Question & AnswerQ&A (BFAR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 198, S. 2000)
A 'Person' refers to natural or juridical entities such as individuals, associations, partnerships, cooperatives, or corporations.
Commercial Fishing is the taking of fishery species by passive or active gear for trade, business, or profit beyond subsistence or sports fishing, classified into small scale, medium scale, and large scale based on vessel gross tonnage.
Small scale: 3.1 to 20 GT; Medium scale: 20.1 to 150 GT; Large scale: more than 150 GT.
The fishing gears to be used must be registered and the corresponding license issued by the Bureau.
Citizens of the Philippines and corporations, partnerships, associations, or cooperatives registered in the Philippines with at least 60% Filipino ownership.
Duly accomplished application, vessel pictures, grid map of proposed fishing grounds, Certificate of Vessel Registry, Certificate of Ownership, Certificate of Inspection, Articles of Incorporation/Business Registration, and fishing logbook registration with fee payment.
The application fee for CFVL is P400.00, registration fee for gear is P200.00; annual license fees vary based on vessel size, and gear license fees are P200, P400, and P600 per year for small, medium, and large scale, respectively.
Before issuance of a license, applicants must post a non-transferable cash bond ranging from P250.00 to P950.00 depending on vessel gross tonnage as a guarantee of good faith.
The license is valid for three years from the date of issuance unless suspended, revoked, terminated, or canceled for cause.
Violation of fishery laws or regulations, non-compliance with license terms, false or fraudulent application statements, or when public interest requires cancellation.
They may be fined an amount equivalent to the value of the catch or P10,000.00 whichever is higher, face six months imprisonment, confiscation of catch and gear, and automatic revocation of the CFVGL.
To record fish catch details, fishing area, quantity, spoilage, landing, and transshipment data, kept for five years and updated within 24 hours after catch.
No, commercial fishing vessels are prohibited from operating in Philippine waters declared as reserved or restricted under existing fishery laws and regulations.
Renewal should be filed within 60 days before expiration with required documents including application forms, valid Certificate of Inspection, fishing logbook reports, certification of no pending cases, annual inspection report, payment receipt, and compliance affidavit.
Notify the Department through BFAR in writing with a copy of the transfer document within 10 days to the new qualified owner.