Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE!
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session REGISTRATION UNIT

BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE
House Bill No._2444

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ARTHUR C. YAP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fine mesh nets are networks of fabric of cords or threads creating
small and fine open spaces surrounding them for the purpose of catching or
entrapping fish and other water creatures. Under Republic Act No. 8550,
otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code, the use of fine mesh nets
is prohibited, except certain sizes that are allowed and prescribed by the
Department of Agriculture as provided for in the law. The reason for the
prohibition is that fine mesh nets capture even small fries that are not yet
harvestable and thus contribute to the dwindling population of many species
of fish.

While RA 8550 provides for exceptions as to sizes that may be
prescribed by the Department, it has been observed that such authorized
sizes when used doubly or tripled as in the case of trammel net set-ups and
similar types of fishing operations produce the same results as those of the
prohibited fine mesh nets, that is the unnecessary capture of small fries and
fingerlings.

Thus, this bill seeks to prohibit the use of otherwise allowed sizes of
fine mesh nets when used in trammel net set-ups and similar contraptions.
The purpose is to prevent the wastage of fingerlings and fries caught and
thus ensure the sustainability and growth of our aquatic resources.

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate passage of this bill,
previously filed as House Bill No. 203 by the undersigned, is earnestly
sought.

Represéntative



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2444

Introduced byREPRESENTATIVE ARTHUR C. YAP

AN ACT

PROHIBITING THE USE OF FINE MESH NETS IN
TRAMMEL NET SET-UP AND OTHER SIMILAR
FISHING OPERATIONS, PROVIDING PENALTIES
THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTIONS 4 AND 89 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8550,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS_~ THE PHILIPPINE
FISHERIES CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
inCongress assembled.

SECTION 1. Amendment of Section 4 of the Fisheries Code.
Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as the Fisheries Code
of the Philippines, is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Code, the
following terms and phrases shall mean as follows:

XXXX,

73) TRAMMEL NET - A NET MADE OF A MIDDLE

LAYER OF FINE MESH AND TWO OUTER LAYERS

COARSE MESH SO ARRANGED THAT FISH PASSING

IN EITHER DIRECTION CARRY SOME OF THE FINE


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NET THROUGH THE COARSE AND ARE THUS

CAPTURED.

XXX

SECTION 2. Amendment of Section 89 of the Fisheries Code. -
Section 89 of Republic Act No. 8550 is hereby amended to read as follows :

SECTION 89. Use of Fine Mesh Net. - It shall be unlawful to

engage in fishing using nets with mesh smaller than that with

which may be fixed by the Department: Provided, THAT

PRESCRIBED FINE MESH NET SIZES WHEN USED IN

TRAMMEL NET SET-UP AND SIMILAR TYPES OF

FISHING OPERATIONS ARE , PROHIBITED:

PROVIDED FURTHER, that the prohibition on the use of fine

mesh net shall not apply to the gathering of fry, glass eels,

elvers, tabios, and alamang and such species which by their

nature are small but already mature to be identified in the

implementing rules and regulations by the Department.

XXX

SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of
Agriculture, in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any of the provisions of this is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions hereof

not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.


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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, and issuances, or parts thereof,
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED.