Fisheries Office Order No. 127, series of 2020. Voluntary Guidelines on the Establishment of a Municipal Catch Documentation and Traceability System for LGUs to Manage Fishery Resources

,. ' ~~1 0 F A0~ .. ' ~· 'c~ R91Jlic of the Philippines :or- >, 8 ~ ,,,,a \ Department of Agriculture ~ ~~.('~,. BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES IJJ h ~ J 3 rd Floor, PCA Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City BFAR ~ Tel. Nos. 929 - 9597, 929-8047 August 03, 2020 FISHERIES OFFICE ORDER NO. /lr Series of 2020 SUBJECT: VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUNICIPAL CATCH DOCUMENTATION AND TRACEABILITY SYSTEM FOR LGUs TO MANAGE FISHERY RESOURCES In the exigency of the service, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisherie~ and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) adopts the enclosed "Voluntary Guidelines on the Establishment of a Municipal Catch Documentation and Traceability System for LGUs to Manage Fishery Resources" pursuant to Rule 38.5 of the implementing ·ules and regulations of Republic Act No. 8550, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654. This voluntary document shall serve as a guide for Local Government Units in implementing a municipal catch document and traceability system in their area of jurisdiction. All orders/memoranda inconsistent herewith are deemed revoked. This Fisheries Office Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in force until revoked by the undersigned. .'A.food-secure Pfti fi ppines w ilii prosperous farmers amf fisiierfo~ I ' • • ~,.-oiOF,\q~ l ~ •,•,• 1"<t Reµublic of the Philippines - :.-. :<I' "",,~ .,. 9 ~~~~~ \ Department of Agriculture ~'141it;;· BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES ~ . , ; .· 3rd Floor, PCA Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City BFAR Tel. Nos. 929 - 9597, 929-8047 August 03, 2020 FISHEIUES OFFICE ORDER N 0. /.2 -::+ Seri~ SUBJECT: VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUNICIPAL CATCH DOCUMENTATION AND TRACEABILITY SYSTEM FOR LGUs TO MANAGE FISHERY RESOURCES In the exigency of the service, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) adopts the enclosed "Voluntary Guidelines on the Establishment of a Municipal Catch Documentation and Traceability System for LGUs to Manage Fishery Resources" pursuant to Rule 38.5 of the implementing ·ules and regulations of Republic Act No. 8550, as amended by Republic Act No. 10654. This voluntary document shall serve as a guide for Local Government Units in implementing a municipal catch document and traceability system in their area of jurisdiction. All orders/memoranda inconsistent herewith are deemed revoked. This Fisheries ffice Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in force until revoked b} the undersigned. EDUARDO B. GONGONA BFAR Natio7 w Voluntary Guidelines on the Establishment of a Municipal Catch Documentation and Traceability System for Local Government Units to Manage Fishery Resources Quezon City, Philippines August 03, 2020 I / ' ' . ,., S ction 1. Objectives. The general objective of this guideline is to establish a data c llection system that is appropriate and viable at the local government level in order to provide a management tool to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and egulated requirements and ensure continued market access of fish and fishery products. It is the aim of this guideline to enjoin local government units (LGUs) to establish and i plement a municipal catch documentation and traceability system (MCDTS), effo!tive a d efficient fisheries management, implement food safety and traceability system with th help of relevant government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), the Department of the Interior and I.ocal G vernment (DILG), civil society organizations (CSOs), and academe. S ction 2. Definition of Terms. a. Auxiliary Invoice - an official document issued by LGUs as evidence of transport of fish and fishery products from the point of origin to the point of destination in the Philippines and/or export purposes; b. Community Service - means any service or activity that is performed for the benefit of the community or its institutions in lieu of payment of fine imposed as administrative or criminal penalty; c. Fish Catch Report - a simplified record of required details of fishing operatio11 for fishing boat 3.0 gross tons and below; d. Fishery Management Areas- a bay, gulf, lake or any other fishery area \\ hich may be delineated for fishery resource management purposes; e. Municipal fisherfolk- persons who are directly or indirectly engaged in municipal fishing and other related fishing activities; f. Municipal Landing Area - areas within the jurisdiction of the LGU where fish and fishery products are landed/unloaded by municipal fishing boats sue h as buying stations, Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLC) and muni;ipal fishports; g. Municipal Fishing Boat - fishing boats, with or without outrigger, with size measured 3.0 gross tons or below; h. Municipal Landing Declaration - an official document issued by the :JGU documenting the landing/unloading of fish and fishery products in muni :ipal landing areas under the jurisdiction of the LGU concerned; 1. Traceability - the ability to trace and follow a food, feed, food- prodt,cing animal or substance intended to be, or expected to be incorporated into a foe d or feed, through all stages of production, processing and distribution. S ction 3. Nature and Scope. This guideline covers municipal fishing boats and fo;hery p oducts that are produced by municipal fishers and landed and sold in municipal l ding areas under the jurisdiction of LGUs. This likewise includes some of the najor p rts that are managed by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PJDA) w: ere municipal fishing boats land. These major ports shall be identified by DA-BFAR dPFDA. N thing in the Guidelines should be read as limiting or undermining any righ :s or o ligations of any parties involved. These Guidelines may be used to guide amendments d inspire new or supplementary legislative and regulatory provisions. f / Section 4. Municipal fisherfolk, municipal fishing boat owners, skipper, and operators. These Guidelines recognize the role of the municipal fisherfolk, municipal boat owners, skipper, and operators. Taking due account of specific legislations imposed b~, the State, the municipal fisherfolk, municipal boat owners, skipper, and operators should stri 1e to ensure that the following are complied with: a. To register as municipal fisherfolk and their fishing boats in accordance with Executive Order No. 305 or their respective municipal ordinance; b. To secure license to fish in the municipal waters from LGUs; c. To report their catch in accordance with the municipal fisheries ordinance and guided by Annex A (Minimum Data Requirements) and Annex B (Process of MCDTS) of this guideline; d. To unload in designated landing areas. The fisher, owner/ operator/skipper of municipal fishing boats shall unload their catch only in landing areas desigrated by the LGU concerned. Designated landing areas include buying stat ons, Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLC) or municipal fish ports. In cases where there are no designated landing areas, the LGUs should designat ~ an authorized person or organization to collect data catch. Section 5. Traders. These Guidelines recognize the role of traders in local economies and sustainable resource utilization. As such, they should ensure compliance of the following: a. To comply with the municipal fisheries ordinance and other fishery-related policies including securing permit to operate with concerned LGUs; b. To maintain an updated report of their operations and submit a monthly report to the LGU through the Municipal Agriculture Office; c. To secure or present auxiliary invoice; and d. To assist LGUs in collecting catch data as applicable. Section 6. Local Government Units. There is a need for clear responsibilities and well defined points of contact in government authorities to implement these Guidelines. Fer this purpose, it is recommended for the LGUs to ensure compliance with the following: a. To issue and implement fisheries ordinance. Each LGU shall adopt fish~ries ordinance/s consistent with the provisions of this guideline and prior consultations with the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Cou 1cils (FARM Cs) and other stakeholders. It shall implement the same uni late ·ally or in cooperation with other LGUs, CSOs, and academe concerned. The fisheries ordinance should be in conformity to RA 8550, as amended by RA 10654; b. To issue fishing boat registration, municipal fishing license and auxi liary invoices for traceability purposes. For purposes of traceability of fish and fishery products, each LGU shall ensure that the following are implementf d in their areas of jurisdiction: i. Register and license fishing boats in their area of jurisdiction; ii. Issue declaration of landing on all unloading of fish and fi shery products; iii. Issue auxiliary invoice for the transport of fish and fishery pre ducts from their area of jurisdiction to any point in the Philippines; and iv. Maintain an updated registry of fishing boats, licenses and gears and I -- / submit the monthly catch reports to the Provincial Fisheries Office. c. To monitor the unloading of fish in designated landing areas. Each LGU ;hall effectively monitor and document the unloading of all fish and fishery pro< ucts in all landing areas under their jurisdictions. In cases where there an no designated landing sites, the LGU shall designate an authorized perso11 to monitor and collect data on fish catch. Fish traders, individual fisherfolk and fisherfolk organizations can be tapped by LGUs as sources of catch data; d. To provide assistance to fisherfolk and traders on how to document their fish catch, in coordination with the DA-BF AR, the DILG, CSOs and academe ; e. To designate appropriate fish catch landing sites in consultation with DA BF AR, FARM Cs, fisherfolk and other stakeholders; f. To issue business permits to fish traders/shippers and ensure that they co1 nply with the reportorial requirements; g. To give feedback to the stakeholders and FARMCs the results of the< atch documentation reports and establish appropriate management actiom in consultation with scientific advisory group and the management body oJ the Fisheries Management Area (FMA), where the LGU is located; and h. To implement management actions, after due consultation with the FAR \1Cs and other stakeholders, that are determined based on the results of assess nent (by DA-BF AR) the catch documentation. The process of data collection and analysis shall be guided by Annex C. Section 7. City/Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council. As recommendatory body to the LGUs, the C/MF ARMC shall ensure that the following functions provided under Section 74 of RA 8550, as amended, are performed, to wit: a. To recommend to the LGU any relevant policies, ordinances and programs related to this guideline; b. To assist LGUs in coordinating with relevant government agencies and organizations that can help in the implementation of this guideline; and c. To recommend to the LGU actions that will help in the implementatior and improving the enforcement of this guideline. Section 8. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. As the the main government agency mandated to conserve, manage and protect the fisheries and aquatic resources of the country, DA-BFAR should ensure that fisheries policies are being implemented. DA-.3FAR should ensure the implementation of the following: a. To issue guideline on municipal catch documentation and traceability system as mandated under R.A. No.8550, as amended by R.A. No. 10654; b. To provide technical assistance upon request from the LGU in the form c,f the following: 1. Capability building, specifically in the training of staff of LGUs who shall handle the MCDTS; 11. Information technology, where DA-BF AR shall recommend appror riate electronic MCDTS; and iii . Management of database of municipal fishing boat. c. To implement trade-related measures. DA-BF AR shall implement trade-n lated measures taking into consideration Fisheries Administrative Order No. 238, which provides guideline for fishery export products to the European l Jnion I i -- / and any other requirements imposed by international and local markets; d. To ensure the inter-operability of different data collection and information management system such as but not limited to Municipal Fisherfolk Registration (FishR) and Boat Registration (BoatR) Section 9. Department of Interior and Local Government. Government authorities and agencies at all levels should work to develop knowledge and skills to support susta nable fishery policies. Towards this end, the DA-BF AR shall coordinate with the DILG to t nsure that the aim of the Guidelines is implemented which includes the following: a. To provide technical support to the LGUs particularly in the formulation or a model ordinance on CDTS; b. To assess the performance of LGUs in terms of their mandates under R.A. No. 10654, which amended R.A. No. 8550, through its Fisheries Compliance Audit (FishCA); and c. To assist in the dissemination of this guideline to the LGUs and en ~ure compliance by LGUs. I I -- / A nnex AM'. . m1mum ey aa K D t El Key Data Elements Control Number Name of Fisher Gender Vessel Name Home Port Fisherfolk Registration Number Vessel Registration Number Fishing Vessel License Fishing Gear License Fishing Ground/s Date of Departure (If applicable for traders) Time of Departure (If applicable for traders) Date of Return (If applicable for traders) Time of Return (If applicable for traders) Catch Landing Site/Casa/Consignacion/Ports Name of Buyer Fishing Gear Species caught Weight/Quantity Length of Fish (if applicable) Total weight per species emen s or e umc1pa IS ac t i th M . . I F' h C t h R eport wit XIStmg 'hE. . MCDTS Definition Assigned unique identification number for each fish catch fon n. Name of fisher directly or personally and physically engaged i n taking fishery and aquatic resources. Determination of sex (male or female) Registered name of fishing vessel/boat Refers to the LGU where the fishing vessels is registered. Refers to the number appears in the Certificate ofFisherfolk Registration (CFR). Number assigned and issued by the Muni ~ipal ii Agriculture Office - Fisheries Section to a registered Municip Fisherfolk. Refers to the number appears on Vessel Identification Numbe (VIN), assigned by the Municipal Agriculture Office - Fisheri Section, written in the Certificate of Number to a registered municipal fishing vessel that shall consist of three parts: The c of the province-code of municipality-running number as presc in EO 305 series of 2004; the official number in the Certificatl Number. Refers to a permit to operate a specific types of fishing vessel a specific duration within municipal waters for demersal or pelagic fishery resources. es ode ribe : of for Refers to a permit to operate a specific types of fishing gear specific duration within municipal waters for demersal or pe "or a agic fishery resources. Location(s) where capture of seafood occurred. Calendar start of fishing operation. Schedule of a fishing vessel to depart from a given point of on gin. Calendar end of fishing operation. Fishing vessel arrival time to a given destination. Where seafood was first discharged to land. Casa/Consignation/Owner of buying station name. Refers to any instrument or device and its accessories utilized ID taking fish and other fishery species. Scientific name/English Name/Local Name of fishery produc1. Numerical quantifiable amount of seafood with a standard un t of measure. Measurement of a fish from snout to the standard length (SL) or e fork length (FL) or Total Length (TL). (Note: depending on tl 1 species) Sum of weight for each kind of fish caught. I -- / Annex B. Prescribed Fish Catch Report for municipal tuna handline Republic Of the Pl11Nppines Department Of Agiculture BUREAU OF FISHERIES ANO AQUATIC RESOURCES 3rd Floor, PCA Building, Olliman . Quezon City PRESCRIBED FISH CATCH REPORT (for EU Simplified Catch Certificate) Fishing Details 0.:.te oJ ROI\ITI Landed Target Species (Use Codes) Weight Grade (kgsJpc.) (A,B,C,D) TAG Retained By-Catch Species (Use Codes) No. of Pieces Total Welghl fkgs.) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Target Speclts Code: YFT = Yellowfln tuna BET= Bigeye tuna BUM= Blue marlin swo = SWordflsh SFA = Sailfish PBF = Pecitlc Blue Fin Tuna I certify that the above information are true and correct to the best of my kl'lOlll/ledge and abilities Signature Over Printed Name of the Boat Captain/Owner 2 .-------+----+-----, 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Retained By-Catch Species Code: SKJ = Skiptack COR = Mahi-mah/ WAH = Wahoo SCOM = Mackerels RRU = Rainbow Runner ALB= Albacore FRI = Frigate tuna SHA= Sharks OPA = Opah (Diane) NEI = Others Certified correct (I I Signature Over Printed Name of the Casa ONner / Annex C. Process Cycle of MCDTS Results of the analysis shall be popularized by LG Us with the help of the academe, NGOs and DA-BFAR. Results shall be used to inform policies and plans for coastal and fisheries resources management. Sources ot intormat1on: (1) t-1shers; (L) I raders; (.:S) Fisherfolk Associations, among others Data collected shall be analyzed by the technical staff of the LGU with assistance from the academe, NGOs and DA-BFAR Voluntary Guidelines on the Establishment of Municipal Catch Documentation and Traceability System ·~ If paper-based: data collected shall be encoded by the technical staff from the LG Us in the Municipal Agriculture Office/Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office/Coastal Resources Management Office. If electronic-based: data collected shall be downloaded to the database