Question & AnswerQ&A (BFAR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 199, S. 2000)
Its main objective is to implement government functions related to fish transshipment activities involving foreign fishing vessels, facilitate processing of necessary documents, and regulate transshipment in designated Philippine fish port complexes.
Foreign Fishing Vessels are defined as fishing vessels registered in countries other than the Philippines.
OSAC is composed of representatives from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Quarantine Office (NQO), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as the lead agency.
They must be accredited by BFAR, secure entry clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) or its designated agency, and notify the Bureau of Immigration (BI) with vessel and crew information.
Required documents include vessel name, registry number, previous names, national flag and port of registry, photo, owner/operator details, radio call sign/frequency, build location, vessel type, fishing methods, vessel dimensions, tonnage, and an accreditation fee of P5,000 per vessel.
Unloading must be witnessed by representatives from BOC, PNP-MG, BFAR, PFDA, and PNP-ASG, and can start only after securing special permits to unload from BOC and BFAR. Transport to airport requires BOC permit and police escort for security.
Violation leads to cancellation of vessel accreditation, loss of right to use Philippine fish ports for transshipment, and prosecution under applicable Philippine laws and regulations.
Vessels must have proper human waste storage/disposal systems, no discharging of garbage or wastes into harbor basin, proper disposal of garbage in containers, no discharge of bilge water or oil, and transshipment agents must ensure cleanliness during fish cleaning. Violations are penalized as per pollution laws enforced by Fish Port management and PCG.
All foreign crew seeking to leave port for provisions or rest must secure a Shore Pass from BI, and BI must provide immigration guarding on board vessels to ensure security. No crew can leave port without these requirements.
Loading fuel requires a bunkering permit from the Bureau of Customs. Loading of other provisions such as baits, water, ice, and food requires prior clearance from OSAC, Fish Port complex, and other concerned government agencies.