EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
•«. I u
SENATE 
S. No. 
3 3 5
o( I'tf i
•19 JULll All :04
RECEIV;.DnV'
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
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.1
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; and as such, sharks play an important role in the ecosystem by 
maintaining the species below them in the food chain and serving as an indicator for 
ocean health.2 Tbey help keep prey populations healthy by feeding on weak, sick, or 
old fishes, and prevent overgrazing of critical marine habitats.3
1 Save Sharks Network Philippines. (2017). 2020 Conservation Roadmap for Sharks and Rays in the Philippines.
2 https;//eu.ooeana.org/en/importance-sharks-0
3 Ibid.


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.4
Due to their unique life history traits, sharks and their relatives reproduces 
slowly, making them particularly vulnerable to threats from targeted fisheries, 
overfishing, by catch, pollution, unregulated tourism, and climate change. Declined 
populations will find it hard to recover without special conservation attention.5
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.
Given the foregoing, I recommend the immediate approval of this bill.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
4 Save Sharks Networic Philippines. (2017). 2020 Conservation Roadmap for Sharks and Rays in the Philippines.
5 Ibid.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S. No.
SENATE
335
of tur 
i t.ur
‘19 JUL 11 All :04
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
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 the House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Shark Conservation
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Act o f the Philippines".
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Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to:
a) 
Protect environmental rights of the people, promote conservation and 
ensure sustainable and equitable utilization of its coastal areas, habitats and species, 
including sharks, in conformity with the Constitution, the Philippine Fisheries Code of 
1998, as amended by Republic Act 10654, and the National Wildlife Conservation 
and Protection Act;
b) 
Ensure, for the benefit and enjoyment of the Filipino people, the 
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judicious and wise utilization, protection, conservation and management on a
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sustainable basis of its coastal and fishet7 resources with the necessity of 
maintaining a sound ecological balance and protecting and enhancing the quality of 
the environment;
c) 
Protect the rights of the small and marginal fishers in the preferential 
use of communal coastal and fishery resources;
d) 
Allow people's full and active participation in the conservation and 
management of the coastal and fishery resources and promote awareness of 
sustainable fisheries through appropriate education and training;
e) 
Promote and adhere to the precautionary principle of conservation, 
management and exploitation of living coastal and fishery resources in order to 
assure the sustainable development of the coastal environment. The absence of 
adequate scientific and technical information should not be used as a reason for 
postponing or failing to take conservation and management measures; and
f) 
Promote ecosystem-based fisheries management.
Sec. 3. Scope o f Application. -  The provisions of this Act shall be enforceable 
for all Philippine waters including other waters over which the Philippines has 
sovereignty and jurisdiction, and the country's 200—nautical mile Exclusive Economic 
Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, including protected areas under Republic Act No. 
7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) 
Act; critical habitats; and all Philippine flagged fishing vessels op>erating in areas 
governed by a Regional Fisheries Management Organization, in the high seas, or In 
waters of other coastal states.
Sec. 4. Jurisdiction o f the Department o f Agriculture. — The Department of 
Agriculture (DA) shall have jurisdiction over sharks, rays, and chimaeras, and all 
declared aquatic habitats. In the Province of Palawan, jurisdiction herein conferred is 
vested to the 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-BFAR) shall be the lead agency in the implementation of this Act. 
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Environment and 
Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police 
(PNP), other law enforcement agencies, 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
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the DA-BFAR and the LGUs in identifying shark ecotourism sites and declare the
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same as protected.
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CHAPTER II 
DEFINITION OF TERMS
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Sec. 5. Definition o f Terms. -  For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
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hereby defined:
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(a) 
By-catch" means the incidental take of undesirable size or age classes 
o f the target species or the incidental take of other non-target species or protected, 
endangered, or threatened species.
(b) 
"By-product or derivatives" means any part taken or substance 
extracted from sharks, in raw or in processed form. This includes, but are not limited 
to, preserved sharks (curios), cartilage, gill rakers, fins, oil, skin, and teeth;
(c) 
Corridor" means an artificial or natural avenue where which wide- 
ranging animals can travel, plants can p>rop)agate, genetic interchange can occur, 
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;


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(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;
(0  
"Discarded by-catch" 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;
0) 
"Full Utilization" means use or consumption of the entire animal;
(k) 
"Flabitar means place or environment where species or subsp)ecies 
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;


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(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;
(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.
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CHAPTER III
CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF SHARKS, RAYS, AND CHIMAERAS
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ARTICLE I 
General Provisions
Sec. 6. Information Systems, Interaction, Release and Possession o f 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.


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(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. -  Ttie DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after the 
effectivity of this Act, shall develop human-shark interaction guidelines in the wild.
(e) 
Research Interaction. -  The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after the 
effectivity of this Act, shall develop research and researcher interaction guidelines for 
studies focusing on sharks.
(f) 
Non-Detriment Findings (NDF). -  The DA-BFAR, within three (3) years 
after the effectivity of this Act, shall determine the NDF for targeted and incidentally 
caught shark species.
(g) 
Collection and/or Possession of By-Products and Derivatives. -  The 
collection and possession of species shall only be allowed when the results of the 
NDF show that, despite certain extent of collection, the population of such species 
can still remain viable and capable of recovering its numbers. For this purpose, the 
DA-BFAR shall establish a schedule and volume of allowable harvests.
(h) 
Handling and Release Practices. -  The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year 
after the effectivity of this Act, shall develop acceptable handling and release 
guidelines from fisheries for all types of protected and/or unwanted sharks based on 
the best available science and safe release experience.
(i) 
By-catch reduction measures and reporting mechanisms. -  The DA- 
BFAR, within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, shall provide technical 
and financial assistance on research for gear restriction, and identify modified fishing
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gears to reduce shark by-catch mortality, which may include bait restrictions, use of 
different fishing hooks, varying hook depth, use of repellents, reducing soak time, 
and reducing number of hooks. The DA-BFAR shall also develop a standard reporting 
system for sharks that are by-catch.
0) 
Release and Reporting of By-catch. -  Uve sharks that have not been 
assessed through the NDF shall be immediately released unharmed to the sea. Dead 
sharks shall be handed over to the DA-BFAR for proper documentation and disposal. 
Any incident must be reported to the competent authority using the standard 
reporting system.
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ARTICLE II
Protection of Vulnerable, Threatened, Endangered, and 
Critically Endangered Shark Species
Sec. 7. Determination o f Threatened Species: Vulnerable, Endangered, or 
Critically Endangered Species. -  The DA-BFAR, within two (2) years after the 
effectivity of this Act, shall determine whether shark species or subspecies of a 
population or subpopulation is threatened (vulnerable, endangered, or critically 
endangered) based on available scientific data and with due regard to internationally 
accepted criteria, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (lUCN). 
Criteria include but are not limited to the following:
(a) Present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its 
habitat or range;
(b) 
Over-utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational 
purposes;
(c) 
Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and
(d) 
Other natural or man-made factors affecting the existence of sharks.
26 
The DA-BFAR shall review, revise and publish the list of categorized
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list shall be updated regularly or as the need arises. Provided, that a species listed as 
vulnerable threatened shall not be removed there from within three (3) years 
following its initial listing.
Upon filing of a petition based on substantial scientific information of any 
person seeking for the addition or deletion of a species from the list, the DA-BFAR 
shall evaluate in accordance with the relevant factors stated in the first paragraph of 
this section, the status of the species concerned, and act on said petition within a 
reasonable period.
The DA-BFAR shall also prepare and publish a list of sharks which resembles 
so closely in appearance with listed threatened wildlife, which species shall likewise 
be categorized as threatened.
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ARTICLE II
Commercial and Municipal Fisheries
Sec. 8. Identification o f Critical Habitats, Reference Points, Limits and 
Seasons. -
(a) Identification of Critical Habitats. -  The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year 
after the effectivity of this Act, shall identify critical habitats for sharks and establish 
these as shark sanctuaries.
(b) Development of Target Reference Points (TRP) and Limit Reference Points 
(LRP). -  The DA-BFAR shall, within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act, 
determine TRP and LRP based on the results of national stock assessments and the 
precautionary principle.
(c) Size Limitations. -  The DA-BFAR shall, within one (1) year from the 
effectivity of this Act, determine the size limits for sharks.
(d) Catch Ceiling Limitations. -  The DA-BFAR may prescribe limitations or 
quota on the total quantity of sharks captured, for a specified period of time and 
specified area based on the best available evidence, harvest strategies, and target
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limits. Catch ceilings may be established upon the concurrence and approval or 
recommendation of such special agency and the concerned LGU in consultation with 
the Fisheries Aquatic and Resource Management Council (FARMC) for conservation 
or ecological purposes.
(e) 
Establishment of Closed Season. -  The Secretary may declare, through 
public notice in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in public service 
announcements, whichever is applicable, at least five (5) days before the 
declaration, a closed season in any or all Philippine waters outside the boundary of 
municipal waters and in bays, for conservation and ecological purposes. Provided, 
however, that this shall be done only upon the concurrence and approval or 
recommendation of such special agency and the concerned LGU and FARMC: 
Provided, further, That in municipal waters, fishery management areas and other 
areas reserved for the use of the municipal fisherfolk, closed season may be 
established by the concerned LGU in consultation with the FARMC for conservation 
or ecological purposes. The FARMCs may also recommend the establishment of 
closed seasons in municipal waters, fisheries management and other areas reserved 
for the use of the municipal fisherfolk.
(0  Support to Fisherfolk. -  The Department and LGUs shall provide support 
to commercial and municipal fisherfolk through appropriate technology and research, 
credit, production and marketing assistance and other services such as, but not 
limited to training for additional/supplementary livelihood.
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ARTICLE IV 
Traceability
Sec. 9. System, Labeling and Identification. -  All business operators identified 
in the supply chain of shark trading and utilization shall cooperate with the DA-BFAR 
in carrying out official controls, and shall have responsibilities including but not 
limited to the following:


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a) 
Implementation of traceability system. -  Business operators must 
operate traceability procedures for ingredients, raw materials at all stages of 
production, processing, transport, storage and distribution, and be able to (i) identify 
any person or business operator that has supplied them with the species; (ii) identify 
any person or business to which they have supplied their products; (iii) the products 
that were supplied including quantity or volume, site of fishing grounds, specie, and 
fishing gear used; and (iv) make this information available to DA-BFAR and their 
consumers.
b) 
Labeling or identification. -  Business operators must ensure that their 
products 
are 
adequately 
labeled 
or 
otherwise 
identified 
through 
relevant 
documentation. They must also comply with the labelling requirements of the 
country destination.
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ARTICLE V 
Illegal Acts
Sec. 10. Illegal Acts. -  Unless otherwise allowed in accordance with this Act, 
it shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and knowingly exploit sharks and their 
habitats, or undertake the following acts:
a) killing, taking, keeping captive, and trading vulnerable, threatened, 
endangered, or critically endangered species, except in the following 
instances;
i. 
When it is done as part of the rituals of established tribal groups or 
indigenous cultural communities;
When the shark is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease; 
When it is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by 
the shark;
When the shark is killed or destroyed after it has been used in 
authorized research or experiments.
II.
iii.
iv.
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b) Inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of 
sharks;
c) Harassing sharks;
d) Disturbing sharks and their habitats;
e) Effecting any of the following acts in critical habitat(s):
i. 
Dumping of waste products detrimental to sharks;
ii. 
Squatting or otherwise occupying any portion of the critical habitat;
iii. 
Mineral exploration and/or extraction;
f) 
Introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without permits;
g) Finning;
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.
ARTICLE V 
Illegal Acts
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Sec. 11. The following fines and penalties shall be imposed for violations o f
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this Act. -
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(a) 
Killing, taking, keeping in captivity, inflicting injury, harassing, and trading 
vulnerable, threatened, endangered, or critically endangered species:
i. 
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 Tliree hundred
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II.
III.
thousand pesos (P300,000.00) per animal if inflicted or undertaken 
against vulnerable species;
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;
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
Imprisonment of a minimum of six (6) years and one (1) day to 
twelve (12) years and/or a fine of One hundred thousand piesos 
(PlOO,000.00) to One million pesos (P I,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 Five 
thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), if inflicted or 
undertaken against other wildlife species.
IV.
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(c) 
Harassing sharks: imprisonment of one (1) month to six (6) months
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and/or a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty thousand pesos
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(P20,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.
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C0*) 
Disturbing sharks and their habitats: imprisonment of one (1) month to
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six (6) months and/or a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty thousand
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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.
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(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, op>erator, 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
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imprisonment o f two (2) years to six (6) years and fine equivalent to twice the
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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
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Failure on the part of the shipping or forwarding company from whose
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possession the fish or fishery species imported or exported are discovered or seized
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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.
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Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall be
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punished with an administrative fine of five (5) times the value of the species or
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Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) to Five hundred thousand pesos
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(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 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.
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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
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Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00), dismantling of the obstruction at the expense
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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, op>erator, 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:
( l)  
Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for municipal fishing: Provided, 
That if the offender fails to p>ay the fine, he shall render community 
service;
(2) 
Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for small- scale commercial fishing;
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(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 equivalent to twice the 
administrative fine, confiscation and forfeiture of fishing gear and catch.
Sec. 12. Escalation Clause. -  The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by 
at least ten percent (10%) every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to 
maintain the deterrent function of such fines.
ARTICLE VI
Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 13. Flagship Species. -  Local government units shall initiate conservation 
measures for endemic and/or economically valuable species in their areas. For this 
purpose, they may adopt flagship species such as the whale shark (Rhincodon 
typus) or thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus), which shall serve as emblems of 
conservation for the local government concerned.
Sec. 14. Information and Education. - The BFAR, DENR, DOT, DTI, LGUs, and 
other academic institutions shall undertake a nationwide information and education 
campaign to adequately inform the populace of the value of sharks and rays in the 
marine ecosystem, and of the importance of preserving their respective habitats and 
feeding grounds.
Sec. 15. Transition Period. -  Due to the substantially new requirement 
imposed by this Act, a transition period of three (3) years from its entry into force is 
provided. During the transition period, sharks, their by-products, and derivatives 
may be sold and traded, and stocks that have been produced before the end of the 
transitional period may continue to be sold or exported until exhausted.
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Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  Within twelve (12) months 
following the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with 
the Dep>artment of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, and the Committees 
on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and the House of Representatives, 
respectively, shall promulgate respective rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. Whenever appropriate, coordination in the preparation 
and implementation of rules and regulations on joint and inseparable issues shall be 
done by the departments. The commitments of the State to international 
agreements and protocols shall likewise be a consideration in the implementation of 
this Act.
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Sec. 17. Separability Clause. -  If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions 
hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in force and effect.
Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. -  Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to 
the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 19. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general 
circulation.
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Approved,
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