Fisheries Administrative Order No. 250, s. 2014 prohibiting the Collection, Harvesting, Gathering, Selling, and/or Exporting of Brown Algae (Sargassum spp.), and Seagrass

Marth 10, 2014 Republic of the Philippines Department of Agriculture Office of the Secretary Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon Chy .. . FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 250· Series of 2014 SUBJECT: Prohibition on the Collection, Harvesting, Gathering, Selling, and/or Exporting of Brown Algae (Sargassum spp.), and Seagrass WH,~REAS, the mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and seaweed forests being parts of the marine ecosystems are important natural resources of the state, inter-dependent wfrh .each other, serve significant ecological functions where a balance in the over-all condition of each must be maintained to ensure the survival ofdiverse fish and aquatic species; WHEREASi seagrasses are highly productive : -c':osystems that provide shelter and serve as food base to diverse species of juvenile and adult fish, marine invertebrates and mammals hence, providing a life support system tCYmost aquatic rri'ar.fae·organisms; WHEREAS, seaweeds also play an important ecological role in marine communities particularly large seaweeds form dense underwater forests that serve as -underwater nurseries and shelter for many marine animals and mammals such as fish, invertebrates, crabs, worms and as a food base for sea urchins and other grazing invertebrates; WHEREAS, seagrass and seaweed beds slow down water-currents, reduce sediment load in water for the benefit of adjacent coral reefs, provide wave protection to coastal zones, and stabilize the seabed thus preventing coastal erosion; WHEREAS, the high commercial value and consequently the demand in the global market for seaweeds particularly the brown macroalgae of the genus Sargassum spp. and the seagrasses has resulted in uncontrolled harvesting of both resources in the wild; WHEREAS, the loss of seagrass and Sargassum beds will consequently destroy the balance in the marine .ecosystem and result to loss of shelter, and loss of food base to all aquatic organisms dependent on them, thus endangering their survival; WHEREAS, natural re-colonization and recovery of damaged seagrass and Sargassum areas is a very slow process that will take decades; WHEREAS, restoration of totally lost seagrass and Sargassum areas due to harvesting is ~ ~ 1 WHEREFORE, to arrest the further loss of the seagrass and Sargassum resources, and pursuant to Sections 2, 3, 86, 92, and 107 of Republic Act 8550, the following rules and regulations entitled, "Prohibition on the Collection, Harvesting, Gath~:r'tng, Selling, arid / or Exporting of Brown Algae, (Sargassum spp.) and Seagrass" are hereby promulgated for the information of all concerned: Section 1. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Order, the following terms as used he;ein shall mean and shall be construed as follows: 1. Brown algae - Algae belonging to a large group that includes many seaweeds typically olive brown or greenish. · 2. Sargassum - A genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae) macroalgae (seaweeds) in the order of Fucales family Sargassaceae. 3. Sargassum spp. - Numerous species under genus Sargassum found in the Philippines. 4. Seagrass - Angiosperms or group of submerged flowering plants in the marine environment. 5. Brown algae and seagrass collecting, harvesting, arid/ or gathering ~ The taking or removing of brown algae and seagrass from the natural or wild growth areas. 6. Selling - The trade of brown algae and seagrass in the landing/ m arket places. 7. Export- Trading of brown algae and seagrass to another country. 8. Person - Natural or juridical entities such as individuals, associations, partnerships, cooperatives or corporations. Section 2. Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person, association or corporation to collect, harvest, gather, sell, and/or export brown algae i.e. Sargassum spp. and seagrass. Provided however, that the Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BF AR) through the Secretary of Agriculture may grant a special permit to collect, harvest, gather, sell, and/or export Sargassum spp. and seagrass for scientific and/or educational purposes, subject to such conditions as the Director of BF AR may deem wise to impose. Provided Furth~r that the Director of BF AR through the Secretary may grant reseqrch institutions limited collection, harvesting, and/ or gathering of Sargassum spp. and seagrass to determine the ecological and socio-economic impact of the activity on the fisheries resources. Section 3. Penalty. Any person or corporation who violates this Order shall suffer a penalty of two (2) years to ten (10) years imprisonment and a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (Pl00,000.00) to Five hunclt ed thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or both, such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court, and the confiscation of the ha~ 2 Section 4. Repealing Provision. All orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof ·inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby revoked. Section 5. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication .in any newspaper of general circulation and upon registration with the Office of the National Adm· · trative Register. S ren-H"l-1 epartment of Agriculture DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE I 111111111111111111111 ,:11111111111111111111111111111111111111 IIII IIII In replying pls cite this code : For Signature: S-03-14-0229 Received : 03/14/2014 :11 :07 AM Date Published: Phil. Daily In~uirer Phil. Star April 17, 2014 April 17, 2014 Recommending Approval: irector, Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources (Y Undersecretary, DA Chairman, NFARMC 3