Question & AnswerQ&A (BFAR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 194, S. 1998)
The purpose is to implement a moratorium on commercial fishing vessels in Lingayen Gulf to address overfishing and conserve fishery resources by suspending issuance of new fishing licenses and regulating existing fishing operations.
Commercial fishing is classified into small-scale (vessels 3.1 GT up to 20 GT), medium-scale (vessels 20.1 GT up to 150 GT), and large-scale (vessels over 150 GT) based on the size of the vessel and gear used.
A moratorium is a legally authorized period of delay, suspension, or temporary ban on the issuance of licenses for commercial fishing vessels in specific areas to prevent overfishing and for conservation purposes.
The primary gears targeted are trawl and Danish seine fishing vessels due to their contribution to overfishing and habitat destruction.
The gulf waters can only accommodate about 15-20 commercial fishing boats.
Violators are subject to a fine ranging from Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) to Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00), cancellation of their license, or both.
Yes, the Bureau may allow operation of these vessels to government or private institutions for research, experimental, educational, and scientific purposes under conditions set by the Director.
LGUs, with the assistance of the Lingayen Gulf Coastal Area Management Commission and BFAR, are enjoined to support the formulation of unified municipal fisheries ordinances to prohibit commercial fishing in municipal waters.
It took effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette and/or in two newspapers of general circulation.