FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 3983
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Live fish trade involves the fish trade of both food fish as well as ornamental
fish for aquariums with the majority of these fishes coming from Southeast Asia.

Within the live food trade there are certain types of fish demanded more often
by consumers, particularly smaller and medium-sized fish. According to the book
While Stocks Last: The Live Reef Food Fish Trade consumer demand has caused
the fish captured on coral reefs to be the most valued fish in the trade.

Consumers are important because they are directly purchasing these fish
species at restaurants and stores. These preferences inevitably affect the
biodiversity of marine life making certain fish species rarer to find.

The live fish food trade is lucrative businesses which leads some fishermen to
use illegal fishing methods and as is often the case, consumers are willing to pay
large amounts of money on rare and fresh fish.

iliegal live fish trade in the country is reaching alarming levels. The trade of
live reef fish in the country goes on unabated and at the raie it’s going, critical coral
reefs particularly in the Palawan area will soon be gone due to dynamite and cyanide
fishing, threatening the sanctity of these endangered areas. It is estimated that since
the 1960s, more than one million kilograms of cyanide has been squirted into
Philippine reefs alone with the live fish trade continuously growing. In 1994, the
Philippines exported 200,000 kg of live fish; by 2004 the Philippines were annually
exporting 800,000 kg.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly requested.

Brgy

RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ

/
max.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 3982

AN ACT
BANNING THE USE OF CYANIDE, DYNAMITE AND ALL FORMS OF ILLEGAL
FISHING TECHNIQUES IN THE LIVE FISH TRADE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy — It is the policy of the State to protect and
advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with
the rhythm and harmony of nature.

SEC. 2. Live fish trade includes the act of fishermen of using cyanide, dynamite or
‘other forms of illegal fishing in catching fish alive in order to trade or sel! them in the
international and local markets.

SEC. 3. it is hereby prohibited for fishermen and all other individuals and
corporations to engage in live fish trade using cyanide dynamite and other forms of
illegal fishing techniques.

SEC. 4. Penal Provisions - Any person, whether juridical or natural, caught engaging
in live fish trade using cyanide dynamite and other forms of illegal fishing techniques.
shail be held liable to pay a fine of not less than Five hundred Thousand Pesos
(P500,000) nor more than One Million Pesos (P 1,000,000) and imprisonment of not
less than five (5) years nor more than ten (10) years.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules — The Department of Agriculture, thru the Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources shall issue such orders, rules and regulations and

other issuances as may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of this
Act

SEC. 6. Separability Clause — If for any reason, any part of or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect


SEC. 7. Repealing Clause — Any law, executive order, letter of instruction, rules and
regulations, circulars, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with any of the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,