Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 1173)
The Order establishes regulations and implementing guidelines on group tuna purse seine operations in High Seas Pocket Number 1 as a Special Management Area to ensure conservation and sustainable management in compliance with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission's measures.
HSP-1 is a designated Special Management Area in the high seas, bounded by the EEZs of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, where certain Philippine registered group tuna purse seine vessels have limited fishing access under this Order.
The Order covers 36 Philippine registered traditional group seine fishing vessels granted access to HSP-1 SMA, with gross tonnage not more than 250 GT, holding International Fishing Permits, and listed in the WCPFC record of fishing vessels.
Purse seine nets must have a mesh size of not less than 3.5 inches starting at the mid-body to the entire wing, while ring nets must have a mesh size of not less than 3.5 inches at both wings.
The first offense is penalized with an administrative fine of Php100,000, and the second offense with Php500,000 and revocation of the Special Permit for HSP-1 SMA.
Each group tuna purse seine or ring net operation is limited to deploying no more than 40 FADs per catcher vessel.
Vessels or fishing companies must notify BFAR at least 24 hours prior to entry and no more than 6 hours prior to exiting HSP-1 SMA, providing date, time, and position coordinates.
All catcher vessels and corresponding carrier vessels must have a two-way Automatic Location Communicator (ALC), and their lightboats must have at least a one-way ALC, integrated into the BFAR Vessel Monitoring System.
No, any transfer or replacement of vessels must have prior approval from BFAR and comply with the same conditions; otherwise, the transfer is void and subject to penalties.
The vessel owner shall pay a fine of Php1,000,000 and have all Special Permits for HSP-1 SMA revoked.