Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila  
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. __________ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative Eduardo Roa Rama Jr. 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our Constitution recognizes the role of the State in protecting and advancing the right of 
the Filipino people to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of 
nature. We must all be agents in taking steps to care for, preserve and protect our environment if 
it is our intention to care for our people. 
In 2019, the Philippine Clearing-House Mechanism of the Convention on Biological 
Diversity published its 6th National Report highlighting that our country was one of the world’s 
most rich countries in biodiversity. However, it is also at the axis of countries with the most 
biodiversity loss and among the top ten countries with the most number of species threatened with 
extinction. 
Among these species at a high risk of extinction are sharks, rays and chimaeras. According 
to the Save Sharks Network Philippines (“SSNP”), there are an estimated 200 species of sharks 
found in the Philippines alone, but less than a quarter of these species are protected by legislation. 
Sharks are vital actors in maintaining the biodiversity of our ecosystems and in promoting our 
country’s economy both in the fields of tourism and for our fisherfolk. 
The SSNP has found that sharks are made vulnerable to several threats: exploitation, 
directed fisheries, accidental fishery or bycatch, marine debris, habitat destruction, weak law 
enforcement, unregulated tourism and most of all, their low reproductive potential. In this light, 
it is imperative to adapt specific conservation and protection strategies for these species. 
This bill seeks to adopt, among other things, the Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries 
Management (“EAFM”). The EAFM is advocated by the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, 
Fisheries and Food Security (“CTI-CFF”) Working Group, which is a group of six Southeast Asian 
July 29, 2022
1:12 pm
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countries, including the Philippines. The EAFM addresses various needs and desires of society 
“without threatening the ecosystems and marine resources for the benefit of the future generation.” 
         Support for the enactment of this measure is earnestly requested. 
REP. EDUARDO ROA RAMA JR. 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. __________ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Representative Eduardo Roa Rama Jr. 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF SHARKS, RAYS AND 
CHIMAERAS IN THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Shark Conservation Act of 
the Philippines.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policies of the state to: 
a.
Protect environmental rights of the people, promote conservation and ensure
sustainable utilization of its coastal areas, habitats and species, including sharks and
related species in the class Chondrichthyes, in conformity with the Constitution;
Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998,
as amended by Republic Act 10654; and Republic Act No. 9147, otherwise known
as the Wildlife Resources 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;
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d. Allow a community-based coastal management approach to empower the 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. Adopt an ecosystems-based fisheries management approach striving to balance 
diverse objectives by taking into account knowledge and uncertainties about biotic, 
abiotic and human components of ecosystems and their interactions and applying 
an integrated approach to fisheries within ecologically meaningful boundaries; and 
f. 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 
 
 
SEC. 3. Scope of Application. – The provision of this Act shall be enforceable in 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 System (“NIPAS”) Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 11038; 
critical habitats; and all Philippine flagged fishing vessels operating in areas governed by a 
Regional Fisheries Management Organization, in the high seas, or in waters of other coastal states. 
 
 
SEC. 4. Jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. – The Department of Agriculture 
(“DA”) shall have jurisdiction over the catching, sale, purchase, possession, transportation, 
importation and exportation of sharks, rays, and chimaeras and all declared aquatic habitats. In the 
Province of Palawan, jurisdiction herein conferred is vested on the Palawan Council for 
Sustainable Development pursuant to Republic Act No. 7611 insofar as the regulation over the 
activities described in the foregoing paragraph. 
 
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 (“PCG”), the Philippine National Police (“PNP”), other law enforcement agencies, 
and Local Government Units (“LGUs”) shall likewise assist in the implementation of this Act.  
 
The Department of Tourism (“DOT”) shall provide the necessary assistance to the DA-
BFAR and the LGUs in identifying shark ecotourism sites.  
 
 
 


 
CHAPTER II 
DEFINITION OF TERMS  
 
SEC. 5. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act: 
 
a. Bycatch refers to the incidental take of undesirable size or age classes of the target 
species, or the incidental take of other non-target species or protected, endangered, 
or threatened species;  
 
b. Corridor refers to an artificial or natural avenue where wide-ranging animals can 
travel to, plants can propagate in, 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;  
 
c. Critical Habitat refers to a place or environment that contains physical or biological 
features essential to its conservation; 
 
d. Finning refers to the practice of removing and retaining shark fins;  
 
e. Habitat refers to the place or environment where species or subspecies naturally 
occur or have naturally established their population; 
 
f. Non-detriment Finding (NDF) refers to a science-based risk assessment where the 
vulnerability of a species is considered in relation to how well it is managed; 
 
g. Shark refers to cartilaginous fishes belonging to the class Chondrichthyes, which 
includes true sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras; 
 
h. Shark Sanctuary refers to designated area where sharks cannot be caught; 
 
i. Traceability refers to 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; 
 
j. Trade refers to the act of engaging in the exchange, exportation, importation, re-
exportation, purchase or sale of sharks, their derivatives or by-products, locally or 
internationally; 
 


 
k. Utilized bycatch refers to non-target species that are traded or consumed, in part or 
whole. 
 
 
CHAPTER III 
ARTICLE I 
CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF SHARKS, RAYS, AND CHIMAERAS 
 
 
SEC. 6. Wildlife Information. – All activities, as subsequently manifested under this 
Chapter, shall be authorized by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, hereinafter referred 
to as “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. 
 
 
SEC. 7. Sharks in Captivity – No person or entity shall be allowed possession of a shark 
unless such person or entity can prove financial and technical capability and facility to maintain 
said specie: Provided, That the shark was not obtained in violation of this Act, and the source of 
stock is verifiable in order that mortality can be monitored accurately. The DA-BFAR will develop 
husbandry and holding tank standards as well as a permitting system for the keeping of sharks in 
captivity. 
 
 
Provided further, that sharks in rescue and rehabilitation centers and those undergoing 
rehabilitation and acclimation shall not be subjected to commercial public exhibition.  
 
 
SEC. 8. Human-Shark Tourism and Research Interaction Guidelines. – The DA-
BFAR, within one (1) year after the effectivity of this Act, shall develop Human-Shark Tourism 
and Research Interaction guidelines in captivity as well as in the wild. 
 
 
These guidelines shall be developed and regularly updated in accordance with existing 
regulations.  
 
 
SEC. 9. 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, rays and chimaeras.  
 
 
SEC. 10. 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. The NDF for targeted shark species and those affected as bycatch shall be determined 
according to sustainability of harvest. 


 
 
 
SEC. 11. Collection and/or Possession of By-Products and Derivatives. – The collection 
and possession of shark, ray and chimaera species shall only be allowed when the results of the 
NDF show that, despite the extent of species collection, the population of such species can still 
remain viable and capable of recovering in numbers. For this purpose, the DA-BFAR shall 
establish a schedule and volume of allowable harvests. 
 
 
SEC. 12. Handling and Release Practices. – The DA-BFAR within one (1) year after the 
effectivity of this Act, shall develop acceptable fisheries handling and release guidelines for all 
types of protected and/or unwanted sharks, rays, and chimaeras based on the best available science 
and safe release experience. 
 
 
SEC. 13. Bycatch 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 gears to reduce shark 
bycatch mortality. The DA-BFAR shall also develop a standard reporting system for sharks that 
are bycatch. Measures may include, but will not be limited to bait restrictions, use of different 
fishing hooks, varying hook depth, use of repellents, reducing soak time, and reducing the number 
of hooks. 
 
 
SEC. 14. Release and Reporting of Bycatch. – Live 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 dismissal. Any incident must be reported to 
the competent authority using the standard reporting system.  
 
ARTICLE II 
PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE, THREATENED, ENDANGERED, AND 
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SHARK SPECIES 
 
 
SEC. 15. Determination of Threatened 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 (“IUCN”). Criteria include 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 mechanism; and 
d. Other natural or man-made factors affecting the existence of sharks. 
 


 
 
The DA-BFAR shall review, revise and publish the list of categorized threatened sharks 
within two (2) years after effectivity of this Act. Thereafter, the 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 wildlife.  
 
ARTICLE III 
COMMERCIAL AND MUNICIPAL FISHERIES 
 
 
SEC. 16. Identification of Critical Habitats. – The DA-BFAR within one (1) year after 
the effectivity of the Act, shall identify critical habitats for sharks and establish these as shark 
sanctuaries. This includes zones in marine protected areas and marine key biodiversity areas where 
appropriate conservation management measures shall be introduced. 
 
 
SEC. 17. Development of Target Reference Points (“TRP”) and Limit Reference 
Points (“LRP”). – The DA-BFAR shall, within three (3) years after the effectivity of the Act, 
determine TRP and LRP based on the results of national stock assessments and precautionary 
principle. 
 
 
SEC. 18. Catch Ceiling Limitations. – The DA-BFAR may prescribe limitations or 
quotas on the total quantity of shark captures, for a specified period of time and specified area 
based on the best available evidence, harvest strategies, and target limits. Catch ceilings may be 
established upon the concurrence and approval or recommendation of the agency and the 
concerned LGU in consultation with the Fisheries Aquatic and Resource Management COuncil 
(FARMC) for conservation or ecological purposes. 
 
 
SEC. 19. 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, a closed season in any or all Philippine waters outside the boundary of 
municipal waters and in bays, for conservation and ecological purposes; Provided, That the 
declaration shall not be made five (5) days before the start of such closed season; Provided, 
however, That the declaration shall be done only upon the concurrence and approval or 


 
recommendation of 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.  
 
 
SEC. 20. Support to Fisherfolk involved in Shark Fishery. – The DA and LGUs shall 
provide support to commercial and municipal fisherfolk through appropriate technology and 
research, 
credit, 
production 
and 
marketing 
assistance 
such 
as, 
training 
for 
additional/supplementary livelihood. 
 
ARTICLE IV 
TRACEABILITY 
 
All business operators identified in the in supply chain of shark trading and utilization shall 
cooperate with the DA-BFAR in carrying out official controls, and shall have responsibilities 
including the following: 
 
SEC. 21. 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, species, and fishing gear used; and 
iv. 
make this information available to DA-BFAR and their consumers.  
 
SEC. 22. 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 labeling requirements of the country destination.  
 
 
 
 
CHAPTER V 
ILLEGAL ACTS 
 


 
SECTION. 23. Illegal Acts. – Under this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to 
willfully and knowingly 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;  
ii. 
When the shark is afflicted with an incurable and/or communicable disease; 
iii. 
When it is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by the 
shark; and 
iv. 
When the shark is killed or destroyed after it has been used in authorized 
research or experiments. 
 
b. Inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of sharks; 
 
c. Disturbing and harassing sharks and their habitats; 
 
d. Effecting any of the following acts in critical habitats: 
 
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; 
 
e. Introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without permits;  
 
f. Finning; 
 
g. Collecting, hunting, possessing, importing, exporting, or re-exporting sharks, their 
by-products and derivatives without the result of the NDF and fully traceability at 
all stages, from collection to production, processing, transport, storage, and 
distribution; 
 
h. Falsely advertising or mislabeling any product, which could mislead consumers;  
 
i. Obstruction corridors used by sharks;  
 
j. Use of shark line and wire trace; and 
 
k. Commercial exhibition of live sharks in captivity that are undergoing rehabilitation. 


 
 
 
CHAPTER VI 
FINES AND PENALTIES 
 
SEC. 24. Fines and Penalties. –  
 
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 fine 
of Thirty Thousand (P30,000.00) Pesos to Three Hundred Thousand 
(P300,000.00) Pesos per animal if inflicted or undertaken against vulnerable 
species; 
ii. 
Imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years and/or fine 
of Twenty Thousand (P20,000.00) Pesos to Two Hundred Thousand 
(P200,000.00) Pesos per animal if inflicted or undertaken against other 
threatened species; 
iii. 
Imprisonment of four (4) years and one (1) day to six (6) years and/or fine 
of Fifty Thousand (P50,000.00) Pesos to Five Hundred Thousand 
(P500,000.00) Pesos per animal if inflicted or undertaken against 
endangered species; 
iv. 
Imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and/or 
fine of One Hundred Thousand (P100,000.00) Pesos to One Million 
(P1,000,000.00) Pesos 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 and one (1) day to six (6) months and/or fine of 
Five Thousand (P5,000.00) Pesos to Twenty Thousand (P20,000.00) Pesos, if 
inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species; 
 
c. Disturbing or harassing sharks and their habitats: imprisonment of one (1) month 
and one (1) day to six (6) months and/or fine of Five Thousand (P5,000.00) Pesos 
to Twenty Thousand (P20,000.00) Pesos, if inflicted or undertaken against other 
wildlife species; 
 
d. 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 and one (1) day to eight (8) years and/or fine of 


 
Five Thousand (P5,000.00) Pesos to Five Million (P5,000,000.00) Pesos shall be 
imposed. 
 
e. Introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without permits: an 
imprisonment of one (1) month and one (1) day to eight (8) years and/or fine of 
Five Thousand (P5,000.00) Pesos to Five Million (P5,000,000.00) Pesos shall be 
imposed. 
 
f. Finning: 
 
i. 
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 (P20,000.00) Pesos for municipal fishing: 
Provided, That if the offender fails to pay the fine, he shall render 
community service; 
2. Fifty Thousand (P50,000.00) Pesos for small-scale commercial 
fishing; 
3. One Hundred Thousand (P100,000.00) Pesos for medium-scale 
commercial fishing; 
4. Five Hundred Thousand (P500,000.00) Pesos for large-scale 
commercial fishing; 
ii. 
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished with 
imprisonment of two (2) years and one (1) day to six (6) years and fine 
equivalent to twice the administrative fine, confiscation and forfeiture of 
fishing gear and catch. 
 
g. 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. 
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.  
ii. 
Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall be 
punished with an administrative fine of five (5) times the value of the specie 
or Three Hundred Thousand (P300,000.00) Pesos to Five Hundred 
Thousand (P500,000.00) Pesos, whichever is higher, and forfeiture and/or 
destruction of the species.  
iii. 
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished with eight 
(8) years and one (1) day 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. 
 
h. False advertising or mislabeling any product which could mislead consumers; 
 
i. 
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. 
ii. 
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 (P300,000.00) Pesos to Five Hundred 
Thousand (P500,000.00) Pesos, whichever is higher, and forfeiture and/or 
destruction of the species. 
iii. 
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. Obstruction corridors used by sharks; 
 
i. 
Upon summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall be 
punished with an administrative fine of One Hundred Fifty Thousand 
(P150,000.00) Pesos to Five Hundred Thousand (P500,000.00) Pesos, 


 
dismantling of the obstruction at the expense of the offender, and the 
suspension or revocation of the permit or license. 
 
j. Use of shark line and wire trace: 
 
i. 
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 of three 
(3) times the value of the catch or the value indicated below, whichever is 
higher: 
1. Twenty Thousand (P20,000.00) Pesos for municipal fishing; 
Provided, That if the offender fails to pay the fine, he shall render 
community service; 
2. Fifty Thousand (P50,000.00) Pesos for small-scale commercial 
fishing; 
3. One Hundred Thousand (P100,000.00) Pesos for medium-scale 
commercial fishing; 
4. Five Hundred Thousand (P500,000.00) Pesos for large-scale 
commercial fishing; 
ii. 
Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished with 
imprisonment of two (2) years and one (1) day to six (6) years and fine 
equivalent to twice the administrative fine, confiscation and forfeiture of 
fishing gear and catch. 
 
k. Commercial exhibition of live sharks in captivity that are undergoing rehabilitation: 
 
i. 
Upon summary finding of administrative liability, the offender shall be 
punished with an administrative fine of One Hundred Fifty Thousand 
(P150,000.00) Pesos to Five Hundred Thousand (P500,000.00) Pesos, 
dismantling of the obstruction at the expense of the offender, and the 
suspension or revocation of the permit or license. 
 
 
SEC. 25. Escalation Clause. – The fines herein prescribed shall be increased at least ten 
percent (10%) every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to maintain the deterrent 
function of such fines. 
 
 
CHAPTER VII 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 


 
 
 
SEC. 26. Flagship Species. – LGUs 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. 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within twelve (12) months following 
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the 
Department 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. 
 
 
 
SEC. 28. Appropriations. – The DA shall immediately include in the Department’s 
program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act. 
 
 
SEC. 29. 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. 30. 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. 31. 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. 32. 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. 
 


 
 
SEC. 33. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,