial Use Rights in Fisheries (TURFs)

What management scheme grants exclusive, legally protected harvesting rights over an intertidal flat or reef to a local community or cooperative?

RA 9483

(Oil Pollution Compensation Act of 2007) This law establishes strict legal liability and compensation mechanisms for marine pollution, cleanup costs, and economic losses resulting from oil spills

RA 9003

A coastal LGU intends to ban open dumpsites within 500 meters of its shoreline to protect mangrove estuaries. What law mandates the closure of open dumpsites?

Undersecretary of Agriculture

Who serves as the Chairperson of the National FARMC (NFARMC)?

Integrated FARMC (IFARMC)

What type of FARMC structure is mandated for contiguous or shared bodies of water such as interconnected bays, lakes, or gulfs?

No-Take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

What management measures represents a spatial management control rather than a temporal or input control?

Northern Palawan

Joint DA-DILG Administrative Order No. 01 (Series of 2015) enforces an annual closed season for Roundscad (Galunggong) during November 1 to January 31 in which fishing ground?

Small pelagic species in Davao Gulf

What specific fishing ground and species group are targeted by Joint DA-DILG Administrative Order No. 02 (Series of 2014) from June 1 to August 31?

Ludong

Fisheries Administrative Order No. 31 (Series of 1952) establishes a seasonal conservation closure (October 1 to November 15) specifically targeting which valuable freshwater/catadromous species?

Agenda 21

It is the global instrument adopted during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit serves as a comprehensive global blueprint integrating environmental conservation with socio-economic growth

Longline fishing operations

The 1999 IPOA-Seabirds voluntary plan specifically guides nations to mitigate incidental catch during which type of commercial fishing operation?

RA 4850

What law creation act established the agency (Laguna Lake Development Authority) dedicated to leading environmental protection, water quality, and sustainable development within the Laguna de Bay basin?

2000 Bangkok Declaration & Strategy

What international framework agreement adopted in 2000 sets a strategic blueprint for sustainable aquaculture development, emphasizing biosecurity and rural livelihoods?