NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Live fish trade involves the fish trade of both food fish as well as ornamental fish for 
aquariums with the majority of these fishes coming from Southeast Asia. 
Within the live food trade there are certain types of fish demanded more often by 
consumers, particularly smaller and medium-sized fish. According to the book While Stocks 
Last: The Live Reef Food Fish Trade consumer demand has caused the fish captured on coral 
reefs to be the most valued fish in the trade. 
 Consumers are important because they are directly purchasing these fish species at 
restaurants and stores. These preferences inevitably affect the biodiversity of marine life 
making certain fish species rarer to find. 
The live fish food trade is lucrative businesses which leads some fishermen to use 
illegal fishing methods and as is often the case, consumers are willing to pay large amounts 
of money on rare and fresh fish.  
Illegal live fish trade in the country is reaching alarming levels.  The trade of live reef 
fish in the country goes on unabated and at the rate it’s going, critical coral reefs particularly 
in the Palawan area will soon be gone due to dynamite and cyanide fishing,  threatening the 
sanctity of these endangered areas. It is estimated that since the 1960s, more than one million 
kilograms of cyanide has been squirted into Philippine reefs alone with the live fish trade 
continuously growing. In 1994, the Philippines exported 200,000 kg of live fish; by 2004 the 
Philippines were annually exporting 800,000 kg. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
  RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
March 16, 2023
7:00 pm
7659


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
BANNING THE USE OF CYANIDE, DYNAMITE AND ALL FORMS OF ILLEGAL FISHING 
TECHNIQUES IN THE LIVE FISH TRADE IN THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy – It is the policy of the State to protect and advance the 
right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony 
of nature.  
SEC. 2. Live fish trade includes the act of fishermen of using cyanide, dynamite or other forms 
of illegal fishing in catching fish alive in order to trade or sell them in the international and local 
markets. 
SEC. 3. It is hereby prohibited for fishermen and all other individuals and corporations to 
engage in live fish trade using cyanide dynamite and other forms of illegal fishing techniques. 
SEC. 4. Penal Provisions – Any person, whether juridical or natural, caught engaging in live 
fish trade using cyanide dynamite and other forms of illegal fishing techniques. shall be held 
liable to pay a fine of not less than Five hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000) nor more than 
One Million Pesos (P1,000,000) and imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more 
than ten (10) years. 
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules – The Department of Agriculture, thru the Bureau of Fisheries 
and Aquatic Resources shall issue such orders, rules and regulations and other issuances as 
may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause – If for any reason, any part of or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause – Any law, executive order, letter of instruction, rules and 
regulations, circulars, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of 
this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
7659