NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1193
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RECEIVED 0^
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
REGULATING THE CATCHING, SALE, PURCHASE, POSSESSION, 
TRANSPORTATION, IMPORTATION, AND EXPORTATION OF ALL SHARKS, 
RAYS, AND CHIMAERAS AND ANY PART THEREOF IN THE COUNTRY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Situated at the apex of the Coral Triangle, the Philippines is part of the global 
center of marine biodiversity. With over 200 species of sharks and rays in the Philippines, 
our country plays a crucial role in conserving these ecologically and economically 
important marine species.
Despite the lack of understanding on the sharks' various roles in ecosystems, it is 
clear that they are key players in structuring food webs, whether they are at the top of 
the food chain or at lower trophic levels. Sharks are typically depicted as apex predators 
that have significant top-down effects on food webs. They help keep prey populations 
healthy by feeding on weak, sick, or old fishes, and prevent overgrazing of critical marine 
habitats.
Therefore, the removal of sharks from an ecosystem has the potential to create 
significant changes to predator-prey interactions, affecting the whole system. Aside from 
ecological benefits, sharks and rays have also been proven to boost local economies 
through sustainable tourism activities, and through fisheries in many developing 
countries.
Due to their unique life history traits, sharks and their relatives reproduces slowly, 
making them particularly vulnerable to threats from targeted fisheries, overfishing, 
bycatch, pollution, unregulated tourism, and climate change. Declined populations will 
find it hard to recover without special conservation attention.
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This bill supports the country's commitment to international obligations, such as 
the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on the International Trade in 
Endangered Species, and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species, 
among others. It is also aligned with the 2020 Conservation Roadmap for Sharks and 
Rays in the Philippines and the National Plan of Action for the Conservation and 
Management of Sharks in the Philippines.
This bill aims to find the intersection between management and utilization in the 
hopes of finding the balance between human needs and the integrity of the Philippine 
marine ecosystem. The conservation of sharks, management of their threats, and creation 
of shark sanctuaries through this bill will serve as an example that can be replicated with 
other fisheries and wildlife conservation issues in the country.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
RISA HONTIVEROS u 
Senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1193
s>msfr
of tijc £■ ccretarp
*22 AUG 16 P3 59
RECEIVED BV;
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
REGULATING THE CATCHING, SALE, PURCHASE, POSSESSION, 
TRANSPORTATION, IMPORTATION, AND EXPORTATION OF ALL SHARKS, 
RAYS, AND CHIMAERAS AND ANY PART THEREOF IN THE COUNTRY
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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CHAPTER I
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Shark Conservation Act of
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the Philippines."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -It is hereby declared the policies of the State to:
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a) protect environmental rights of the people, promote conservation and
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ensure sustainable and equitable utilization of its coastal areas, habitats
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and species, including sharks, in conformity with the Constitution; the
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Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, as amended by Republic Act 10654; and
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the National Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act;
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b) ensure, for the benefit and enjoyment of the Filipino people, the judicious
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and wise utilization, protection, conservation and management on a
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sustainable basis of its coastal and fishery resources with the necessity of
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maintaining a sound ecological balance and protecting and enhancing the
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quality of the environment;
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c) protect the rights of the small and marginal fishers in the preferential use
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of communal coastal and fishery resources;
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d) allow people's full and active participation in the conservation and
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management of the coastal and fishery resources and promote awareness
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of sustainable fisheries through appropriate education and training;
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e) Promote and adhere to the precautionary principle of conservation,
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management and exploitation of living coastal and fishery resources in


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order to assure the sustainable development of the coastal environment.
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The absence of adequate scientific and technical information should not be
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used as a reason for postponing or failing to take conservation and
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management measures; and
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f) Promote ecosystem-based fisheries management.
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Sec. 3. Scope of Application. - The provisions of this Act shall be enforceable for
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all Philippine waters including other waters over which the Philippines has sovereignty
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and jurisdiction, and the country's 200 - nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and
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continental shelf, including protected areas under Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise
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known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act; critical habitats;
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and all Philippine flagged fishing vessels operating in areas governed by a Regional
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Fisheries Management Organization, in the high seas, or in waters of other coastal states.
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Sec. 4. Jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. The Department of
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Agriculture (DA) shall have jurisdiction over sharks, rays, and chimaeras, and all declared
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aquatic habitats. In the Province of Palawan, jurisdiction herein conferred is vested to the
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Palawan Council for Sustainable Development pursuant to Republic Act No. 7611.
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The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture (DA­
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BFAR) shall be the lead agency in the implementation of this Act. The Department of
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Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the
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Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, other law enforcement agencies,
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and Local Government Units (LGUs) shall likewise assist in the implementation of this Act.
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The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall provide the necessary assistance to the DA-BFAR
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and the LGUs in identifying shark ecotourism sites and declare the same as protected.
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CHAPTER II
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DEFINITION OF TERMS
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Sec. 5. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
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hereby defined:
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a) "Bycatch" means the incidental take of undesirable size or age classes of
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the target species, or the incidental take of other non-target species or
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protected, endangered, or threatened species.
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b) "By-product or derivatives" means any part taken or substance extracted
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from sharks, in raw or in processed form. This includes, but are not limited
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to, preserved sharks (curios), cartilage, gill rakers, fins, oil, skin, and teeth;
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c) "Corridor" means an artificial or natural avenue where which wide-ranging
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animals can travel, plants can propagate, genetic interchange can occur.


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populations can move in response to environmental changes and natural 
disasters, and threatened species can be replenished from other areas. 
Marine corridors encompass mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds;
d) "Critical Habitat" means a place or environment that contains physical or 
biological features essential to its conservation;
e) "Dedicated tourism interaction site" means well-defined areas for marine 
wildlife tourism, either managed as a sanctuary/reserve/protected area or 
not, focused on a particular species or several species, with specified 
operating times;
f) "Discarded bycatch" means non-target species that are discarded at sea;
g) "Disturbance" means any intentional and unintentional acts that shall 
disrupt the natural cycle and activities of marine wildlife for the short or 
long-term without necessarily causing any physical injury to the same such 
as but is not limited to acts producing noise, pollution, degradation of 
habitat, blockage of movement, displacement, and the like;
h) "Endangered Rare and/or Threatened Shark Species" means species In 
danger of extinction as provided for in existing Philippine laws and/or the 
International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Species;
i) "Finning" means the practice of removing and retaining shark fins;
j) "Full Utilization" means use or consumption of the entire animal;
k) "Habitat" means place or environment where species or subspecies 
naturally occurs or has naturally established its population;
l) "Harassment" means an intentional or negligent act or omission which 
creates the likelihood of injury by annoying it to such an extent as to 
significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns which include, but are not 
limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering;
m) "Non-dedicated Tourism Interaction Site" means opportunistic, accidental 
or unintentional interaction with marine wildlife in tourism and non-tourism 
sites;
n) "Non-detriment Finding" (NDF) means a science-based risk assessment 
where the vulnerability of a species is considered in relation to how well it 
is managed;
o) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture;
p) "Shark" means cartilaginous fishes belonging to the class Chondrichthyes, 
which includes true sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras;


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q) "Shark Sanctuary" means a designated area where sharks cannot be 
caught;
r) "Traceability" means the ability to trace and follow food or a substance 
intended to be or expected to be incorporated into a food or product 
through all stages of fishing, production, processing and distribution;
s) "Trade" means the act of engaging in the exchange, exportation, 
importation, re-exportation, purchase or sale of sharks, their derivatives or 
by-products, locally or internationally;
t) "Utilized bycatch" means non-target species that are traded or consumed, 
in part or whole.
CHAPTER III
CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF SHARKS, RAYS, AND CHIMAERAS
ARTICLE I 
General Provisions
Sec. 6. Information Systems, Interaction, Reiease and Possession of By-Products 
and Derivatives, and By-Catch
a) Wildlife Information, All activities, as subsequently manifested under this 
Chapter, shall be authorized by the Secretary upon proper evaluation of 
best available information or scientific data showing that the activity is, or 
for a purpose, not detrimental to the survival of the species or subspecies 
involved and/or their habitat. For this purpose, the Secretary shall regularly 
update wildlife information through research.
b) Sharks in Captivity. No person or entity shall be allowed possession of 
sharks unless such person or entity can prove financial and technical 
capability and facility to maintain said species: Provided, That the source 
was not obtained in violation of this Act, and the source of stock is verifiable 
to monitor mortality. The DA-BFAR will develop husbandry and holding tank 
standards as well as a permitting system for the keeping of sharks in 
captivity.
c) Swim with Captive Shark Programs. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after 
the effectivity of this Act, shall develop human-shark interaction guidelines 
in captivity.
d) Tourism Interaction. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after the effectivity 
of this Act, shall develop human-shark interaction guidelines in the wild.


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e) Research Interaction. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after the effectivity
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of this Act, shall develop research and researcher interaction guidelines for
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studies focusing on sharks.
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f) Non-Detriment Findings (NDF). The DA-BFAR, within three (3) years after
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the effectivity of this Act, shall determine the NDF for targeted and
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incidentally caught shark species.
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g) Coiiection and/or Possession of By-Products and Derivatives. The collection
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and possession of species shall only be allowed when the results of the
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NDF show that, despite certain extent of collection, the population of such
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species can still remain viable and capable of recovering its numbers. For
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this purpose, the DA-BFAR shall establish a schedule and volume of
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allowable harvests.
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h) Handling and Release Practices. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after the
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effectivity of this Act, shall develop acceptable handling and release
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guidelines from fisheries for all types of protected and/or unwanted sharks
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based on the best available science and safe release experience.
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i) Bycatch reduction measures and reporting mechanisms. The DA-BFAR,
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within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, shall provide technical
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and financial assistance on research for gear restriction, and identify
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modified fishing gears to reduce shark bycatch mortality, which may include
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bait restrictions, use of different fishing hooks, varying hook depth, use of
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repellents, reducing soak time, and reducing number of hooks. The DA-
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BFAR shall also develop a standard reporting system for sharks that are
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bycatch.
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j) Release and Reporting of Bycatch. Live sharks that have not been assessed
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through the NDF shall be immediately released unharmed to the sea. Dead
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sharks shall be handed over to the DA-BFAR for proper documentation and
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disposal. Any incident must be reported to the competent authority using
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the standard reporting system.
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ARTICLE II
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Protection of Vulnerable, Threatened, Endangered, and Critically Endangered
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Shark Species
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Sec. 7. Determination of Threatened Species, Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically
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Endangered Species. - The DA-BFAR, within two (2) years after the effectivity of this Act,
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shall determine whether shark species or subspecies of a population or subpopulation is


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threatened (vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered) based on available
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scientific data and with due regard to internationally accepted criteria, such as the
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International Union for Conservation of Nature (lUCN). Criteria include but are not limited
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to the following:
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a) present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its
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habitat or range;
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b) over-utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational
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purposes;
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c) inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and
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d) other natural or man-made factors affecting the existence of sharks.
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The DA-BFAR shall review, revise and publish the list of categorized threatened sharks
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within two (2) years after effectivity of this Act. Thereafter, the list shall be updated
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regularly or as the need arises. Provided, that a species listed as vulnerable threatened
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shall not be removed there from within three (3) years following its initial listing.
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Upon filing of a petition based on substantial scientific information of any person seeking
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for the addition or deletion of a species from the list, the DA-BFAR shall evaluate in
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accordance with the relevant factors stated in the first paragraph of this section, the
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status of the species concerned, and act on said petition within a reasonable period.
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The DA-BFAR shall also prepare and publish a list of sharks which resembles so closely in
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appearance with listed threatened wildlife, which species shall likewise be categorized as
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threatened.
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ARTICLE III
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Commercial and Municipal Fisheries
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Sec. 8. Identification of Critical Habitats, Reference Points, Limits, and Seasons.
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a) Identification of Criticai Habitats. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after
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the effectivity of this Act, shall identify critical habitats for sharks and
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establish these as shark sanctuaries.
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b) Deveiopment of Target Reference Points (TRP) and Limit Reference Points
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(LRP). The DA-BFAR shall, within three (3) years from the effectivity of this
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Act, determine TRP and LRP based on the results of national stock
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assessments and the precautionary principle.
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c) Size Limitations. The DA-BFAR shall, within one (1) year from the effectivity
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of this Act, determine the size limits for sharks.


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d) Catch Ceiling Limitations. The DA-BFAR may prescribe limitations or quota
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on the total quantity of sharks captured, for a specified period of time and
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specified area based on the best available evidence, harvest strategies, and
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target limits. Catch ceilings may be established upon the concurrence and
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approval or recommendation of such special agency and the concerned
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LGU In consultation with the Fisheries Aquatic and Resource Management
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Council (FARMC) for conservation or ecological purposes.
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e) Establishment of Closed Season. The Secretary may declare, through public
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notice in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in public
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service announcements, whichever is applicable, at least five (5) days
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before the declaration, a closed season in any or all Philippine waters
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outside the boundary of municipal waters and in bays, for conservation and
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ecological purposes. Provided, however, that this shall be done only upon
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the concurrence and approval or recommendation of such special agency
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and the concerned LGU and FARMC: Provided, further. That in municipal
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waters, fishery management areas and other areas reserved for the use of
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the municipal fisherfolk, closed season may be established by the
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concerned LGU in consultation with the FARMC for conservation or
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ecological purposes. The FARMCs may also recommend the establishment
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of closed seasons in municipal waters, fisheries management and other
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areas reserved for the use of the municipal fisherfolk.
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f) Support to Fisherfolk. - The Department and LGUs shall provide support to
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commercial and municipal fisherfolk through appropriate technology and
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research, credit, production and marketing assistance and other services
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such as, but not limited to training for additional/supplementary livelihood.
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ARTICLE IV
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Traceability
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Sec. 9. System, Labeling, and Identification. All business operators identified in the
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supply chain of shark trading and utilization shall cooperate with the DA-BFAR in carrying
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out official controls, and shall have responsibilities including but not limited to the
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following:
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a) Implementation of traceability system. Business operators must operate
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traceability procedures for ingredients, raw materials at all stages of
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production, processing, transport, storage and distribution, and be able to


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(i) identify any person or business operator that has supplied them with
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the species; (ii) identify any person or business to which they have supplied
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their products; (ili) the products that were supplied including quantity or
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volume, site of fishing grounds, specie, and fishing gear used; and (iv)
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make this information available to DA-BFAR and their consumers.
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b) Labeling or identification. Business operators must ensure that their
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products are adequately labeled or otherwise identified through relevant
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documentation. They must also comply with the labelling requirements of
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the country destination.
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CHAPTER IV
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ILLEGAL ACTS
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Sec. 10. Illegal Acts. - Unless otherwise allowed In accordance with this Act, it shall
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be unlawful for any person to willfully and knowingly exploit sharks and their habitats, or
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undertake the following acts:
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a) killing, taking, keeping captive, and trading vulnerable, threatened,
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endangered, or critically endangered species, except in the following
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instances;
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a. when it is done as part of the rituals of established tribal groups or
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indigenous cultural communities;
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b. when the shark is afflicted with an incurable communicable
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disease;
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c. when it is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered
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by the shark;
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d. when the shark is killed or destroyed after it has been used in
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authorized research or experiments.
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b) inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of
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sharks;
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c) harassing sharks;
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d) disturbing sharks and their habitats;
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e) effecting any of the following acts in critical habitat(s):
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a. dumping of waste products detrimental to sharks;
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b. squatting or otherwise occupying any portion of the critical habitat;
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c. mineral exploration and/or extraction;
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f) introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without permits;
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g) finning;
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Act:
h) collecting, hunting, possessing, importing, exporting, or re-exporting 
sharks, their by-products and derivatives without the result of the NDF 
and full traceability at all stages, from collection to production, processing, 
transport, storage, and distribution;
i) falsely advertising or mislabeling any product, which could mislead 
consumers;
j) obstruction of corridors; and
k) use of shark wires.
CHAPTER V
FINES AND PENALTIES
Sec. 11. The following fines and penalties shall be imposed for violations of this
a) killing, taking, keeping in captivity, inflicting injury, harrassing, and trading 
vulnerable, threatened, endangered, or critically endangered species:
a. imprisonment of two (2) years and one (1) day to four (4) years 
and/or a fine of Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) to Three 
hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) per animal if inflicted or 
undertaken against vulnerable species;
b. imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years 
and/or a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Two 
hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) per animal if inflicted or 
undertaken against other threatened species;
c. imprisonment of four (4) and one (1) day to six (6) years and/or a 
fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Five hundred thousand 
pesos (P500,000.00) per animal if inflicted or undertaken against 
endangered species; and
d. imprisonment of a minimum of six (6) years and one (1) day to 
twelve (12) years and/or a fine of One hundred thousand pesos 
(P100,000.00) to One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) per animal if 
inflicted or undertaken against species listed as critically 
endangered.
b) inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of 
sharks: imprisonment of one (1) month to six (6) months and/or a fine of


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Five thousand pesos (P5/000.00) to Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00)/ 
if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.
c) harassing sharks: imprisonment of one (1) month to six (6) months and/or 
a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty thousand pesos 
(P20,000.00)/ if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.
d) disturbing sharks and their habitats: imprisonment of one (1) month to six 
(6) months and/or a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5/000.00) to Twenty 
thousand pesos (P20/000.00)/ if inflicted or undertaken against other 
wildlife species.
e) effecting acts in critical habitat(s): For illegal acts under paragraph (e) of 
the preceding section, the following penalties and/or fines shall be 
imposed: an imprisonment of one (1) month to eight (8) years and/or a 
fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Five million pesos 
(P5,000/000.00) shall be imposed.
f) introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without permits: 
an imprisonment of one (1) month to eight (8) years and/or a fine of Five 
thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) shall be 
imposed.
g) finning;
Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the owner, 
operator, boat captain and master fisherman of the vessel, or the 
chief executive officer in a corporation, or the managing partner in a 
partnership shall be punished with confiscation of the catch and 
fishing gears, and a fine three (3) times the value of the catch or the 
value Indicated below, whichever is higher:
(1) Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for municipal fishing: 
Provided, That if the offender fails to pay the fine, he shall render 
community service;
(2) Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for small- scale commercial 
fishing;
(3) One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for medium- scale 
commercial fishing; and
(4) Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) for large- scale 
commercial fishing.
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished 
with imprisonment of two (2) years to six (6) years and fine
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equivalent to twice the administrative fine, confiscation and forfeiture 
of fishing gear and catch.
h) collecting, hunting, possessing, importing, exporting, or re-exporting 
sharks, their by-products and derivatives without the result of the NDF and 
full traceability at all stages, from collection to production, processing, 
transport, storage, and distribution
Failure on the part of the shipping or forwarding company from 
whose possession the fish or fishery species imported or exported 
are discovered or seized to fully cooperate in the investigation 
conducted by concerned government authorities shall create a 
presumption that there is connivance or conspiracy between the 
shipping company and the shipper to perpetrate the aforementioned 
offense.
Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall 
be punished with an administrative fine of five (5) times the value of 
the species or Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) to Five 
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), whichever is higher, and 
forfeiture and/or destruction of the species.
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished 
with eight (8) years of imprisonment and fine of twice the 
administrative fine, forfeiture and/or destruction of the species: 
Provided, That offenders shall be banned from being members or 
stockholders of companies currently engaged in fisheries or 
companies to be created in the future, the guidelines for which shall 
be promulgated by the Department.
i) falsely advertising or mislabeling any product, which could mislead 
consumers;
Failure on the part of the shipping or forwarding company from 
whose possession the fish or fishery species imported or exported 
are discovered or seized to fully cooperate in the investigation 
conducted by concerned government authorities shall create a 
presumption that there is connivance or conspiracy between the 
shipping company and the shipper to perpetrate the aforementioned 
offense.
Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall 
be punished with an administrative fine of five (5) times the value of
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the species or Three hundred thousand pesos (P300/000.00) to Five 
hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), whichever is higher, and 
forfeiture and/or destruction of the species.
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished 
with eight (8) years of imprisonment and fine of twice the 
administrative fine, forfeiture and/or destruction of the species: 
Provided, That offenders shall be banned from being members or 
stockholders of companies currently engaged in fisheries or 
companies to be created in the future, the guidelines for which shall 
be promulgated by the Department.
j) obstruction of corridors;
Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall 
be punished with an administrative fine of One Hundred Fifty 
Thousand Pesos (P150,000.00) to Five Hundred.
Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), dismantling of the obstruction at the 
expense of the offender, and the suspension or revocation of the 
permit or license.
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished 
with imprisonment of seven (7) years to twelve (12) years and fine 
of twice the amount of the administrative fine, dismantling of the 
obstruction at the expense of the offender, and the suspension or 
revocation of the permit or license.
k) use of shark wires.
Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the owner, 
operator, boat captain and master fisherman of the vessel, or the 
chief executive officer in a corporation, or the managing partner in a 
partnership shall be punished with confiscation of the catch and 
fishing gears, and a fine three (3) times the value of the catch or the 
value indicated below, whichever is higher:
(1) Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for municipal fishing: 
Provided, That if the offender fails to pay the fine, he shall render 
community service;
(2) Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for small- scale commercial 
fishing;
(3) One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for medium- scale 
commercial fishing; and
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(4) Five hundred thousand pesos (P500/000.00) for large- scale
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commercial fishing.
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Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished
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with imprisonment of two (2) years to six (6) years and fine
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equivalent to twice the administrative fine, confiscation and forfeiture
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of fishing gear and catch.
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Sec. 12. Escalation Clause. - The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by at
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least ten percent (10%) every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain
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the deterrent function of such fines.
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CHAPTER VI
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MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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Sec. 13. Flagship Species. - Local government units shall initiate conservation
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measures for endemic and/or economically valuable species in their areas. For this
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purpose, they may adopt flagship species such as the whale shark {Rhincodon typus) or
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thresher shark {Alopiaspelagicus), which shall serve as emblems of conservation for the
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local government concerned.
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Sec. 14. Information and Education.-The BFAR, DENR, DOT, DTI, LGUs, and other
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academic institutions shall undertake a nationwide information and education campaign
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to adequately inform the populace of the value of sharks and rays in the marine
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ecosystem, and of the importance of preserving their respective habitats and feeding
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grounds.
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Sec. 15. Transition Period. - Due to the substantially new requirement imposed by
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this Act, a transition period of three (3) years from its entry into force is provided. During
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the transition period, sharks, their by-products, and derivatives may be sold and traded,
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and stocks that have been produced before the end of the transitional period may
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continue to be sold or exported until exhausted.
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Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within twelve (12) months following
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the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in coordination
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with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, and the Committees
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on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and the Flouse of Representatives,
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respectively, shall promulgate respective rules and regulations for the effective
34 
implementation of this Act. Whenever appropriate, coordination in the preparation and
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implementation of rules and regulations on joint and inseparable issues shall be done by
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the Departments. The commitments of the State to international agreements and
2 
protocols shall likewise be a consideration in the implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 17. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of
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this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Agriculture in
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the current General Appropriations Act. Therefore, such sums as may be necessary to
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fully implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General
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Appropriations Act. The DA-BFAR may also seek financial assistance from any source and
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may receive any donation therefore.
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Sec. 18. Separabiiity Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held
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unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions with the provisions not
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affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
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hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 20. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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