Administrative Order No. 258, s. 2018 establishing Tuna Conservation and Management Zones (TCMZ) in the Mindanao/Celebes Sea

~~"{ OF 4G;;>, ~~ , , • ..,. 0v,, ,, Republic of the Philippines l ~~ ~ S 'S --. ~ Department of Agriculture 0 ~~~t[?J"' Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources i1[J!I0,1t ))} PCA Compound, Elliptical Road, D iliman, Quezon City I 't(/ Tel. Nos. 929-95-97. 929-80-74 FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. Q§8 ---= Series of 2018 SUBJECT: ESTABLISHMENT OF TUNA CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ZONES (TCMZ) IN THE MINDANAO/CELEBES SEA. WHEREAS, the high fishing pressure on juvenile tunas causes growth overfishing, resulting to reduced potential yield from the fishery, decreased economic and other benefits that could be obtained from the stock, and negatively impacts on productivity and sustainability of resources is one of the issues in tuna fisheries; WHEREAS, the juvenile tunas are usually caught by surface fisheries including purse seine, ringnets and shallow hook and line fishing; WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to address issues on juvenile catch; the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) implements several measures including but not limited to CMM 2017-01; WHEREAS, Fisheries Administrative Order No. 226 sets the ceiling of small tuna by-catch at 10% and regulates the trading of small tunas; WHEREAS, the Philippines as a signatory to the WCPFC and various RFMOs commits to comply and promote effective management in order to achieve the long-term conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks; WHEREAS, reports of Philippine Fisheries Observer Program (PFOP) indicate high incidence of juvenile skipjack, yellowfin and bigeye tuna catch in Mindanao-Celebes Sea Area; WHEREAS, the country also implements compatible measures within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in compliance with the relevant WCPFC CM Ms; WHEREAS, tuna handline fishing is considered as more sustainable fishing method; WHEREAS, there is a long-time clamor among tuna handliners to have their own fishing zones; WHEREAS, the Establishment of Tuna Conservation and Management Zones (TCMZ) in the Mindanao - Celebes Sea shall be considered as other fishery management areas; NOW, THEREFORE, the Tuna Conservation and Management Zones (TCMZ) in the ·-. .... ... Mindanao - Celebes Sea shall be established and considered as other fishery management areas as a compatible measure in the conservation and protection of small tunas and provide fishing zones to handline fisherfolk for sustainable tuna fish production. ·, . ' SECTION 1. Definition a) TCMZ - refers to the Tuna Conservation arid Management Zone initially established in the Mindanao - Celebes Sea; composed of payao clusters that are designated as exclusive fishing zones for tuna handlines and conservation area for small tunas. .· •: .· .. . · b) Payao or FAD - is a fish aggregating device consisting of a floating raft or drums anchored by a weighted line with suspended materials such as palm fronds which attract pelagic and schooling species of fish. c) Tuna handline - is a traditional fishing technique where a single fishing line is held in the hands and targets relatively larger-size and deep dwelling tunas. SECTION 2. Area. The established TCMZ Clusters in the Mindanao-Celebes Sea are bounded by the following coordinates: Cluster Reference Latitude (N) Longitude (E) Point 1 1 4o 00' 00" 1220 42' 00" 2 4o 00' 00" 123° 00' 00" 3 4o 15' 00" 122° 51' 00" 2 1 4015' 00" 123° 30' 00" 2 40 23' 00" 1230 43' 00" 3 4o 31' 00" 123° 29' 00" 3 1 4° 55' 00" 124° 10' 00" 2 4° 55' 00" 124° 25' 00" 3 50 09' 00" 124° 17' 30" 4 1 5° 16' 39" 125° 07' 02" 2 5° 16' 47" 125° 13' 36" 3 5° 34' 02" 125° 11' 20" 4 5° 34' 00" 125° OS' 12" 5 1 5° 35' 00" 124° 23' 00" 2 50 35' 00" 124° 38' 00" 3 s0 49' 00" 1240 30' 00" 6 1 5o 55' 00" 123° 40' 00" 2 50 55' 00" 123° 55' 00" 3 6° 09' 36" 123° 47' 00" 7 1 6° 15' 00" 123° 00' 00" 2 60 15' 00" 123° 15' 00" 3 6° 29' 30" 123° 07' 18" SECTION 3. Management. All concerned fishermen groups/ alliances/ cooperatives/ associations, LGUS and BFAR-RFOs 9, 11,12 ARMM are enjoined to implementthis policy. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among BFAR, LGUs and beneficiary groups shall form the basis of managing the TCMZ. SECTION 4. Prohibition. It shall be unlawful to catch tuna in the TCMZ area by means of purse seine, ringnet, or other fishing with the use of nets. The allowed fishing gears are handline, troll line and other hook and line fishing methods. SECTION 5. Penalty. Pursuant to Section 95 of R.A. 8550 as amended by R.A. 10654, violation of this order uporta summary of administrative liability, the owner, operator, boat captain and master fisherman of the vessel, or the chief executive officer in a corporation, or the managing partner in a partnership shall be punished with confiscation of the catch and fishing gears, and a fine three (3) times the value of the value indicated below, whichever is higher: (1) Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for municipal fishing: Provided, That if the offender fails to pay the fine, he shall render community service; (2) Fifty thousand pesos (PS0,000.00) for small-scale commercial fishing; (3) One hundred thousand pesos (Pl00,000.00) for medium-scale commercial fishing; and ( 4) Five hundred thousand pesos (P500, 000.00) for large-scale commercial fishing. Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment of two (2) years to six (6) years and fine equivalent to twice the administrative fine, confiscation and forfeiture of fishing gear and catch. SECTION 6. Effectivity. This order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette and/or }J.l two (2) newspapers of general circulation and fifteen (15) days after its r · ation with the Office of the National Administrative Register. EMMANUEi: F. PINOL Secretary/ Recommended by: ndersecretary i i: Director, BF AR l ~ 2018 at Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines OEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 1111 1111111111111 1111111111111111111111\lllllll lllll 11:1111!111111111· in replying pls cite this codt · 1=or Signature: S-06-18-0361 Rocelvod : 06/26/2018 03:30 PM :. / \ ' -~ ... Republic of the Philippines Department of Agriculture National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources · ~-. Management Council (NFARMC) Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City NFARMC RESOLUTION No. 14 Series of 2018 RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER (FAO) ENTITLED "ESTABLISHMENT OF TUNA CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ZONES (TCMZ) IN MINDANAO-CELEBES SEA" TO THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR APPROVAL WHEREAS, the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC) is a multi-sectoral body composed of representatives from all major stakeholders in Philippine fisheries and serves as an advisory and recommendatory body to the Department of Agriculture (DA); WHEREAS, Section 72 (a) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R. A. No. 8550 or The Philippine Fisheries Code, as amended by R. A. No. 10654, states that xxx "NFARMC shall have the following functions: (a) assist in the formulation of national policies for the protection, sustainable development and management of fishery and aquatic resources xxx"; WHEREAS, the proposed Fisheries Administrative Order entitled "Establishment of Tuna Conservation and Management Zones (TCMZ) in Mindanao-Celebes Sea" is hereby recommended to contribute to the conservation and protection measure of the country's fisheries and aquatic resources under Chapter I, Section 2 (f) and the last paragraph of Section 2 of R. A. No. 8550 as amended by R. A. No. 10654; WHEREAS, the proposed Fisheries Administrative Order is hereby recommended by the NFARMC for approval by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 61 of R. A. No. 8550 as amended by R. A. No. 10654; WHEREAS, the proposed Fisheries Administrative Order has been recommended for approval with the condition that said FAQ will be reviewed after one (1) year from its effectivity; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the proposed Fisheries- Administrative Order entitled "Establishment of Tuna Conservation and Management Zones (TCMZ) in Mindanao-Celebes Sea" is hereby approved and adopted; .• RESOLVED, FURTHER, that copies of this resolution be furnished to the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, the Office of the Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and other concerned offices; and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED during the second quarter meeting of the council on May 18, 2018 held at the Camp Holiday Resort and Recreation Center, Babak District, Island Gardeh:Ci.ty of Sama!. ~-tP,t,,,, -"1 ,..,. · DR. YASMIN P. TIROL Academe Fisherfolk - Luzon (l0 MARTHA E. CADANO Fisherfolk - Visayas Small Scale Commercial Fisheries Organization TE B. CONTRERAS Aquacultur ~~ RO E UPONG Fishe ol - Luzon ~BO Fisherfolk - Mindanao Alternate Member, Medium Scale Comme cial Fisheries .. d Aqna,tic Resou rces .im111. Qurt<:m City FISlfEJll£S ADMINISTRATIVE ORD,EllNO. -'-9./i=B'--­ Series of2018 SUBJT£T: EST J\l!USllMENT OF TO"NA cor,<~VJ\TlO!IANI) MANIIGElll £NT ZONES (Tt:M1.) 1N TIIBMlN!lANAO/CEI.EllES SEA. WHEREAS, the high llsblnz press..,. on juv,:nlle taros = growth o;mlsltlng. resulting to reduced potential yield from the. fishery. dccrea..-a:d e(.onomic aod othnr benefits Illa!: could be obtoincd from lhe soocli. .\lld ncp.otiv-cly impacts on prcd uctiYity :-ind su..-ttain::tb:lity ofrc:sourc~:is one of the issaCSin Luna fisberles; WHER.F.AS1 the juvenile ltt.nas a.re usually Ologht by su('fuce tisbe rl~ indoding purse scin~~ ringn~ and '--hallow hook :.and Unc fishing. WUF.JU:.AS, there iS an urgent need to :-tddress }"sues on juvenile t.:att h; tiro We."-1.cru a.nd U!'ntral PacHic Fishcric.1- Commissfol1 (WCP'J.T.} knplertlents 'S:tV\°!J"ail tnc.1$U.ros induaJnf, but nor llmlred-toCMM l017-0J; WJI.ERUS, fisheries Aclmlnlstrati"'Order No.,226 scl.$ Ille celling of small runa by-<'1\Cb at 10% and rogu!ates the ITadlng of smoll tunas; 'lfflERF.J\.~, lhc Pbilippi.nc.s a~ a .5'ig.n;,tory to tht.· WCPfC and variou..~ RFMO.s commlt.'ftO comply :llxl p:romotc effecth-e m.w.t.geroeo.t i.n o rder tc> achiev1) tht long-term cooscrv.:nlon-andsusu.inable useofhighlytn.lgrato·ry fL~lJ stocks; WIIF..R£1\S, reports of l'bllippl.ne Fl5l10,ics Obscl~n l?rogt>ro \Pl:OP) lndk.ote hl::f\ foc,dcmcc of fuvcuilc sk1pfack. yeUowtin iilrtd btgoye t\lD.:\. catd\ in Mln<larmo-Ccl<!UCS Sn."'t Arca: WHER.EAS, the cou.nt,y also implements compatible mcimlros within £.-.,:dustvc £con omit Zone (l:.'EZ) i.:, compliance with the relevant WCPfC CMMs: WJI.£Rl!AS, \.u.rra h3JldJlno fis:hln g l.~ consltlered ..1s more sustain.able Oshlng method; WJLEREAS, there 1s a long-ttme- damor amonJ?tuna bandJJoe:rs tn h>1VP. t,hrJro1\'TI flsblog tones; WJlrJU: .. 4\5, the £:.t.a.bli.sbmcntofTuna Conservation and Man.1gemcnllones (TOtZ) in the Mind anao- Celcbcl Scasba1\ be consldu-ed a.s ~hc.rfi!::hc.-ry'm.-maJtemen"ta-.rca~ NOW, 11U:REFOR£, ib.e Tuna f.onst=tton and MaM~lJltnt Zones (TCl,IZ) ln Ille Mfnda.n.-o -Cclebcs Sc-.1sballbe~st.abl lsht,Jandconstden-da:sothcr 6~managcment .ircas as a comtJ.ftibl c 1nca:Sl1ro in tbe conse.ri-ation ·ancl prot'ectioo of i rnaJJ h.\1).J$ a.nd p1-ovtde fish.Ing 7.0r>e'- to' handUU1? fisberfolk for sustataable fllM fls'h production. ~Cl'JON 1.J?e6n.ition ~) TCM Z - refers to the Twia Co1lSl!l"V.IUon and tl'..ana.gemcnt Zone inJti:Jlly c5r.Jblishcd in the Mindanao - Cclcbcs Sea: composed of pa~o du.so:~ that arc dcs-igoated as rxclu.sivc fi:iliing zones £or tuna hMdlirles and conscrv.'\tion area for sm:tlt tunas. b} l';.yao or FJ\D -J.saf.L'ffia.gg,re~tlngdeyi~conslsting of afloolinc ran:ordrum.s n:nthorc<l by a wciabted Hric with suspeodcd m:ttcrbls sur.h as p,;dJ'n fromls wWch attract pel~ic anti schooling .spcc.ics of fish. c:) Tun:i handf!nc - Is a trndltional flsh lb~ 1c.::hntquc where., single (bih iOf. line J.s h<'ld in the h 3nd,.a ndtlrgN.s n:fativcly farg:r--sl:lcand dccyt d.vclli.ne tmrns. StCTION 2. A(ca.. Tb• cSt>l,l ;shcd TCMZ a.,ss,-rs In Ille MhulObo<>-Cclebcs Sea .,.. lxrn.nded by the foUawi:ng roordfn,atcs: 3 l ~'--+----":--::=,-':':,,.-- +-~:!:..!~ ~~ ~---';~'--+---':5'=-o'-'"1G"' .;3"'9·,---+----!1~2s~•:.,o'-!1Cc· a!'oz~ z 5" 16' 47" 125° 13' 36'" 1-- ~3 , ""s-· 3"'4·0""2·, ,, ,12s• 11· 20· ,t. 5034•00- 1isoos·1r I 5'35'00" 124" 23'00" 2 5°35'00" 12-1438"00" 3 5'49"00" IZ4• 30"00'" 6--+---'1'---1----=s,ss · oo· 123•10' 00 2 s• ss· oo· 1210 ss· oo 3 6•0<>'16'"---+-~ii"":ie,i.roo· 7 1 6° 1s· oo· 1 n • oo· 0O'" 2 6'l5' 00" 123"15"00'" . . -"1 , .,,6c...•~,, -9'-'"3,o, · ., ,12~~~Z'..1!!'. SECT'lON 3. Man~U"t::nt. AU co~~ &:hcr..neu 1!fUups/ MlWl<:e'S/ eoop,e.r.tliv6 / osscd.11lcm, U:.USa nd 8 FAR·RF0s 9.11,12 AA!,!M :m en Joined to Implement this policy. A Mem1.1randum of Agl-et:mect (MOAJ -.lrnong BFAR. l.,CUs 2nd benefJcl;uy .cn,ups shall (onn the basis ofma~~g,ng tin~ TGM7 ... SEC1"J(rN 4. P.-oWblUoo. lt shall be unlawful tu c.>.tch tuna in the TCMZ area by me:11?$ of purse scine. ringnct. or other fishing wJlb th~ u se or nets. The allowed fiShlng gears .:ire h..ndline, troll line and other hook .ind Une fi.sb ir.g mdhods. SEC110N s. Penalty. P\\TSU;:\11t to Section 95 of Ju\. OSSO as amended by it.A. 10654, violat,cm of this ordor uprtn ,'l s-umma.ry of adminlstralivc Uability, t he uwnc,r. operator, !.,oat captain and master fisherman or the vessel. or U>e chief cxcaiti'vc officer Jn a i:orpor.ttion. er the m.1nagingpartner i n 3 partnc:rshlpshall bcpunisbcd with confi!cation of the c.it(h .l'1d fisb.ing r-ars. atid .1 fine three (3} timt$ the value ofthe valce fndlc.atcd below, whicheve r L"" h igher. (1) 1\vcnty thou~nml fX~0S (l"Z0,000.00) for munldpril fishing: Provided. Tit.i t ff the offender fo il~ to pay the fine. he shall render community s:e rvtce; (2) r:ift.y t tlQusand pesos (PS0.000.00) fer s m.all..s-catc commercial fishtng: (3) One hundred tho11!.and pesos: (Pl00,000.00) for medium-scale coromet'tfal fis:Mng; ~n<l (-i) fi1,·c hundred thous.1nd pl"~os (P500, 000.00) for largc~c.,lc commercial fi!htng. Upon convictic n by .:1 court on aw. the offender shall be punished W'lth imprisonment of two (2) years t o s::lx (6) years 3.nd fine t.'1:Juiv.dent to twice the adm1nio;tntivc fine, ronflscation a11d forfeiture of fi!;hing gear '"1 nd t a \d1, SECT JON 6. EfC.ctlvU;y. Thlsordorsh>U takeeOoct Ofteen (15) daysantrits p-ublicoUon In the Official C;ucttc and/or !n two (Z} new-.p.'lf)Cf$ of gcn@ral circulation aod fifteen (15) days .iftcr itc;. ·-rtrat:Joo w jth. t.h~ Office o! the Natio,., 1 Ad1.n inh.trativc R.?gister. RccommPndcd by. 11;i1irimwilflii['UR. »,r~ J><• N t e''• U ... ,l!'f t\gfl~ur•: $.-.11,<1nt 11."m~; o,.?L;,,1,o,'.'G r11 P.S. July 12, 2018 THE PHILIPPINE ST AR F!Slff'1\!ES ADM!NISTllJ\ T!VE OROER NO. 2:16-5 Serles of2018 SUBJllCT: F .. HENSJON OF M O 23<>-4 SERIES OF 201S ON TI!£ RULES AND RfGULl\."nONS ON Tilf. Ol'ER,n !ONS 01' l'URSE SEINE AND RJNG NET V.ESS!l1$ USING flSil AGGRF:G!ll"lNG D!IV!Ci£s (l'ADS) LOCALLY l!NOWN . AS PAYAOS DUU:ING TllF. l'AD o.osmn; 111-JtlOD i\S COMPATIBLE MEJ\SURf:5 TOWCFPC Cll!M 2017·01. \Vfl£R£1\S, lhe Wc:.lc rn and Cent.ml PaWlc fi~c,1es Cc;u:nmiss:ion (WCPFC) ac.(opted CMM 2017-01 entitled 'Conser,;,l;on >lld ManagcmClltl>IC2Sllte for Dlgeye. YeltowOn and Skipfack In the Wc.,torn and Ccntrnl Pacific Ocean•: l. Pa ragr•ph 16 st..tes tllat "A thn:e-monlh Qulf, August and September) proh ib lion ol de?loyini;. scrvidog or setting on FADs !hall be p!.cod between 0001 bours llTC on 1 July and 2359bours UTC on.30 S<pren,bercacb~r fur al.I purse !>e lne ,.,esscls. tender vessels.and any olh erves:selsopcratingin supp()rt of purse ~einc \ '1:~rls f15hingiiJ the: cx:clusive«o:nortuc·zones and the.high ~-eas in the area bctwe~n 200N .and 2005.' 2. P:u-.gn ph JI ,tat~.s that "In addition to d1e thn:c-JnQnlh FAD dosun, In p:,ragrrph 16, exttpt for tllose vasel• flytng tbo Kiribati Rag ln tltehi.gh seas adfaccat to the KlribaU exclusive economic · zone, and Philippine ,"C.Sscls ope-rat:ng in llSPl in 3C:Cor<la11cc with a tbcbment:2,. it shall be prohlbJtad to deploy service o: set on FJ\Os In the high seas for two additlolW scquentlal mon th:: of the ye,r. E:ocb CCM :shall d«tde which two scquentlal months l cllhe.r April • \lay or November-Deccrnbe.r) shall b• closed. to setting on FAJJs"by their fleecy in the hif,h ,.,, •• for 2018, and noury lhc sccn:tar1at or that dectJon by Mar<b l , 2018 ." 3. P.aragmph 25:.t=i:es t hat · Coastal CCMswit.hln the Convention Areasball restrict purse ~elnc dfort:-.md/or atch of skipjadc,ye.Uowfi:n and btgeye tuna within their £El..-. h accordance wllb the effort limits cstabUshcd .\00 uotilied 10 the Commission .rnrl set out in Table 1 of Aaacbme:nr t .. 't1Jose coastal CCl~s that have y••t to notify limits to the C:Ommiss!o n sh•O d~ so by31 Oecember20Ul". Wl!EREAS, FJ\0236, FAO 23&-l, l'AO 23,~2,and fA0236-3andFAO 236-½were • riacted os compatible rreasure< to L"MMs 20011-0l. 2011-(ll. 2012-01. 2013--01,. 2014-01, 20lS· Oland 2016-0;. rcspcctlvely. WHER EAS. invicw olth~ a<loplion and implemcntotionofCMM 2017-0l ,thcn: ls ancc<l to esmbllsh lhe Fi\O closure per io<l within the EE"l of the Pbilippinc• on July, Allg\lstand September as• comp., ible measure to C.111111 2017·01. NOW l"ttEJU:fORE. the following provisjons of this Order are h e.reby adopted and irrtp!c,ne:1.1tcd: s«tlon :I.. FAU Closure Period. The FAD closure period under FAO 236--5 sh"U take effect for the pcrlod of three (3) months startin g from julyl toSeptembor30, 2018. Section 2. Net lnspea.!011/J\ccredltatlon. The BfAll shall conduct annual ln:spection/rc-J: 1~-pc-ct1on snd marking of purse seine and.ring net fishing gears to e.nsure cnmp li•ncc to the rtdua•d net depth e<t~lrHsbcd u nderfAO 236 which ls 11.Sf.rthoms. section 3. J\lor ltor/Observ<r Cover.,ge. All purse seine and d ngnet cat<:her = ls fishing on FAIis during the PAO dosun! period sh.:tU cany or.board accredited Monitors/Fisheries Observer, who snail galhcr dat, and recommend l ~rther impn:wemcnts during lhe afort:mentloned ;:,erlod. ' Scctlon 4. Problhltions. The rollowlnn acts shall be prohibited uoder this l'AO: 1. Setting on FAI.Js without annual iospcdJon/re--inspection of nets; 2. Using ,,u,u~1orb ed nets during F4D closure period (authorized/allowed mtlucod nel clepth shall be l 1S fathoms and below as cst:,bllshed tn ~AO 236), and: 3. Setting on FADs withoul Obscrvets3$theyareNG.uittd. ' Sccllon 5. S.1nc;lons. Any fisblng compaey or individual wh o commits 3Jlyoltheabovt problblt.ed acts shall bo S\lbjc<te<I to a Hne of One httndrtd thousand pesos (Pbp 100.000.00) to Three hu ndred tl1ou<0nd p<1sos (Pl ,p 300,000.00) fur s mall-scale con;merdal nshing. Four hundred th ousand pesos (l'hp 400,000.00) to Seven b uud.red thousand pesos (700,000.00) (or medium-scale commercial fishln~ and Eight hundred thousand peso, (800.000.00) to One million pesos (1,000,000.0 0) for large scale commercial fishing. The- mintmum fib~ shall btt imposed for the flrst•Me o.ffcndc?S. However, BFAR may impose t.bemaxJmum fine for the flSbiog<ompany whn Violat\~d ror the fourth time, in cluding conf1Scalion of catch and cancellationofCFVGL s«tlon 6. Efft<ll'l>lty. This Order shall t,ke elfu<t fifieen (1S) days alter the publication in the Oflkial Gueue and/or in two (2) newspapers of general dr'Ollation and upon rngistration witlt lbc N~,i<·md Administrative Register and $hall be deem'Cd. cotcrtuinous with 0 % 12017-,\1)<"'' Issued ~,~y or~ 2018 atQuczon Crty, M• tro Maru1a. Philippines ~ I -AA-,~--~ EMMANUEL d ·1i'lo1. lt 'llll,mUllllil!lll!UllltllllU Sccrct.uy ,:=:.~i:1~ Recom:ne ulmg A.porm·al: U.(IRDt . N = - -~~!-~ Und=coet -yof~ · .DA Dire-et.or. I' AR ~ I . P.S . J olv 12. 2018 ijCbe ]-Nan Ha ijCitnes w w w . m a n i ·I a t i m e s . n e t Republic of the Philippines Department of Agriculture B ureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources PCA Compound, E!liptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City' TeL Nos. 929-95-97. 929-80-74 FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER N0.258 Series of 2018 SUBJECT: ESTABLISHMENT OF TUNA CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ZONES (TCMZ) IN THE MINDANAO/ CELEBES SEA. WHEREAS, the high fishing pressure on juvenile tunas causes growth overfishing, resulting to reduced potential yield from the fishery, decreased economic and other benefits that could be obtained from the stock, and negatively impacts on , productivity a~d sustainability of resources is one of the issues in tuna fisheries; · WHEREAS; the juvenile tunas are usually caught by surface fisheries including purse seine, ringnets and shallow hook and line fishing; · WHEREAS,, there is an urgent need to address issues on juvenile catch; the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) implements seyeral measures·including but not limited to CMM 2017-01 ; WHEREAS, Fisheries Administrative Order N~~ 226 sets the ceiling of small tuna by-catch at 10% and regul~tes the trading of small tunas; · WHEREAS, the Philippines as a ·signatory to the WCPFC and various RFMOs commits to comply and promote effective management in order to achieve the long-term conservation and sustainable use. of hlghly migratory fish stocks; "'·t'· ,.. i .. ' ·.' >. • '..i·~,• l': I ,~. ' ~ -, •• .• ' • WHERE.A~. r~pofts of Philippine Fisheries Observer Program (PFOP) indicate high incidence of juvenile skipjack, yellowfin ·and bigeye tuna catci:l in Mindar:iae>-Ce1ebes.Sea Area; . . ·1 ~ .:-,:TJ I., WHE~EAS, the. country a1so irTiplerTlents compatible measures within Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in compliance with the relevanl WCPFC CMMS; WHEREAS, tuna handline fishing is cor"l~idered as more sustainable fishing method; WHEREAS, there is a long·time clamor among tuna handliners t~ 0 have their own ijshing zones; WHEREAS, the Establishment of Tuna Cornservation and Management Zones. (TCMZ) in the Mindanao • Celebes Sea shall be: considered as other fishery management areas; NOW, THEREFORE, the Tuna Conservation and Management Zones (TCMZ) in the Mindanao - Celebes Sea shall be established and considered as other fishery management areas as a compatible measure in the conservation and protection of small tunas and provide fishing zone~ to handline fisherfolk for sustainable tuna fish production. SECTION 1. Definition a. TCMZ - · refers to the Tuna Conservation and Management Zone initially established in the Mindanao - Celebes Sea; composed of payao clusters that are designated as exclusive fishing zones for tuna handlines and conservation area for small tunas. b. Payaq or FAD - is a fish aggregating device consisting of a floating raft or drums anchored by a weighted line w ith suspended materials such as pa!m fronds which attract pelagic and·schooling species of fish c. · Tuna handline - is a traditional fishing technique where a single fishing line is held in the hands and targets relatively larger-size and deep dwelling tunas. SEG TION 2. Area. The established TCMZ Clusters in the Min~anao-Celebes Sea are bounded by the following coordinates: Cluster Reference Point L 1 1 2 3 2 1 2 3 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 6 1 2 3 7 1 2 3 SECTfON 3. Management. All concerned fishennen groups/alliances/cooperatives/associations, LGUs and BFAR - RFOs 9, 11, 12 ARMM are enjoined to implement this policy. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among BFAR, LG Us and .. beneficiary groups shall fonn the basis of managing the TCMZ. SECTION 4. Prohibition. It shall be unlawful to catch tuna in.the TCMZ area by means of purse seine, ringnet, or other fishing with the use of nets. The allowed fishing gears are handline, troll line arid other hook. and line fishing methods. SECTION 5. Penalty. Pursuant to Section 95 of RA 8550 as amended by RA. 10654, violation of this order upon a summary·:, of administrative, liabmty, the owner, operator, boat captain and master fisherman-of the vessel, or the chief executive offi.cer in a corporation, or the managing partnerin a partnership shall be punished with .confiscation of the catch and fishing gears, and a fine three (3) times th e value of the value indicated ~erow, whichever is h igher: (1) Twe~ty· thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for municipal fishing: Provided, That if the offender falls to pay' ihe fine, he ,I·., shall render community service: ' · r (2) Fifty thousand pesos (PS0,000.00) for small-scale commercial fishi~g;· (3) One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.'00) for medium-scale commercial fishing; and (4) Five hundred thousand pesos (P500, 000.00) for large-scale commercial fishing. Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be pu~ished with imprisonment of two (2) years to six (6) years and fine equivalent to twice the administrative fine, confiscation an~ f?rfeiture of fishing gear and catch. SECTION 6. Effectlvlty. This order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after,lts publication in the Official Gazette and/or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and fifteen {15} days after its registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register. Recommtndtd by: MT - July 13, 20~8 Department of Agriculture BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES PCA Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City DELIVERY FORM Document Tracking Number: TO: ATTY. FLORDELIZA C. VARGAS-TRINIDAD CC: POSITION: Director COMPANY: Office of the National Administrative Registrar ADDRESS: Bocobo Hall, UP Law Cente, Diliman, Quezon City SUBJECT: Filing of Fisheries Administrative Order No. 258 s. 2018 re: "Establishment of Tuna Conservation and Management Zones (TCMZ) in the Mindanao/Celebes Sea" which was published on July 12, 2018 in the Philippine Star and July 13, 2018 on Manila Times. (To be filled up by Records Section) DELIVERED BY: DATE: ~ iJY . U\W G':: N: t:I", OFFICE cf the NATION.~~ ~.OMINISTilATi\'0 "" '.::~" '"'.: A1}m1nfslr~ t1 -1e Hul~s and Rnr:J:?:· --,v~ RECEIVED BY: DATE: ARS-F-03 Rev.No. 00