Oceana Philippines, an organization focused on ocean conservation, has urged the government to finalize reforms in the fisheries laws to allow the country to meet the deadline for compliance with European Union requirements against illegal and unregulated fishing practices.
“We urge President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to immediately sign the amendments to the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 because this policy reform will be beneficial to all stakeholders, including the municipal and commercial fisheries sub-sectors,” according to a statement signed by 14 non-government organizations (NGO), including Oceana Philippines.
Among the policy reform initiatives of the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), are increased penalties of up to P10 million for violations of fishing laws.
These include encroachment within the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved for small fisherfolk, destruction of habitats such as seagrass and mangroves, and the use of unlicensed gear.
Another important conservation measure in the amended Fisheries Code is the institutionalization of vessel monitoring mechanisms, which will allow law enforcers to easily identify commercial fishing boats that are operating illegally in restricted zones.
“Aside from the obvious fact that our country cannot afford to be banned from exporting fish and fish products to EU, its biggest market, the passage of these long-overdue amendments is essential if we are to prioritize food security and the livelihood of suffering artisanal fisherfok and reverse the undeniable tide of fish stocks depletion happening in our fishing grounds,” said lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice-president of Oceana Philippines.
Oceana believes that the implementation of the amendments is indispensable in achieving the twin goals of sustainable fisheries and healthy oceans for all.”
In June this year, the European Union issued a yellow card to the Philippines for its failure to meet global standards on sustainable fishing practices.
The EU gave the Philippines six months, which expires in December, to institute policy reforms and avoid a fish export ban to the lucrative European market.
2014 ABS-CBN Interactive