Question & AnswerQ&A (BFAR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 172)
The order aims to protect and conserve the fisheries and aquatic resources in Polillo Strait and a portion of Lamon Bay, Quezon Province by establishing a five-year closed season on commercial fishing boats and the employment of hulbot-hulbot.
It refers to the marine waters bounded by specific coordinates starting at Deseada Point and including several points of interest such as Bulubalic Point, Kalongkooan Island, and the eastside tip of Jomalig Island, covering approximately 300,037 hectares.
Hulbot-hulbot refers to a conical net with a pair of wings attached to ropes with hard plastic strips or similar materials as scaring devices, hauled by ropes passing through a metallic ring attached to a tom weight known as 'linggote'.
It applies to commercial fishing boats using any fishing gear and municipal and commercial fishing boats employing hulbot-hulbot operating within the defined marine waters during the five-year closed season.
Yes, the Secretary of Agriculture may suspend, lift, or terminate the closed season earlier upon the recommendation of the Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources based on scientific studies and proper monitoring, assessment, and evaluation.
Violators are subject to fines ranging from P500.00 to P5,000.00 or imprisonment from six months to four years, or both, at the court's discretion. Additionally, the Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources may impose an administrative fine of up to P5,000.00 including confiscation of the fish caught, gear, and paraphernalia.
The Director of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has this power under the order.
This order is promulgated pursuant to sections 3(9b), 4, and 7 of Presidential Decree No. 704, as amended, and Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 1015.
All existing administrative orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with this order are repealed or modified accordingly.
It took effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette and/or two newspapers of general circulation.