SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
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S. No. 
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2355 
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I\UG 13 All:5 8 
Introduced by SenatorAntonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
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AN ACT 
REGULATING 
THE 
PRACTICE 
OF 
FISHERIES 
PROFESSION 
IN 
THE 
PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR TIlE PURI'OSE A PROFES..'lfONAL. N.EGULAIORY 
BOARD OF FISHERIES AND APPROPRIA TlNG FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'This measure seeks to professionalize and regulate the practice of fisheries professionals and 
upgrade the standard of fisheries education in the country through the licensure examination 
being administered by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC). This intent is provided 
for in Republic Act 8550 (Fisheries Code of 1998) and Republic Act 8435 (Agriculture and 
Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997) - that, it is the policy of the state to provide priority 
attention and support to professionalize the practice of fisheries profession in the Philippines 
which will be beneficial to sustain food security and economic development of the country. and 
to upgrade the standard of fisheries education. Through its licensure examination, the PRC is 
complimenting the effort of the CHED in upgrading the standard of fisheries education. 
The bill provides for the following: the scope of the practice of the fisheries profession; 
mandates continuing professional education and development of fisheries professionals fur 
global competitiveness; provides penal provisions for violation of its mandatory provisions; 
encourages the hiring of licensed fisheries professionals; determines the composition, tenure and 
qU,alifications of the fisheries regulatory board; and empowers the board of fisheries to regulate 
compliance by private and public institutions to the provisions of this Act. 
Throughout the country, candidates for the licensure examination of the PRC come from more 
than 80 fishery schools. These schools vary widely in terms of their resources (faculty and 
facilities), cumcular offerings, and amounts of budget !lUpport from the government. Many 01£ 
these schools started as high schools and were later converted to college. They continued 
offering fisheries courses without upgrading their facilities and employed practically the same 
faculty, many of whom were not trained for college teaching. 
Thus, it is imperative to screen and standardize the quality of fisheries graduates; regulate the 
practice of fisheries profession throughout the country; and prevent the practice of foreign 
professionals without permit. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this hill is earnestly sought. 
~N~:~NESW 
Senator 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regnlar Session 
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SENATE 
S N 
.') ... r:' ,.-
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o'~ud 
Introduced bySenator Antonio "SollllY" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
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AUG 13 
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REGULATING 
THE 
PRACTICE 
OF 
FISHERIES 
PROFESSION 
IN 
THE 
PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY 
BOARD OF FISHERIES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THF.REFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the HOllse of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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ARTICLE I 
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TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, OBJECTIVES AND DEFINITION OF TERMS 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "The Philippine Fisheries 
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Profession Act of2014'~ 
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to provide 
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priority attention and support to professionalize the practice of the fisheries profession in the 
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Philippines, which will be beneficial to sustain food security and economic development of the 
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country, and to upgrade the standards of fisheries education. These policies are provided for in 
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Republic Act 8550 (Fisheries Code of 1998)and Republic Act 8435 (Agriculture and Fisheries 
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Modernization Act of 1997). 
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Pursuant to this national policy, the government shall: (I) provide a program to set up an 
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appropriate and healthy environment to the practice of the fisheries profussion; and (2)establish 
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quality standards for fisheries professionals that will guide fisheries schools I fisheries colleges, 
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through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), for the development of curricular 
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programs that will attain the high standards of the profession, 
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SEC. 3. ObjectiJ·es. - The Act provides for and shall govern: 
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a, the administration and conduct of licensure examination, and registnttion and 
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licensing of fisheries professionals; 
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b. the supervision and regulation of the practice of the fisheries profussion in the 
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Philippines; and 
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c. the upgrading of the fisheries profession and the protessionalization of fisheries 
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professionals. 
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SEC.4,Dejinition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a. Aquaculture - refers to fishery operations involving all forms of farming fish and 
other aquatic plants and animals in fresh, brackish, and marine waters; 
b. Aquatic Resources - shall include fish and other living resources of the aquatic 
environment that have/will have commercial value when utilized; 
c. Board - refers to the Professional Regulatory Board of Fisheries; 
d. Commission - refers to the Professional Regulation Commission; 
e. Fisheries - refers to all activities relating to the science and act or business of fishing, 
culturing, preserving, processing, marketing, developing, conserving and managing of 
aquatic resources and environment; 
f 
Fisheries Sector - refers to the sector engaged in the production, growing, harvesting, 
processing, marketing, developing, conserving and managing of aquatic resources and 
environment; 
g. Fisheries Profession - the practice of the science and technical knowledge and skills 
of all areas of fisheries (catching, fimning, processing, marketing, management, and 
conservation of aquatic resources and environment); 
h. Fisheries Professional- refers to a person who is technically qualified and competent 
to practice the fisheries profession and who has been issued a certificate of 
registration and professional identification card as fisheries professional by the Board 
and the Commission; 
i. 
Accredited Professional Organization (APO) - refers to an integrated nation~ 
organization, association, or society that is granted accreditation by the Board and the 
Commission as the Accredited Professional Organization of Fisheries Professionals; 
and 
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Scope of Examination - refers to the range of topics or subjects provided by the 
Board in the syllabi of the fonr areas of scope of examination fur fisheries 
professionals in Section 9 (m) and 15 of this Act. 
SEC.S.8cope and Practice of the Fisheries Prafes.rion. - The scope and practice of the 
fisheries profession is the application of the fundamental and known principles of fishelies to 
the peculiar conditions and requirements of fisheries as an industry and as a field of science and 
shall include, but not be limited to the following: 
a. Consultation, evaluation, investigation and management services in fisheries; 
b. Preparation of fisheries designs, plans, specifications, project feasibility studies and 
estimates, and the supervision and other management services in the construction, 
installation, operation and maintenance of fishing vessels, farm and facilities, post-
harvest equipment and facilities and other fisheries facilities, systems and 
technologies. in collaboration with other disciplines when needed; 
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c. Conduct of research and development, training and extension work in fisheries, 
aquatic resource, aquaculture and post-harvest technologies; 
d. Management of fisheries resources and manufacture of fishery products, and/or 
marketing of fish and fishery products; 
e. Teaching fisheries courses in higher institutions of learning in the Philippines 
recognized by the government; 
f. 
Study and treatment of fish diseases and parasites that affect fishing, post-harvest and 
aquaculture activities and projects; and 
g. Employment in the government and private sectors where the positions require the 
knowledge and expertise of a fisheries professional except in small-scale fisheries 
operations of municipal fisherfolk such as fishing, aquaculture, fish processing where 
licensed fisheries professionals are not required. 
Scientists and professionals in closely related fields to fisheries and in support of 
multidisciplinary fisheries activities such as economics, social science, engineering, marine 
biology, oceanographyllimnology and others who may immerse themselves in fisheries activities 
that do not require technical knowledge in fisheries, are exempted from the licensure 
requirements for fisheries professionals. 
ARTICLED 
PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF FISHERIES 
SEC. 6.Creation and Composition of the Professional Regulatory Board of FISheries. -
There is hereby created a Professional Regulatory Board of Fisheries to be composed of a 
Chairman and three (3) Members to be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list 
of three (3) recommendees of the Professional Regulation Commission for each position chosen 
from a list of five (5) nominees for each position submitted by the Accredited Professional 
Organization of fisheries professionals. The new Board shall be constituted within three (3) 
months from the effectivity of this Act. 
The Chairman and the three (3) Members of the Board must be registered professional 
fisheries technologists or fisheries professionals and issued with certificates of registration and 
professional identification cards at the time of their appointment. 
SEC. 7.Qualifications of Board Members.- The Chairman and Members of the Board, at 
the time of their appointment, must possess the following qualifications: 
a. Must be a natural-born citizen and resident of the Philippines; 
b. Must be at least forty years of age; 
c. Must be of proven integrity and of high moral and ethical values in his personal as 
well as professional conduct; 
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d. Must not have been convicted by a comt in II. final judgment in ()!~irnt' ltlVl.llvmg 1001':,;j 
turpitude; 
e. Must be a holder of a Bachelor's degree in the field of fisheries, or a holder of a 
Master or Doctorate degree in the field of fisheries from a school, college, or 
university recognized by the Government or abroad, and has been engaged in the 
practice of fisheries profession for at least ten (l0) years before hislher appointment; 
f. 
Must not be connected with any school, college or university granting a degree that 
qualifies graduates of such degree for admission to the licensure examination for 
fisheries professionals; and 
g. Must not be an incumbent officer or trustee of the accredited professional 
organization for fisheries professionals. 
SEC. 8.Term ofOjJice.- The Chairman and Members of the Board shall hold office fur a 
term of three (3) years or until their successors shall have been qualified and appointed. They 
may, however, be appointed for a second term. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled for the 
unexpired portion of the term only. Each member shall take an oath of office prior to the 
assumption of duties. 
The incumbent Chairman and Members shall continue to serve until their replacements 
shall have been appointed and qualified. 
SEC.9.Powen and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have the following 
powers and functions: 
a. Promulgate, adopt and issue rules and regulations to cany out the provisions of this 
Act; 
h. Give and supervise the licensure examination fur admission to the practice of the 
fisheries profession; 
c. Supervise and regulate the licensure, registration and practice of the fisheries 
profession; 
d. Administer the oath of a professional to the successful examinees in the licensure 
examination for fisheries professionals in appropriate mass oath-taking ceremonies to 
be held for the purpose; 
e. Register and issue certificates of registration to successful examinees in licensure 
examinations for fisheries professionals and to persons qualified to register as 
fisheries professionals without examination; 
f. 
Suspend or revoke the certificate of registration and professional identification card 
of a fisheries professional for causes provided herein; 
g. Adopt an official seal of the Board as well as the seal of fisheries professionals; 
h. Adopt and promulgate a Code of Ethics for Fisheries Professionals and a Code of 
Professional Standards for the Practice of the Fisheries Profession; 
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Look into the conditions affecting the practice of the fisheries profession and 
whenever necessary, adopt measures as may be deemed appropriate for the 
enhancement or maintenance of high protessional and ethical standards of thl) 
practice of the fisheries profession; 
j. Ensure, in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), that all 
educational institutions offering courses in fisheries education comply with the 
policies, standards and requirements of the course prescribed by the CHED in the 
areas of curriculum, fitculty, library and facilities; 
k. Hear/try and decide administrative cases involving violations of the provisions of this 
Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations including the Code of Ethics for 
Fisheries Professionals and Code of Professional Standards for the Practice of 
Fisheries Profession and, for this purpose, issue subpoena and subpoena duces te cum 
to secure the appearance of witnesses and the production of documents and to testifY 
in connection herewith; 
1. 
Prescribe guidelines for the implementation of its continuing professional education 
programs. CPE shall be mandatory for all fisheries professionals in coordination with 
the accredited lIlIti.onal association of fisheries professionals; 
m. Prepare, adopt and issue, in consultation with the academe, the syllabi or terms of 
specification of the subjects for the licensure examination and to amend the same; 
n. To discharge and perform such other duties and fimctions as may be necessary to 
carry out the objectives and purposes of this Act. 
Except matters which are ministerial in nature, all policies and functions of the Board 
embodied in resolutions as well as rules and regulations issued by the Board shall be subject to 
the review and approval of the Commission. 
SEC.tO.Compensation and AllOWtItree of tire CIIIlirmmr and Members of the Botrrd:-
The Chairman and Members of the Board shall receive compensation and allowances 
comparable to the compensation and allowances received by the Chairmen and Members of 
other Professional Regulatory Boards. 
SEC. 1l.Removtll and Suspension of the ChaiTIIIIUI and Members of the Board. - The 
President may, upon recommendation of the Commission, remove any Member oftbe Board for 
any of the following causes: 
a. Negligence; 
b. Incompetence; 
c. Immoral, dishonorable or unprofessional conduct; 
d. Violation of, or abetting the violation of, the Resolution or Code of Ethics for 
Fisheries Professionals; and 
e. Conviction in a final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude. 
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The right of the respondent to due process and be assisted by counsel in an inv<1i(ltigation 
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shall he respected and upheld. The President may, also upon recommendation of the 
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Commission, preventively suspend a Member under administrative investigation. 
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SEC. 12. Supervision of tire Board. Custodian ~ 
its Records, Seaetmial and Support 
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Serv;ces.- The Board shall be under the general supervision and administrative control of the 
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Commission. All records of the Board including applications fur examination, examination 
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papers and results, minutes of deliberation, administrative cases and other investigations 
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involving examinees and fisheries technologists shall be kept and subject to the disposition of the 
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Commission. 
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The Commission shall provide secretariat and support services to the Board fur the 
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efficient and effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 13.Annual Reporl.- The Board shall, at the close of each calendar year, submit an 
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annual report to the Commission, of its proceedings and accomplishments during the year and 
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make recommendations for the adoption of measures that will upgrade the conditions affecting 
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the practice of the fisheries profession in the Philippines. 
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ARTICLEm 
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EXAMINATION AND REGISTRATION 
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SEC. 14.Licensure Examimrtion. - All applicants for registration for the practice of the 
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fisheries profession shall be required to undergo and pass a written examination as provided in 
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this Act except those who quality for registration under Section 26 of this Act. The licensure 
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examination for fisheries professionals shall be given by the Board at least once a year in such 
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places and dates the Commission may designate in accordance with the provisions of Republic 
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Act 8981. 
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SEC. lS.Scope of Examination. - The examination fur fisheries professionals shall 
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basically cover the following fields: 
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a. Aquatic Resources and Ecology 
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b. Aquaculture 
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c. Capture Fisheries 
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d. Post-Harvest Fisheries 
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The board may also re-cluster, rearrange, modifY add or exclude any of the furegoing 
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subjects as the need arises and may recommend to CHED changes in said subjects to conform to 
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modern and advanced technologies in the fisheries profession. 
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SEC. 16.QualiflCllli0lfS of AppliCllllIs for .ExomiJudion. -
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exQnIination shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that: 
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a. He I she is citizen of the Philippines; 
h. He I she is of good moral chamcter and must not have been convicted of any Clime 
involving moral turpitude; 
c. He I she is a graduate of at least Bachelor's degree in the field of fisheries from a 
school, college or university established and recognized by the Government, or a 
recognized university abroad. 
SEC. 17.Fraudlllent Application. - The Board may suspend or revoke a certificate of 
registration and professional identification card already issued, if a registrant bas been proved or 
found to have made misrepresentation/s in his application for examination. 
SEC. IS.Rating in the Board Examination. - To pass the licensure examination fur 
fisheries professionals, a candidate must obtain a weighted general average rating of seventy-five 
percent (75%) and with no grade lower than sixty percent (60"/,,) in any given subjects. ffuwever, 
if an examinee obtained a general weighted average rating of seventy-five percent (75%) or 
higher but obtained a rating below sixty percent (60"/,,) in any given subject/s, he/she shall be 
allowed to take the examination in the subject/s where a grade below sixty percent (60%)was 
obtained. This removal shall be availed of only once. 
SEC.19.Report of Ratings. - The Board shall submit to the Commission the rating 
obtained by each examinee in the licensure examination within a period often (10) days after the 
examination in the last subject unless extended by the Commission for just and valid CaDSe/S. 
SEC. 20.Report on the Perfornwnce of Exami_ in Licensure Exmninlllion. - The 
Board, through the Commission, may recommend to tbe Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED) the following: 
a. The schools, colleges or universities whose successful examinees in three (3) 
consecutive licensure examination for Fisheries Technologists is less than eight 
percent (8%) of the total nnmber of its candidates who took the licensure 
examinations shall be recommended for close monitoring of their fisheries program; 
and 
b. The names of schools, colleges, or uuiversities whose successful examinees in five 
(5) successive licensure examination for Fisheries Technologists is less than eight 
percent (8%)ofthe total number of its examinees in each of the licensure examination 
taken shall be published in newspapers, and their fisheries course/ program shall be 
recommended for closure. 
SEC. 2I.Issuonce of Certificate of Registration and Professional Lieense. 
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certificate of registmtion shall be issued to examinees that passed the licensure examination for 
Fisheries Technologists, as well as to a person that qualified to register as fisheries professional 
without examination, subject to the payment of fees presctibed by the Commission. The 
Certificate of Registration, which indicates that the person named therein is entitled to practice as 
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Fisheries Professional with all the benefits and privileges pertaining thereto, shall bear the 
signature of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Chainnan and Members of the Board, 
and the seal of the Commission and the Board. Provided, That he/she shall be allowed to practice 
the profession without the need of securing another license from any government agency. The 
Certificate of Registration shall remain in full force and effect until revoked or suspended in 
acr,ordance with this Act. A Professional Identification Card bearing the registration number, and 
date of issuance, shall be renewed every three (3) years and upon satisfYing the requirements of 
the Board and Continuing Professional Education. 
SEC.22.Non-issuance of Certificate of Begistndion and Professional Identification 
Cord. - The Board shall not register and issue a Certificate of Registration to any successful 
examinee that has been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction of any criminal offense 
involving moml turpitude, or has been fuund guilty of immoml or dishonorable conduct after 
investigation by the Board, or has been declared to be of unsound mind. The reason for the 
refusal shall be set forth in writing. 
SEC. 23.Revt)CatWn or Suspension of the Certificate of Registration, Professional 
/tlentificotion Card or ConceIlatWn of Tempol'tll'Jl / Spedol Permit - The Board may, after 
giving proper notice of hearing to the party concerned, revoke the Certificate of Registration and 
Professional Identification Card of a Fisheries Professional or suspend himlher from the practice 
of the profussion or cancel his/her temporary/special permit for unprofussional or unethical 
conduct, malpmctice, negligence, incompetence, or violation of any of the provisions of this Act, 
its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), Code of EthicslProfessional Standards fur 
Fisheries Professionals, and Code of Good Governance. 
SEC. 24.Reinstatenrent. Be-issuance, or Repltrc:elflent of Certificate of Registration, 
Professional Identification Card anti TempornrylSpecial Permit - The Board may, after two 
(2) years from the date of revocation of Certificate of Registration, reinstate any revoked 
Certificate of Registration and reissue a suspended Professional Identification Card. 
SEC. 25.Continuing Professional Education.-The Board shall implement a Continuing 
Professional Education program in fisheries for purposes of renewal of registration and licenses 
as Fisheries Professionals. 
SEC. 26.Registration of Fisheries Professionals without Examination. - Upon approval 
of the application and payment of the prescribed fees, certificate of registration and professional 
identification card shall be issued to the applicant for registration without examination who can 
prove to the satisfaction of the Board that items a, b, or c below has been met: 
a. He/she has at least a bachelor's degree in any field of fisheries from a school, college 
or university established or recognized by the Government; Provided, That the 
applicant has passed any of the civil service examination in fisheries, or has been 
granted eligibility by the Civil Service Commission by virtue ofPD 907, or passed 
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the Career Service (professional) examination given by the Civil Service 
Commission; Provided jurther, That the applicant has served the fisheries industry in 
public or private ClIpacity for five (5) years before the effectivity of Republic Act 
8550; 
b. He/she has a graduate degree(master or doctolllte) in fisheries Of closely related fields 
such 
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marine 
biology, 
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science/technology/engineering, fish taxonomy. biotechnology as applied in fisheries, 
aquatic biology, fishing boat design/engineering, aquatic resource management, fish 
health, fish nutrition, or fish chemistry fiom a school, college or university, 
established or recognized by the Government; Provided, That the applicant has served 
the fisheries industry in public or private capacity for at least ten (10) years; Provided 
further, That the applicant has published five (5) research and highly technical papers 
in reputable journals, books and proceedings within the ten-year service in fisheries; 
c. He/she is a graduate of at least a bachelor's degree in fisheries from a school, college 
or university, established or recognized by the Government; PrOVided, That the 
appliCllnt has served the fisheries industry (private sector) for a total often (10) years; 
Provided jilriher, 
That he/she can show proof of achievements, awards, 
commendations, or promotions of deserving performance and has published at least 
two (2) technical papers in fisheries. 
The appliCllnts are given one (1) year after the approval and publication of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act to register as Fisheries Professionals without 
examination. 
SEC. 27.Roster of Fisheries Professionais.- The Board, in coordination with the 
Accredited Professional Organization, shall prepare, update and maintain a Roster of Fisheries 
Professionals, their residence and office addresses, dates of registration or issuance of certificate, 
and other data which the Board may deem relevant. 
The roster shall be open to the public; copies of which shall be made available to any 
party as may be deemed necessary. 
SEC. 28.lssuaftce of Tenrporary/Special Permit.- Upon application and payment of the 
required fee and subject to the approval of the Commission, the Board may issue temporary or 
special permits to fisheries professionals from foreign countries whose services are urgently 
needed in the absence or inadequacy of 10CllI fisheries technologists fur the PU1]lOse of promoting 
or enhancing the practice of the fisheries profession in the Philippines. 
SEC. 29.Foreign ReciprocityA- No foreigner shall be admitted to sit in the licensure 
examination for fisheries professionals and/or be registered as fisheries professional and issued a 
certificate of registration and professional identification ClIfd under this Act, unless he qualifies 
in the manner provided in the law creating the Professional Regulation Commission, that by 
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specific provision oflaw of the country of which he is a citizen, allows citizens of the Philippines 
to practice the fisheries profession after an examination O£ without examination on terms of strict 
and absolute equality with the citizens of the said country including unconditional recognition of 
prerequisite degrees issued by institutions of higher learning established and recognized by the 
Government of the Philippines, 
SEC. 30 .. Yeal alUl Use of Seal.- Every Fisheries Professional shall obtain a seal of such 
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design as the Board shall adopt and approve which shall be impressed upon all documents, 
records, papers and/or instruments prepared by/or under the direct supervision of or issued by a 
registered Fisheries Professional only during the period of the validity of his proressional 
identification card. 
SEC. 31JlUlication of Number, Certificate of Registration, Professional Ttu: Receipt, 
and APO Membership Official Receipt - Every registered Fisheries Professional shall be 
required to indicate the number of his certificate of registration, professional identification card, 
the date of issuance and expiration of said card including the number of his professional tax: 
receipt, its date and place of issue, and APO Membership Official Receipt Number on any and 
all documents that he signs, uses or issues in cOImection with the practice of the Fisheries 
Profession. 
ARTICLE IV 
PRACTICE OF TIlE FISHERIES PROFESSION 
SEC. 32.0atb. - All successful examinees and those qualified for registration without 
examination shall be required to take an oath of profession before any member of the Board or 
any officer of the Commission authorized by it, or any person authorized by law to administer 
oaths prior to entering into the practice of the fisheries proression. 
SEC. 33Acts Constituting the Practice of the Fisheries Profession. - Any single act or 
transaction embraced within the provision of Section 5 hereof shall constitute an act of engaging 
in the practice of the fisheries proression. 
SEC. 34.Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice of the Fisheries Profession.-
No person shall practice the fisheries profession in the Philippines or offer himselflherself as 
Fisheries Proressional, or use the title, word, letter, figure or any sign tending to convey the 
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impression that one is a Fisheries Professional, or advertise or indicate in any manner whatsoever 
that one is qualified to practice the proression, unless hel'she has satisfactorily passed the Board 
licensure examination for Fisheries Proressionals, or registered as a Fisheries Proressional 
without examination, except as otherwise provided in this Act. and is a holder of a valid 
Certificate of Registration and a Professional Identification Card or a valid temporary/special 
permit duly issued to himlher by the Board and the Commission. 
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SEC. 35.Prohibition Against Co1porale Practke. -
The practice of fisheries 
professionals is a professional service, admission to ".h shall be determined uJlon basis of 
individual and personal qualification. No firm, company, or association may be registered or 
licelllled as such for the practice of the fisheries profession. 
SEC. 36.Prohibition Against Hiring Unlicensed Fisheries Profess;ol1als.- Government 
agencies, educational institutions, private corporations/conlpanies, and entrepreneurs ill fisheries 
are prohibited from hiring unlicensed Fisheries Professionals whose work is defined in Section 5 
of this Act. 
SEC. 37.AccrediteJ ProfessiolUll Orgtmkation. - All Fisheries Professionals shall have 
one National Organization, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that 
shall be recognized by the Board subject to the approval by the Commission as the one and only 
accredited professional organization of Fisheries Professionals. Its members must only be 
licensed fisheries professionals. A Fisheries Professional duly registered with the Board shan 
automatically be a member of the accredited professional organizationof fisheries professionals 
and shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant thereto UPOIl payment of membership 
fees thereof. Membership in the accredited professional organization of fisheries professionals 
shall not be a bar to membership in other organizations offisheries. 
SEC. 38.Code of Ethics turd Professional Stturdards.- The Board shall adopt and 
promulgate the Code of Ethics and the Code of Professional Standards for Fisheries 
Professionals which shall be issued by the Accredited Professional Organization of Fisheries 
Professionals. 
SEC. 39.Vested Rights: Automatic Registrati",. of Fisheries Profes.viofUlis. -
All 
Fisheries Technologists who are registered and licensed under Resolution 01(Series of 2002) of 
the Board of Fisheries, PRC, entitled "Rules and Regulations Implementing PRC Resolution No. 
2000-664, As Amended" (Creation of the Board of Fisheries as mandated by Section 115 ofRA. 
8550, otherwise known as the Fisheries Code of 1998") at the time this Act takes effect shall 
automatically be registered as Fisheries Professionals. 
ARTICLE V 
PENAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 40.Penal Provisions.- Any violation of this Act, including the violations of the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations thereot: shall be meted the penalty of a fine of not less than 
Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) or more than Five Hundred Thousand I>esos (Php 
500,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months, or both upon the discretion of the 
court. 
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SEC. 41.Appropriation. - There shall be an initial appropriation of Twenty Million 
Pesos (php 20,000,000.00) to be disbursed fur the operation of the Board of Fisheries which shall 
include personal services, maintenance al)d other operating expenses and capital outlay. I~ 
succeeding years the Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission shall immediately 
include in the Commission's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall 
be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act and thereafter. 
SEC. 42.Transitory Provision. - The existing Board of Fisheries shall continue to 
function in the interim without another appointment until such time that the new Board shall 
have been constituted pursuant to this Act. 
SEC. 43.1mplementing Rules and RegulaJiollS.- The Board shall, subject to the 
appro~al of the Commission, adopt, promulgate and issue the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations, in coordination with the accredited profes:sional organization and other fisheries 
institutions, to implement or carry out the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 44.separobility Otulse. - If any clause, sentence, _paragraph, or part of this Act 
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, such judgment shall not affect, invalidate or impair 
any other part of this Act. 
SEC. 4S.RepeaJing Oause. - Section 115 ofRA. 8550 and Section 75 ofRA. 8435 
and PRC Resolution No. 2000-664, Series of 2000 are hereby repealed. All other laws, decrees, 
executive orders, and other administrative issuances and parts thereof which are inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, superseded or repealed accordingly. 
SEC.46.Effedivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its full and 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general circulation in 
the Philippines. 
Approved, 
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