EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
F irst Regular Session
)))
SENATE
•.♦/<P'iirr o( I1: 
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*19 JULll PI :18
S. No.
60
RFfn
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.


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 sen/e 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.
risT
h o n t iv e r o s  
y
Senator


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 
360
■C : '- / ( O U t t r  of li*: -  
• 
'  ' A V
T9 JULU P1;18
RECH!'J-L)3.
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 o f Representatives o f the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
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CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Shark Conservation 
Act of the Philippines."
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policies 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 
judicious 
and 
wise 
utilization, 
protection, 
conservation 
and 
management on a sustainable basis of its coastal and fishery 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


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awareness of sustainable fisheries through appropriate education and
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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
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environment. The absence of adequate scientific and technical
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information should not be used as a reason for postponing or failing to
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take conservation and management measures; and
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f) Promote ecosystem-based fisheries management.
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Sec. 3. Scope o f Application. - The provisions of this Act shall be enforceable
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for all Philippine waters including other waters over which the Philippines has
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sovereignty and jurisdiction, and the country's 200 - nautical mile Exclusive Economic
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Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, including protected areas under Republic Act No.
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7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS)
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Act; critical habitats; and all Philippine flagged fishing vessels operating in areas
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governed by a Regional Fisheries Management Organization, in the high seas, or in
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waters of other coastal states.
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Sec. 4. Jurisdiction o f the Department o f Agriculture. The Department of
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Agriculture (DA) shall have jurisdiction over sharks, rays, and chimaeras, and all
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declared aquatic habitats. In the Province of Palawan, jurisdiction herein conferred is
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vested to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development pursuant to Republic Act
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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
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agencies, 
and 
Local Government Units (LGUs) shall 
likewise assist in the
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implementation of this Act.
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The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall provide the necessary assistance to the DA-
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BFAR and the LGUs in identifying shark ecotourism sites and declare the same as
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protected.
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CHAPTER I I
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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) "Bycatch" means the incidental take of undesirable size or age classes
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of the target species, or the incidental take of other non-target species
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or protected, endangered, or threatened species.
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b) "By-product or derivatives" means any part taken or substance
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extracted from sharks, in raw or in processed form. This includes, but
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are not limited to, preserved sharks (curios), cartilage, gill rakers, fins,
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oil, skin, and teeth;
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c) "Corridor" means an artificial or natural avenue where which wide-
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ranging animals can travel, plants can propagate, genetic interchange
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can occur, populations can move in response to environmental changes
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and natural disasters, and threatened species can be replenished from
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other areas. Marine corridors encompass mangroves, coral reefs, and
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seagrass beds;
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d) "Critical Habitat" means a place or environment that contains physical
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or biological features essential to its conservation;
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e) "Dedicated tourism interaction site" means well-defined areas for
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marine 
wildlife 
tourism, 
either 
managed 
as 
a
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sanctuary/reserve/protected area or not, focused on a particular
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species or several species, with specified operating times;
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f) "Discarded bycatch" means non-target species that are discarded at
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sea;
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g) "Disturbance" means any intentional and unintentional acts that shall
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disrupt the natural cycle and activities of marine wildlife for the short
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or long-term without necessarily causing any physical injury to the
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same such as but is not limited to acts producing noise, pollution,
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degradation of habitat, blockage of movement, displacement, and the
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like;
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h) "Endangered Rare and/or Threatened Shark Species" means species in
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danger of extinction as provided for in existing Philippine laws and/or
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the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of
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Species;
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i) "Finning" means the practice of removing and retaining shark fins;
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j) "Full Utilization" means use or consumption of the entire animal;


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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;
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 I I I
CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF SHARKS, RAYS, AND CHIMAERAS
ARTICLE I 
General Provisions
Sec. 6. Information Systems, Interaction, Reiease and Possession o f By- 
Products and Derivatives, and By-Catch


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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.
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 o f 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


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unwanted sharks based on the best available science and safe release
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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
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technical and financial assistance on research for gear restriction, and
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identify modified fishing gears to reduce shark bycatch mortality, which
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may include bait restrictions, use of different fishing hooks, varying
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hook depth, use of repellents, reducing soak time, and reducing
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number of hooks. The DA-BFAR shall also develop a standard reporting
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system for sharks that are bycatch.
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j) Release and Reporting o f Bycatch. Live sharks that have not been
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assessed through the NDF shall be immediately released unharmed to
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the sea. Dead sharks shall be handed over to the DA-BFAR for proper
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documentation and disposal. Any incident must be reported to the
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competent authority using the standard reporting system.
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ARTICLE I I
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Protection o f Vulnerable, Threatened, Endangered, and Critically
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Endangered Shark Species
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Sec. 7. Determination o f Threatened Species, Vulnerable, Endangered, or
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Critically Endangered Species. -  The DA-BFAR, within two (2) years after the
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effectivity of this Act, shall determine whether shark species or subspecies of a
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population or subpopulation is threatened (vulnerable, endangered, or critically
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endangered) based on available scientific data and with due regard to internationally
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accepted criteria, such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (lUCN).
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Criteria include but are not limited 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
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sharks within two (2) years after effectivity of this Act. Thereafter, the list shall be
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updated regularly or as the need arises. Provided, that a species listed as vulnerable


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threatened shall not be removed there from within three (3) years following its initial
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listing.
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Upon filing of a petition based on substantial scientific information of any person
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seeking for the addition or deletion of a species from the list, the DA-BFAR shall
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evaluate in accordance with the relevant factors stated in the first paragraph of this
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section, the status of the species concerned, and act on said petition within a
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reasonable period.
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The DA-BFAR shall also prepare and publish a list of sharks which resembles so
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closely in appearance with listed threatened wildlife, which species shall likewise be
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categorized as threatened.
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ARTICLE I I I
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Commercial and Municipal Fisheries
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Sec. 8. Identification o f Critical Habitats, Reference Points, Limits, and
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Seasons.
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a) Identification o f Critical Habitats. The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year
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after the effectivity of this Act, shall identify critical habitats for sharks
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and establish these as shark sanctuaries.
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b) Development o f Target Reference Points (TRP) and Limit Reference
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Points (LRP). The DA-BFAR shall, within three (3) years from the
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effectivity of this Act, determine TRP and LRP based on the results of
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national stock assessments and the precautionary principle.
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c) Size Limitations. The DA-BFAR shall, within one (1) year from the
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effectivity of this Act, determine the size limits for sharks.
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d) Catch Ceiling Limitations. The DA-BFAR may prescribe limitations or
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quota on the total quantity of sharks captured, for a specified period of
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time and specified area based on the best available evidence, harvest
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strategies, and target limits. Catch ceilings may be established upon
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the concurrence and approval or recommendation of such special
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agency and the concerned LGU in consultation with the Fisheries
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Aquatic and Resource Management Council (FARMC) for conservation
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or ecological purposes.
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e) Establishment o f Closed Season. The Secretary may declare, through
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public notice in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in
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public service announcements, whichever is applicable, at least five (5)
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days before the declaration, a closed season in any or all Philippine
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waters outside the boundary of municipal waters and in bays, for
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conservation and ecological purposes. Provided, however, that this
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shall 
be 
done 
only 
upon 
the 
concurrence 
and 
approval 
or
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recommendation of such special agency and the concerned LGU and
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FARMC: 
Provided, 
further. 
That 
in 
municipal 
waters, 
fishery
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management areas and other areas reserved for the use of the
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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
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establishment of closed 
seasons 
in 
municipal 
waters, 
fisheries
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management and other areas reserved for the use of the municipal
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fisherfolk.
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f) Support to Fisherfolk. - The Department and LGUs shall provide
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support to commercial and municipal fisherfolk through appropriate
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technology and research, credit, production and marketing assistance
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and 
other services 
such 
as, 
but not 
limited 
to training for
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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
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the supply chain of shark trading and utilization shall cooperate with the DA-BFAR in
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carrying out official controls, and shall have responsibilities including but not limited
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to the following:
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a) Implementation o f traceability system. 
Business operators must
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operate traceability procedures for ingredients, raw materials at all
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stages of production, processing, transport, storage and distribution,
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and be able to (i) identify any person or business operator that has
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supplied them with the species; (ii) identify any person or business to
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which they have supplied their products; (iii) the products that were
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supplied including quantity or volume, site of fishing grounds, specie,
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and fishing gear used; and (iv) make this information available to DA-
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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
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relevant documentation. They must also comply with the labelling
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requirements of 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
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shall be unlawful for any person to willfully and knowingly exploit sharks and their
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habitats, or 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
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groups or 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
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suffered 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
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of 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
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habitat;
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c. mineral exploration and/or extraction;
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f) introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without
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permits;
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g) finning;
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h) collecting, hunting, possessing, importing, exporting, or re-exporting
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sharks, their by-products and derivatives without the result of the


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NDF and full traceability at all stages, from collection to production,
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processing, transport, storage, and distribution;
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i) falsely advertising or mislabeling any product, which could mislead
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consumers;
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j) obstruction of corridors; and
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k) use of shark wires.
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CHAPTER V
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FINES AND PENALTIES
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Sec. 11. The following fines and penalties shall be imposed for violations of
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this Act;
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a) killing, taking, keeping in captivity, inflicting injury, harrassing, and
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trading vulnerable, threatened, 
endangered, or critically endangered
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species:
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a. imprisonment of two (2) years and one (1) day to four (4) years
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and/or a fine of Thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) to Three
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hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) per animal if inflicted or
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undertaken against vulnerable species;
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b. imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years
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and/or a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Two
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hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) per animal if inflicted or
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undertaken against other threatened species;
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c. imprisonment of four (4) and one (1) day to six (6) years and/or
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a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Five hundred
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thousand 
pesos (P500,000.00) 
per animal 
if inflicted or
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undertaken against endangered species; and
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d. imprisonment of a minimum of six (6) years and one (1) day to
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twelve (12) years and/or a fine of One hundred thousand pesos
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(P100,000.00) to One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) per animal
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if inflicted or undertaken against species listed as critically
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endangered.
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b) inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system
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of sharks: imprisonment of one (1) month to six (6) months and/or a
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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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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.
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Upon a summary finding of administrative liabiiity, 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.
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;
13


1 
(2) 
Fifty 
thousand 
pesos 
(P50/000.00) 
for 
small- 
scale
2 
commercial fishing;
3 
(3) One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for medium-
4 
scale commercial fishing; and
5 
(4) Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) for large- scale
6 
commercial fishing.
7 
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished
8 
with imprisonment of two (2) years to six (6) years 
and fine
9 
equivalent to twice the administrative fine, confiscation and
10 
forfeiture of fishing gear and catch.
11 
Sec. 12. Escalation Clause. -  The fines herein prescribed shall be increased by
12 
at least ten percent (10%) every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to
13 
maintain the deterrent function of such fines.
14
15 
CHAPTER VI
16 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
17
18 
Sec. 13. Flagship Species. -  Local government units shall initiate consen/ation
19 
measures for endemic and/or economically valuable species in their areas. For this
20 
purpose, they may adopt flagship species such as the whale shark {Rhincodon typus)
21 
or thresher shark {Alopias pelagicus), which shall serve as emblems of conservation
22 
for the local government concerned.
23 
Sec. 14. Information and Education. -  The BFAR, DENR, DOT, DTI, LGUs, and
24 
other academic institutions shall undertake a nationwide information and education
25 
campaign to adequately inform the populace of the value of sharks and rays in the
26 
marine ecosystem, and of the importance of preserving their respective habitats and
27 
feeding grounds.
28 
Sec. 15. Transition Period. -  Due to the substantially new requirement
29 
imposed by this Act, a transition period of three (3) years from its entry into force is
30 
provided. During the transition period, sharks, their by-products, and derivatives may
31 
be sold and traded, and stocks that have been produced before the end of the
32 
transitional period may continue to be sold or exported until exhausted.
33 
Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within twelve (12) months
34 
following the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in
35 
coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, and
36 
the Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and the House of
14


1 
Representatives, respectively, shall promulgate respective rules and regulations for
2 
the effective implementation of this Act. Whenever appropriate, coordination in the
3 
preparation and implementation of rules and regulations on joint and inseparable
4 
issues shall be done by the Departments. The commitments of the State to
5 
international agreements and protocols shall likewise be a consideration in the
6 
implementation of this Act.
7 
Sec. 17. Appropriations. -  The amount necessary to implement the provisions
8 
of this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of
9 
Agriculture in the current General Appropriations Act. Therefore, such sums as may
10 
be necessary to fully implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the
11 
annual General Appropriations Act. The DA-BFAR may also seek financial assistance
12 
from any source and may receive any donation therefore.
13 
Sec. 18. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held
14 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions with the provisions
15 
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
16 
Sec. 19. Repealing Cause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
17 
regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
18 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
19 
Sec. 20. Effectivity Cause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
20 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
15