DA Administrative Circular No. 09, Series of 2020 allowing the Transport of Wild Caught Mangrove Crablets and Juvenile Mangrove Crabs (Scylla Spp.) that are already in Stock prior to the Effectivity of Fisheries Administrative Order No. 264, Series of 2020

Repu9lic of the Philippines Department of Agriculture OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Elliptical Road, Diliman Quezon City, 1100 Philippines DA ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO . .E q Series of 2020 SUBJECT: ALLOWING THE TRANSPORT OF WILD CAUGHT MANGROVE CRABLETS AND JUVENILE MANGROVE CRABS (Scylla spp.) THAT ARE ALREADY IN STOCK PRIOR TO THE EFFECTMTY OF FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 264, SERIES OF 2020. Whereas, the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 264, series of 2020, or the "Regulation on the Catching, Possession, Transporting, Selling, Trading and Exporting of Mangrove Crablets, Juvenile Mangrove Crabs and Gravid Mangrove Crabs (Scylla spp.)" was published on April 14, 2020 and took effect 15 days thereafter; Whereas, Section 4(a) ofFAO 264 allows the catching, possession, transporting, selling, trading and exporting of wild-sourced matchbox size crablets which are 5 centimeters carapace width (CW) and bigger for local aquaculture intended for grow-out purposes; Whereas, prior to the effectivity of FAQ 264, collectors and consolidators have been collecting megalopa stage and mangrove crablets which are less that 5 centimeters (CW) for nursery and trading purposes. Such species are still on-hold in their facilities. These remaining/existing inventory stocks need to be shipped-out to nurseries and consolidation areas; Whereas, there is a need to conduct a more intensive campaign for the information of all stakeholders on the new regulation. WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, all wild-sourced mangrove crablets of less than the regulated size of 5cm (CW) that were collected prior to the effectivity of FAO 264 will be allowed to be transported and traded within sixty ( 60) calendar days from the publication of this Circular. Further, to ensure strict compliance of FAO 264 and this Circular, all Regional Fisheries Offices are hereby mandated to verify the inventory of existing stocks of the collectors and consolidators within their jurisdiction. Issued t~is~ day of 4 2020 in Quezon City, Philippines. C'..2,-' G WILLIAM D. DAR, Ph.D. DEPARTMENT OF AG RIC UL TURt. Secretary lililllillfflllHIIIIB!ffl ll!!IWBlll&lllllllll ,r. replying pis cite this codti . For Signature: S-06-20-0274 K.tctn,ed 15/06/2020 03 :57 PM ".:Afoocf-secure 'Pfii[iy pines witfi pros perousfarmers andfisfierfo{li,"