Question & AnswerQ&A (BFAR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 203, S. 2000)
Amuro-amia is a Japanese fishing method used in reef fishing consisting of a movable bagnet, detachable wings, and scarelines with plastic strips and weights, used to capture fish by driving them towards a net while pounding corals, making it destructive to coral reefs.
The local version of amuro-amia is called kayakasa, known locally as bahan, bahig, lukay, lukayan, pukot, singkil, tigsil, lintig or likum-likom. It is smaller and uses bamboo or tree trunks as scaring devices alongside coconut or other leaves to drive fish out of coral reefs, while simultaneously pounding the corals, making it destructive.
Scarelines are ropes with floats at one end and weights at the other, with plastic strips, corn/coconut husks, or other materials tied along them to scare and drive fish towards nets. Their contact and entanglement with corals cause destruction to marine habitats.
A recruiter or organizer is an individual or group who recruits others to work on board fishing boats or those responsible for the protection, security, and employment of the fishers.
Section 2 prohibits fishing in Philippine waters using amuro-amia, kayakasa, or similar methods that are destructive to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other marine habitats.
Violators, including operators, boat captains, masterfishers, or recruiters, face imprisonment from two (2) to ten (10) years or a fine ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 pesos, or both, along with confiscation of the catch and gear used.
Yes, Section 4 states that all orders, rules, regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this order are repealed or modified accordingly.
The order took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette and/or two newspapers of general circulation.
This order was promulgated pursuant to Section 92 of Republic Act No. 8550 (The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998).
The order aims to protect coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other marine habitats from destruction caused by certain fishing methods deemed harmful.