II 
* :  
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
- 
i 
S. B. No. 
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR R O U S  
E X P L A N A T O R Y  N O T E  
This bill seeks to promote the development of the commercial handline fishing 
industry by recognizing the same under Philippine law, thereby complying with the new 
fishing regukti-ons of theNestern and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission of which the 
Philippines is a member. 
Commercial handline fishing for large tuna is an important component of the 
Mindanao economy, particularly for General Santos City and Saranggani Province. The 
tuna handline fishing fleet consists of over 2,500 large bancas (pumpboats), employing 
over 3,000 fishermen, and producing over 30,000 metric tons of high-value tuna 
annually. The industry nets some P4.5 billion in returns while frozen sashimi processing 
accounts for over P2.5 billion worth of exported finished steaks and sashimi blocks 
annually. 
Due to the increase in demand for large high-quality tuna abroad, the Mind ao 
tuna fishing fleet has increased in size throughout the years. Whereas in the past, b ats 
where relatively small in size, fishing vessels today are in the 10-20 gross ton c ass 
abound. However, fishing vessels remain to be of the simple traditional design with 
outriggers on either side of the hull. Moreover, handline fishery remains to be the 
predominant mode used by tuna fishermen. This method is environmentally safe and 
prudent in terms of resource management because it targets only large mature tuna. 
allowing them to fish in international waters in the Pacific where large schools of t 
a 
The stricter fishing regulations adopted by the Western and Central Pacific 
Fisheries Commission may, however, prove to be detrimental to the development of the 
industry if Philippine law is not amended to accommodate the vessels used and practice 
of handline fishing. These regulations provide that it shall be the responsibility of the 
flag state to assure that each of its vessels are registered and licensed to fish outside of its 
waters. Otherwise, they shall be barred access to international fishing grounds. Under 
current Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) regulations, however, no 
handline fishing vessel will qualify for registration to fish outside our waters. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to address this concern by amending pertinent 
provisions of the Fisheries Code of 1998 to include handline fishing in the definition of 
commercial fishing and allow the registration of handline fishing vessels. By so doing, 
we shall be in compliance with international fishing conventions and ensure that our 
handline fishing vessels will have continuous access to international waters for years to 
come. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate en 
requested. 
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. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
“SEC. 4 Definition of Terms. As used in this Code, the following terms 
phrases shall mean as follows: 
x x x  
BY: 
t 
S E N A T E  
S.B.No. 
19 
and 
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR ROXAS 
AN ACT 
TO PROMOTE THE COMMERCIAL HANDLINE FISHING INDUSTRY 
BY DEFINING COMMERCIAL HANDLINE FISHING AND PROVIDING 
PERTINENT GOVERNMENT REGULATION, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8550 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE 
PHILIPPINE 
- 
FISHERIES CODE OF 1998” 
.- 
Be it enacted bv the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 


SECTZON 2. Section 28 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 
SECTZON 3. Section 32 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 32. Fishing by Philippine Commercial Fishing Fleet in International 
Waters - Fishing vessels of Philippine registry may operate in international 
waters or waters of other countries which allow fishing operations: Provided, That 
they comply with the safety, manning and other requirements of the Philippine 
Coast Guard, Maritime Industry Authority and other agencies concerned. 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY 
- 
SHEL 
PROMULGATE   MANNING 
AND 
SAFETY RULES 
AND 
REGULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL HANDLINE FISHING VESSELS 
THAT REFLECT THE 
SIMPLICITY AND 
TRADIONAL NATURE 
THEREOF; Provided, however, That they secure x x x.” 
SECTZON4. Section 36 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 36. Complement of Fishing Vessels. Every commercial fi ing 
vessel of Philippine registry when actually operated, shall be manne 
in 
accordance with the requirements of the Philippine Merchant Marine rules I 
and 
regulations: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE MARITIME INDUSTRY 
AUTHORITY 
SHALL 
PROMULGATE 
MANNING 
RULES 
AND 
REGULATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL HANDLINE FISHING VESSELS 
THAT REFLECT THE , SIMPLICITY AND TRADITIONAL NATURE 
THEREOF.” 
SECTZON 5. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days after its publication in two 
(2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,