Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 1535)
It is unlawful for any person to knowingly possess, sell, or distribute fish or other aquatic animals that have been stupefied, disabled, or killed by means of dynamite, explosives, or toxic substances.
Any fisherman who possesses, sells, or distributes stupefied, disabled, or killed fish or aquatic animals is presumed prima facie to have knowledge of the fact.
A fine of not less than 100 pesos nor more than 500 pesos, or imprisonment from one month to six months, or both, at the court's discretion.
A fine of not less than 200 pesos nor more than 1,000 pesos, or imprisonment from two months to one year, or both, at the court's discretion.
They shall be punished under the penalties prescribed in section two unless they denounce the vendor or giver to the authorities before apprehension, in which case they are exempted from criminal liability.
They shall be subject to the penalty under subsection (a) of section two, regardless of the total value of the fish or aquatic animals involved.
Policemen, peace officers, authorized agents of the Bureau of Fisheries, sanitary inspectors, Bureau of Health employees, and any person in authority must take necessary steps to investigate and prosecute violations.
They shall be removed or suspended from office and punished under section two as co-principal in the commission of the crime.
They may take not more than one kilo of fish or aquatic animals believed to be stupefied or killed by illegal means, issue a receipt indicating kind, quality, and market value.
The owner must be paid the value of the samples taken, borne by the government agency employing the officer.
A fine of not exceeding 500 pesos, or imprisonment of up to six months, or both, at the court's discretion.
The Act took effect upon its approval on June 16, 1956.