NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1432
*22 OCT 27 P4:08
RECEIVED BY.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
REGULATING THE CATCHING, SALE, PURCHASE, POSSESSION, 
TRANSPORTATION, IMPORTATION, AND EXPORTATION OF ALL SHARKS, 
RAYS, CHIMAERAS, AND ANY PART THEREOF IN THE COUNTRY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is located in a region called the Coral Triangle - an area of 
immense importance as it is recognized as the global core for marine biodiversity. With 
more than 200 species of sharks and rays in the Philippines, our country plays a vital 
role in conserving these ecologically and economically important marine species. 
Despite the lack of appreciation on the various roles of the sharks 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 a vital role in our marine ecosystem and are 
considered indicators of a healthy marine ecosystem.1
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 may significantly change the 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 fisheries
1 Official Website of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. Accessed from: 
http://mwwphilippines.org/leam-more-about-shark-rays/


in many developing countries. Thus, saving sharks means that we are saving the 
future of our waters, and the lives of the people who depend on it.
Due to their unique life cycle, sharks and their relatives reproduce slowly, 
making them particularly vulnerable to threats from overfishing, pollution, unregulated 
tourism, and climate change. Without special conservation efforts, it will be difficult to 
arrest its declining population.
The bill strengthens 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 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 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.
Approval of this bill is most earnestly sought.
RAMON
EVILLA, JR.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. No. 1^32
of tlif
•22 OCT 27 P4 :08
RECEIVED BY.
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
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 of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
CHAPTER I
2 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Shark, Rays and
4 
Chimaeras Conservation Act of the Philippine^'.
5 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to:
6 
a) Protect environmental rights of the people, promote conservation and ensure
7 
sustainable and equitable utilization of its coastal areas, habitats and species, including
8 
sharks, in conformity with the 1987 Constitution, the "Philippine Fisheries Code of
9 
1998", as amended by Republic Act (RA) No. 10654, and the "National Wildlife
10 
Conservation and Protection Act'*
11 
b) Ensure, for the benefit and enjoyment of the Filipino people, the judicious
12 
and wise utilization, protection, conservation and management on a sustainable basis
13 
of its coastal resources with the necessity of maintaining a sound ecological balance,
14 
and protecting and enhancing the quality of the environment;
15 
c) Protect the rights of the small and marginal fishers in the preferential use of
16 
communal coastal and fishery resources;


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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 of 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 RA 7586, otherwise 
known as the ''National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act'*, 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 (DA). — 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 RA 7611.
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 and declare the same as protected.


1 
CHAPTER II
2 
DEFINITION OF TERMS
3 
Sec. 5. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
4 
hereby defined:
5 
a. By-catch refers to the incidental take of undesirable size or age classes
6 
of the target species or the incidental take of other non-target species
7 
or protected, endangered, or threatened species;
8 
b. By-product or derivatives refer to any part taken or substance extracted
9 
from sharks, in raw or in processed form. These include, but are not
10 
limited to, preserved sharks (curios), cartilage, gill rakers, fins, oil, skin,
11 
and teeth;
12 
c. Corridor refers to an artificial or natural avenue where wide ranging
13 
animals can travel, plants can propagate, genetic interchange can occur,
14 
populations can move in response to environmental changes and natural
15 
disasters, and threatened species can be replenished from other areas.
16 
Marine corridors encompass mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds;
17 
d. Critical Habitat refers to a place or environment that contains physical
18 
or biological features essential to its conservation;
19 
e. Dedicated tourism interaction site refers to well-defined areas for marine
20 
wildlife tourism, either managed as a sanctuary/reserve/protected area
21 
or not, focused on a particular species or several species, with specified
22 
operating times;
23 
f. Discarded by-catch refers to non-target species that are discarded at
24 
sea;
25 
g. Disturbance refers to any intentional and unintentional acts that shall
26 
disrupt the natural cycle and activities of marine wildlife for the short or
27 
long-term, without necessarily causing any physical injury to the same,
28 
such as but not limited to, acts producing noise, pollution, degradation
29 
of habitat, blockage of movement, displacement, and the like;
30 
h. Endangered Rare and/or Threatened Shark Species refers to species in
31 
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 
Species;
i. 
Finning refers to the practice of removing and retaining shark fins;
j. 
Fuii Utiiization refers to use or consumption of the entire animal;
k. Fiabitar refers to place or environment where species or subspecies 
naturally occur or have naturally established their population;
l. 
Harassment XQ:^Qxs to 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 refers to opportunistic, 
accidental or unintentional interaction with marine wildlife in tourism and 
nontourism sites;
n. 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;
0. Secretary refers to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA);
p. Shark refers to cartilaginous fishes belonging to the class 
Chondrichthyes, which includes true sharks, skates, rays, and 
chimaeras;
q. Shark Sanctuary refers to a designated area where sharks cannot be 
caught;
r. 
Traceability refers to the ability to trace and follow food or substance 
intended to be or expected to be incorporated into food or product, 
through all stages of fishing, production, processing and distribution;
s. 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; and
t. Utilized bycatch refers to non-target species that are traded or 
consumed, in part or whole.


1 
CHAPTER III
2 
CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF SHARKS, RAYS, AND CHIMAERAS
3 
ARTICLE I
4 
General Provisions
5 
Sec. 6. Information Systems, Interaction, Reiease and Possession of By-
6 
Products and Derivatives and By-catch. -
7 
a. Wildlife Information. - All activities, as subsequently manifested under
8 
this Chapter, shall be authorized by the Secretary, upon proper
9 
evaluation of best available information or scientific data showing that
10 
the activity is, or for a purpose, not detrimental to the survival of the
11 
species or subspecies involved and/or their habitat. For this purpose, the
12 
Secretary shall regularly update wildlife information through research.
13 
b. Sharks in Captivity. - No person or entity shall be allowed possession of
14 
sharks, unless such person or entity can prove financial and technical
15 
capability and facility to maintain said species: Provided, That the source
16 
was not obtained in violation of this Act, and the source of stock is
17 
verifiable to monitor mortality. The DA-BFAR will develop husbandry and
18 
holding tank standards, as well as a permitting system for the keeping
19 
of sharks in captivity.
20 
c. Swim with Captive Shark Programs. - The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year
21 
after the effectivity of this Act, shall develop human-shark interaction
22 
guidelines in captivity.
23 
d. Tourism Interaction. - The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after the
24 
effectivity of this Act, shall develop human-shark interaction guidelines
25 
in the wild.
26 
e. Research Interaction. - The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after the
27 
effectivity of this Act, shall develop research and researcher interaction
28 
guidelines for studies focusing on sharks.
29 
f. Non-Detriment Findings (NDF). - The DA-BFAR, within three (3) years
30 
after the effectivity of this Act, shall determine the NDF for targeted and
31 
incidentally caught shark species.


1 
g. Collection and/or Possession of By-Products and Derivatives. - The
2 
collection and possession of species shall only be allowed when the
3 
results of the NDF show that, despite certain extent of collection, the
4 
population of such species can still remain viable and capable of
5 
recovering its numbers. For this purpose, the DA-BFAR shall establish a
6 
schedule and volume of allowable harvests.
7 
h. Handling and Release Practices. - The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after
8 
the effectivity of this Act, shall develop acceptable handling and release
9 
guidelines from fisheries for all types of protected and/or unwanted
10 
sharks based on the best available science and safe release experience.
11 
i. By-catch reduction measures and reporting mechanisms. - The DA-
12 
BFAR, within three (3) years after the effectivity of this Act, shall provide
13 
technical and financial assistance on research for gear restriction, and
14 
identify modified fishing gears to reduce shark by-catch mortality, which
15 
may include bait restrictions, use of different fishing hooks, varying hook
16 
depth, use of repellents, reducing soak time, and reducing number of
17 
hooks. The DA-BFAR shall also develop a standard reporting system for
18 
sharks that are by-catch.
19 
j. Release and Reporting of By-catch. - Live sharks that have not been
20 
assessed through the NDF shall be immediately released unharmed to
21 
the sea. Dead sharks shall be handed over to the DA-BFAR for proper
22 
documentation and disposal. Any incident must be reported to the
23 
competent authority using the standard reporting system.
24
25 
ARTICLE II
26 
Protection of Vulnerable, Threatened, Endangered, and
27 
Critically Endangered Shark Species
28 
Sec. 7. Determination of Threatened Species: Vuinerabie, Endangered, or
29 
Criticaiiy Endangered Species. - The DA-BFAR, within two (2) years after the effectivity
30 
of this Act, shall determine whether shark species or subspecies of a population or
31 
subpopulation is threatened (vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered) based
32 
on available scientific data and with due regard to internationally accepted criteria.


1 
such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (lUCN). Criteria shail
2 
include, but are not limited to, the foliowing:
3 
a. Present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or
4 
range;
5 
b. Over-utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational
6 
purposes;
7 
c. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and
8 
d. Other natural or man-made factors affecting the existence of sharks. The DA-
9 
BFAR shall review, revise and publish the list of categorized threatened sharks
10 
within two (2) years after the effectivity of this Act. Thereafter, the list shall be
11 
updated regularly or as the need arises. Provided, That a species listed as
12 
vulnerable or threatened shall not be removed therein from within three (3)
13 
years following its initial listing. Upon filing of a petition based on substantial
14 
scientific information of any person seeking for the addition or deletion of a
15 
species from the list, the DA-BFAR shall evaluate in accordance with the
16 
relevant factors stated in the first paragraph of this section, the status of the
17 
species concerned, and action on said petition within a reasonable period. The
18 
DA-BFAR shall also prepare and publish a list of sharks, which resembles so
19 
closely in appearance with listed threatened wildlife, and which species shail
20 
likewise be categorized as threatened.
21
22 
ARTICLE III
23 
Commercial and Municipal Fisheries
24 
Sec. 8. Identification of Critical Habitats, Reference Points, Limits and Seasons.
25 
- a. Identification of Critical Habitats. - The DA-BFAR, within one (1) year after
26 
the effectivity of this Act, shall identify critical habitats for sharks and establish these
27 
as shark sanctuaries.
28 
b. Development of Target Reference Points (TRP) and Limit Reference Points
29 
(LRP). - The DA-BFAR shall, within three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act,
30 
determine TRP and LRP based on the results of national stock assessments and the
31 
precautionary principle.


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c. Size Limitations. - The DA-BFAR shall, within one (1) year from the effectivity
2 
of this Act, determine the size limits for sharks.
3 
d. Catch Ceiling Limitations. - The DA-BFAR may prescribe limitations or quota
4 
on the total quantity of sharks captured, for a specified period of time and specified
5 
area based on the best available evidence, harvest strategies, and target limits. Catch
6 
ceilings may be established upon the concurrence and approval or recommendation
7 
of such special agency and the concerned LGU in consultation with the Fisheries
8 
Aquatic and Resource Management Council (FARMC) for conservation or ecological
9 
purposes.
10 
e. Establishment of Closed Season. - The Secretary may declare, through public
11 
notice in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in public service
12 
announcements, whichever is applicable, at least five (5) days before the
13 
declaration, a closed season in any or all Philippine waters outside the boundary
14 
of municipal waters and in bays, for conservation and ecological purposes.
15 
Provided, however. That this shall be done only upon the concurrence and
16 
approval or recommendation of such special agency and the concerned LGU
17 
and FARMC: Provided, further, That in municipal waters, fishery management
18 
areas and other areas reserved for the use of the municipal fisherfolk, closed
19 
season may be established by the concerned LGU in consultation with the
20 
FARMC for conservation or ecological purposes. The FARMCs may also
21 
recommend the establishment of closed seasons in municipal waters, fisheries
22 
management and other areas reserved for the use of the municipal fisherfolk.
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f. Support to Fisherfolk. - The Department and LGUs shall provide support to
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commercial and municipal fisherfolk, through appropriate technology and
25 
research, credit, production and marketing assistance and other services such
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as, but not limited to, training for additional/supplementary livelihood.
27
28 
ARTICLE IV
29 
Traceability
30 
Sec. 9. System, Labeling and Identification. - All business operators identified
31 
in the supply chain of shark trading and utilization shall cooperate with the DA-BFAR


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in carrying out official controls, and shall have responsibilities including, but not limited 
to, the following:
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;
ill. 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.
b. Labeling or identification. - Business operators must ensure that their products 
are adequately labeled or otherwise identified through relevant documentation. 
They must aiso comply with the labelling requirements of the country 
destination.
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;
11. When the shark is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease;
iii. 
When it is deemed necessary to put an end to the misery suffered by 
the shark;
iv. 
When the shark is killed or destroyed after it has been used in authorized 
research or experiments.


1 
b. Inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of
2 
sharks;
3 
c. Harassing sharks;
4 
d. Disturbing sharks and their habitats;
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e. Effecting any of the following acts in critical habitat(s):
6 
i. Dumping of waste products detrimental to sharks;
7 
ii. 
Squatting or otherwise occupying any portion of the critical habitat;
8 
iii. 
Mineral exploration and/or extraction;
9 
f. Introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without permits;
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g. Finning, collecting, hunting, possessing, importing, exporting, or re-exporting
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sharks, their by-products and derivatives without the result of the NDF and full
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traceability at all stages, from collection to production, processing, transport,
13 
storage, and distribution;
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h. Falsely advertising or mislabeling any product, which could mislead consumers;
15 
i. Obstruction of corridors; and
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j. Use of shark wires.
17
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ARTICLE V
19 
Penalties
20 
Sec. 11. Fines and Penalties. - The following fines and penalties shall be
21 
imposed for violations of this Act. -
22 
a. Killing, taking, keeping in captivity, inflicting injury, harassing, and trading
23 
vulnerable, threatened, endangered, or critically endangered species;
24 
i. Imprisonment of two (2) years and one (1) day to four (4) years and/or
25 
a fine of Thirty Thousand pesos (P30,000.00) to Three Hundred
26 
thousand pesos (P300,000.00) per animal, if inflicted or undertaken
27 
against vulnerable species;
28 
ii. Imprisonment of one (1) year and one (1) day to two (2) years and/or
29 
a fine of Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) to Two hundred thousand
30 
pesos (P200,000.00) per animal, if inflicted or undertaken against other
31 
threatened species;
10


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iii. Imprisonment of four (4) years and one (1) day to six (6) years and/or
2 
a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Five hundred thousand
3 
pesos (P500,000.00) per animal, if inflicted or undertaken against
4 
endangered species; and
5 
iv. Imprisonment of a minimum of six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve
6 
(12) years and/or a fine of One Hundred Thousand pesos (P 100,000.00)
7 
to One Million pesos (P 1,000,000.00) per animal, if inflicted or
8 
undertaken against species listed as critically endangered.
9 
b. Inflicting injury which cripples and/or impairs the reproductive system of
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sharks: imprisonment of one (1) month to six (6) months and/or a fine of Five
11 
thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), if
12 
inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.
13 
c. Harassing sharks: imprisonment of one (1) month to six (6) months and/or a
14 
fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty Thousand pesos
15 
(P20,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.
16 
d. Disturbing sharks and their habitats: imprisonment of one (1) month to six (6)
17 
months and/or a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) to Twenty Thousand
18 
pesos (P20,000.00), if inflicted or undertaken against other wildlife species.
19 
e. Effecting acts in critical habitat(s): For illegal acts under paragraph (e) of the
20 
preceding section, the following penalties and/or fines shall be imposed: an
21 
imprisonment of one (1) month to eight (8) years and/or a fine of Five thousand
22 
pesos (P5,000.00) to Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) shall be imposed.
23 
f. Introducing, reintroducing, or restocking of shark species without permits: an
24 
imprisonment of one (1) month to eight (8) years and/or a fine of Five thousand
25 
pesos (P5,000.00) to Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) shall be imposed.
26 
g. Finning; Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the owner,
27 
operator, boat captain and master fisherman of the vessel, or the chief
28 
executive officer in a corporation, or the managing partner in a partnership,
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shall be punished with confiscation of the catch and fishing gears, and a fine
30 
three (3) times the value of the catch or the value indicated below, whichever
31 
is higher:
11


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i. 
Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for municipal fishing: Provided, 
That if the offender fails to pay the fine, he shall render community 
service;
ii. 
Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for small- scale commercial fishing;
iii. 
One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for medium-scale 
commercial fishing; and
iv. 
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.
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.
Falsely advertising or mislabeling any product, which could mislead consumers; 
Failure on the part of the shipping or forwarding company from whose
12


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possession the fish or fishery species imported or exported are discovered or
2 
seized to fully cooperate in the investigation conducted by concerned
3 
government authorities shall create a presumption that there is connivance or
4 
conspiracy between the shipping company and the shipper to perpetrate the
5 
aforementioned offense. Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the
6 
offender shall be punished with an administrative fine of five (5) times the value
7 
of the species or Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) to Five hundred
8 
thousand pesos (P500,000.00), whichever is higher, and forfeiture and/or
9 
destruction of the species. Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall
10 
be punished with eight (8) years of imprisonment and fine of twice the
11 
administrative fine, forfeiture and/or destruction of the species: Provided, That
12 
offenders shall be banned from being members or stockholders of companies
13 
currently engaged in fisheries or companies to be created in the future, the
14 
guidelines for which shall be promulgated by the Department.
15 
j. Obstruction of corridors; Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the
16 
offender shall be punished with an administrative fine of One Hundred Fifty
17 
Thousand Pesos (P150,000.00) to Five Hundred Thousand Pesos
18 
(P500,000.00), dismantling of the obstruction at the expense of the offender,
19 
and the suspension or revocation of the permit or license. Upon conviction by
20 
a court of law, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment of seven (7)
21 
years to twelve (12) years and fine of twice the amount of the administrative
22 
fine, dismantling of the obstruction at the expense of the offender, and the
23 
suspension or revocation of the permit or license.
24 
k. Use of shark wires. Upon a summary finding of administrative liability, the
25 
owner, operator, boat captain and master fisherman of the vessel, or the chief
26 
executive officer in a corporation, or the managing partner in a partnership,
27 
shall be punished with confiscation of the catch and fishing gears, and a fine
28 
three (3) times the value of the catch or the value indicated below, whichever
29 
is higher:
30 
i. Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) for municipal fishing: Provided,
31 
That if the offender fails to pay the fine, he shall render community
32 
service;
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1 
ii. 
Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for small- scale commercial fishing;
2 
iii. 
One hundred thousand pesos (PlOO/000.00) for medium-scale
3 
commercial fishing; and
4 
iv. Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) for large-scaie commercial
5 
fishing. Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished
6 
with imprisonment of two (2) years to six (6) years and fine equivalent
7 
to twice the administrative fine, confiscation and forfeiture of fishing
8 
gear and catch.
9 
Sec. 12. Escalation Clause. - The fines herein prescribed shail be increased by
10 
at least ten percent (10%) every three (3) years to compensate for inflation and to
11 
maintain the deterrent function of such fines.
12
13 
ARTICLE VI
14 
Miscellaneous Provisions
15 
Sec. 13. Flagship Species. - Local government units shall initiate conservation
16 
measures for endemic and/or economically valuable species in their areas. For this
17 
purpose, they may adopt flagship species such as the whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
18 
or thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus), which shall serve as emblems of conservation
19 
for the local government concerned.
20 
Sec. 14. Information and Education. - The BFAR, DENR, DOT, DTI, LGUs, and
21 
other academic institutions shall undertake a nationwide information and education
22 
campaign to adequately inform the populace of the value of sharks and rays in the
23 
marine ecosystem, and of the importance of preserving their respective habitats and
24 
feeding grounds.
25 
Sec. 15. Transition Period. - Due to the substantially new requirement imposed
26 
by this Act, a transition period of three (3) years from its entry into force is provided.
27 
During the transition period, sharks, their by-products and derivatives may be sold
28 
and traded, and stocks that have been produced before the end of the transitional
29 
period may continue to be sold or exported until exhausted.
30 
Sec. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within six (6) months
31 
following the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with
32 
the DTI, DOT, and the Committees on Environment and Ecology of the Senate and
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1 
the House of Representatives, respectively, shall promulgate respective rules and
2 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. Whenever appropriate,
3 
coordination in the preparation and implementation of rules and regulations on joint
4 
and inseparable issues shall be done by the departments. The commitments of the
5 
State to international agreements and protocols shall likewise be a consideration in
6 
the implementation of this Act.
7 
The non-promulgation of the rules and regulations provided under this section
8 
shall not prevent the immediate implementation of this Act upon effectivity.
9 
Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
10 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions hereof not
11 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
12 
Sec. 18. Repeating Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
13 
order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the provisions
14 
of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
15 
Sec. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
16 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation
17 
in the Philippines.
Approved,
15