t 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
S E N A T E  
S. No. 56 
J 
/ 
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmefia 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The country's fisherfolk face the enormous challenges of management 
and conservation of the fishery resources in the face of a critically degraded 
marine environment. Government and fishing communities should therefore act 
jointly as resource managers sharing a genuine concern and responsibility for the 
protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the fragile coastal zone and for 
ensuring the sustainability of the fishery resources. 
Seaweeds and seashells are two of the important coastal resources which 
serve as food and shelter of fish and other marine organisms. The depletion of 
our seafood resources affects our fishery production. In addition, the collection 
and export of fresh seaweed seedlings and live seashells result in the loss of 
genetic materials needed to replenish depleted areas of the country. The loss of 
our natural stock would also prevent our local scientists from determining other 
important uses of the seaweeds and seashells. 
Many species of mollusks 
(shells) have already been over-harvested, and it is imperative to preserve what 
is left. 
Seaweed and seashell farming have also become the alternative source 
of income of the people in the rural areas. It is noteworthy to mention that one of 
its key contributions to the community is the apparent reduction in the use of 
blast and cyanide fishing, and the relative peace and order situation in these 
areas. As the industries of seaweed and seashell grow and expand, so are the 
number of farmers and families involved in seaweed and seashell farming, and 
the direct employment that will be generated. Allied and support (both backward 
and forward linkages) industries such as shipping, hauling, trucking, and plastic 
manufacturers shall also correspondingly increase. 


In order to ensure the availability of seaweeds and seashells resources 
and the development of the local industries utilizing them, it is therefore 
necessary to protect, conserve and rehabilitate these resources in all parts of the 
country. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
c 
I 
k 
SERGIO OSMENA 111 
Senator 


.. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
OF THE PHILIPPINE 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
AN ACT 
TO PROTECT, CONSERVE AND REHABILITATE THE SEAWEEDS AND 
SEASHELLS RESOURCES IN ANY FORM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. 
Title- This Act shall be known as the ‘Seaweeds and 
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Seashells Protection, Rehabilitation and Conservation Act of 2004.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
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State to protect and promote the rehabilitation and conservation of aquatic 
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resources particularly seaweeds and seashells and regulate the exploitation and 
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utilization thereof. 
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SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms 
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shall mean: 
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(a) Conservation- the complete preservation or limited harvesting of 
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seaweeds and seashells in such a way as not to adversely affect the sustained 
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productivity of marine eco-systems; 
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(b) Rehabilitation- the propagation/multiplication of new varieties (product 
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of research) restocking depleted areas of the country 
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(c) Exploitation- the actual extraction, gathering and collection of 
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seaweeds and seashells; 


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(d) Utilization- all operations involved in the manufacture, processing or 
conversion of raw seaweeds and seashells into finished products. 
SEC. 4. lmplementing Agency. - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic 
Resources under the Department of Agriculture shall be the implementing 
agency tasked with the following functions, powers and responsibilities: 
(a) Preparation of a National Program o Seaweeds and Seashells 
Protection, Conservation, Rehabilitation, Exploitation and Utilization which shall 
set priorities based on the severity of the degradation in various parts of the 
country and shall consist of, but not limited to, research and development, 
preservation of the remaining stock, regulation and harvesting restocking of 
depleted areas and proper management of the endangered species of seashells; 
(b) Coordination with such departments, bureaus, and other government 
agencies, including local government units (LGUs) and non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs), as may be necessary in the preparation and 
implementation of the Program; 
(c) Submission of recommendation to the President for the adoption of 
such measures requiring urgent attention and the enactment of such laws as 
may be necessary to more effectively carry out this Act. 
SEC. 
5. 
lmplementing Rules and Regulafions. - The Bureau of 
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Department of Environment and Natural 
Resources and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, in 
coordination with all related government agencies, especially local government 
units and fisherfolk organizations and other NGOs, the Philippine National Police 
and the Philippine Coast Guard, shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Prohibitions and Penalfies. - Any person or entity causing 
destruction, in any manner, of the habitat, natural or otherwise of the seaweeds 
and/or seashells and of any stocks therein shall, upon conviction, be punished by 
imprisonment of not less than sixty (60) days nor more than six (6) years of a fine 


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of not less than (P6,000.00), or both at the discretion of the court. Likewise, any 
person or entity gathering, harvesting or collecting young or immature seaweeds 
and/or seashells which will lead to the total depletion of the seaweeds and/or 
seashells stocks shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment of not less 
than thirty (30) days nor more than three (3) years and a fine of not less than 
Three thousand pesos (P3,OOO.OO) or both at the discretion of the court: 
Provided, That if the conviction is against an entity, the penalty of imprisonment 
shall be imposed upon the head of said entity: Provided, further, That the penalty 
herein prescribed shall be without prejudice to the confiscation by the 
Government of the seaweeds and/or seashells illegally gathered together with 
the vessel and the gear or paraphernalia used therein. 
SEC. 7. Appropriations.- The amount necessary for the implementation 
of this Act shall be charged to the annual appropriations of the Department of 
Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources which 
shall set aside such sums as may be necessary for its continued implementation. 
SEC. 8. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the. remaining provisions hereof shall not be affected 
thereby. 
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation 
Approved,