SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 1245
''eiaii*' (S ffirt of >he(i»»m>iar
*16 
NOV 17 
P3 5 9
K! •• 
• .
Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI
AN ACT
BANNING 
THE 
CATCHING, 
SALE, 
PURCHASE, 
POSSESSION, 
TRANSPORTATION, IMPORTATION, AND EXPORTATION OF ALL 
SHARKS AND RAYS OR ANY PART THEREOF IN  THE COUNTRY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Being an archipelagic country, there is no doubt that we are blessed with 
abundant marine species, which not only contribute to our advantage in natural 
resources but also serve as a tourism gem. The Philippines is known as the world's 
center of marine biodiversity because of its aquatic resources.
Sharks play a vital role in our marine ecosystem and are considered indicators of 
a healthy marine ecosystem. They are considered among the apex predators of our 
waters and help keep marine population healthy by feeding on the weak, sick and old 
fishes, and keep a balanced marine food chain. 
The removal of sharks from an 
ecosystem has the potential to create significant imbalance to the predator-prey 
interaction in our marine environment.
Of the many marine species found in the country, sharks and rays are among 
those that attract tourists, scuba diving enthusiasts, and the scientific community. 
However, sharks and rays are also among the most threatened groups of marine 
species not only in our country but likewise around the world. In some areas of the 
country, sharks and stingrays are consumed as delicacies. Dried shark meat from devil 
rays and whale sharks are popular among some locals. 
According to the Food and 
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, world trade in shark commodities is 
close to USD 1 billion per year and by allowing the poaching and trade of these 
cartilaginous fishes in our territories, we become players in the declining population of 
sharks and rays. 
Thus, saving sharks mean that we are saving the future of our 
waters, and the lives of the people who depend on it.
The government needs to focus its attention to ensure that these chordates are 
sustainably managed and protected. Through this proposed measure, the issues on the 
conservation, management, and utilization of sharks and rays will be addressed. It 
seeks to ban, among others, the sale, purchase, possession, and trade of all shark and 
ray species, its derivatives and by-products and provide penalties for violations thereof.
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S p n n tr
($ f(ift of the
•16 
NOV 17 
P3 5 9
SENATE
S. B. No. 1245
R F  r
_________ Introduced by Senator JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI_________
AN ACT
BANNING THE CATCHING, SALE, PURCHASE, POSSESSION, 
TRANSPORTATION, IMPORTATION, AND EXPORTATION OF ALL 
SHARKS AND RAYS OR ANY PART THEREOF IN  THE COUNTRY
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in the Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. S hort Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Sharks and Rays
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Conservation Act"
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SECTION 2. Declaration o f Policy. — Pursuant to the objectives of the
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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, it is
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the declared policy of the State to conserve, protect, and sustain the management of
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the country's shark and ray population. Thus, the State shall ensure the maintenance of
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ecological balance and marine biodiversity for the benefit of present and future
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generations of Filipinos.
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SECTION 3. Prohibited Acts and Penalties. -  It shall be unlawful to catch
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sharks and rays in the Philippine waters or to sell, purchase, possess, transport, import,
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or export the same, in any state, condition or form, or any part thereof.
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It shall also be unlawful to harm or to kill sharks and rays in the course of
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catching other species of fish. Sharks and rays, which are accidentally included in the
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catch in the course of catching other species of fish, shall be immediately released
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unharmed to the sea.
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To eliminate the demand that result in the massive killing of sharks and rays, the
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selling and serving of sharks in soup and all food menus with sharks and rays by-
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products shall likewise be prohibited.
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Specifically, the following illegal acts shall be prohibited and shall be punished
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with the corresponding penalties:
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a) Killing, destroying, or inflicting injury on sharks and rays shall be punished
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with a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) to One Million
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Pesos (P1,000,000.00) or imprisonment of a minimum of six (6) years and
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one (1) day to twelve (12) years, or both such fine and imprisonment;
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b) Catching, selling, purchasing and possessing of sharks and rays, and their by-
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products and derivatives shall be punished with a fine of Fifty Thousand


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Pesos (P50,000.00) to Five Hundred Thousand Pesos or imprisonment of a 
minimum of four (4) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years, or both such 
fine and imprisonment; and
c) Transporting, importing, and exporting of sharks and rays, and their by­
products and derivatives shall be punished with a fine of Thirty Thousand 
Pesos (P30,000.00) or Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000.00) or 
imprisonment of a minimum of two (2) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) 
years, or both such fine and imprisonment.
If the violation is committed by a juridical person or government entity, the head 
of office and the person responsible for the violation shall be held liable, without 
prejudice to any further liability for violation of any provision of other applicable laws.
SEC. 4. Im plem entation. -  The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 
(BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall be the lead agency in the 
implementation of this Act. The Department of Trade and industry (DTI), the Philippine 
Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, other law enforcement agencies, and LGUs 
shall likewise assist in the implementation of this Act.
The BFAR in coordination with the Department of Environmental and Natural 
Resources (DENR), shall issue the necessary orders to list all sharks and rays as 
endangered species. The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Commission 
on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) shall provide the necessary assistance to the BFAR, the 
DENR, and the LGUs in identifying the habitats and feeding grounds of sharks and rays 
and declare the same as protected.
Following the identification of the habitats and fishing grounds of these marine 
species, the BFAR shall recommend to the Secretary of the DENR, the issuance of an 
order declaring these areas a protected areas and pursuant thereto, shall ensure that all 
local governments and the media, among others, are appropriately informed.
SEC. 5. Inform ation and Education. -  The BFAR, the DENR, the DOT, the 
DTI, the 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. 6. Im plem enting Rules and Regulations. -  Within sixty (60) days after 
the effectivity of this Act, the BFAR, in coordination with the DENR, the DOT, and the 
DTI shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of 
this Act.
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SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If any section or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining sections or provisions with the provisions not 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. E ffectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect (15) days from its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,