President Aquino urged to sign Fisheries Code amendments and avoid EU sanctions
Oceana Philippines is supporting the appeal of NGOs for the Philippine government to finalize reforms in fisheries laws that would allow the country to meet the deadline for compliance with European Union requirements against illegal and unregulated fishi
Press Release Date: January 17, 2015
“We urge President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to immediately sign the amendments to the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 because this policy reform will be beneficial to all stakeholders, including the municipal and the commercial fisheries sub-sectors,” according to a statement signed by 14 NGOs, including Oceana Philippines.
Among the policy reform initiatives of the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), are increased penalties of up to P10 million for violations of fishing laws. These include encroachment within the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved for small fisherfolk, destruction of habitats such as seagrass and mangroves, and the use of unlicensed gear.
Another important conservation measure in the amended Fisheries Code is the institutionalization of vessel monitoring mechanisms, which will allow law enforcers to easily identify commercial fishing boats that are operating illegally in restricted zones.
Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President of Oceana Philippines, said: “Aside from the obvious fact that our country cannot afford to be banned from exporting fish and fish products to EU, its biggest market, the passage of these long-overdue amendments is essential if we are to prioritize food security and the livelihood of suffering artisanal fisherfok and reverse the undeniable tide of fish stocks depletion happening in our fishing grounds.
“Oceana believes that the implementation of the amendments is indispensable in achieving the twin goals of sustainable fisheries and healthy oceans for all.”
In June this year, the European Union issued a yellow card to the Philippines for its failure to meet global standards on sustainable fishing practices. The EU gave the Philippines six months, which expires in December, to institute policy reforms and avoid a fish export ban to the lucrative European market.
The statement from Philippine NGOs said: “We support the administration’s thrust to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as reflected in its previous recognition of the crisis in Philippine fisheries as indicated in the President’s State of the Nation Address in 2013.”
They also praised the government’s issuance of Executive Order 154 that establishes an inter-agency task force to address IUU fishing.
“We urge President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to immediately sign the amendments to the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 because this policy reform will be beneficial to all stakeholders, including the municipal and the commercial fisheries sub-sectors,” according to a statement signed by 14 NGOs, including Oceana Philippines.
Among the policy reform initiatives of the Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), are increased penalties of up to P10 million for violations of fishing laws. These include encroachment within the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved for small fisherfolk, destruction of habitats such as seagrass and mangroves, and the use of unlicensed gear.
Another important conservation measure in the amended Fisheries Code is the institutionalization of vessel monitoring mechanisms, which will allow law enforcers to easily identify commercial fishing boats that are operating illegally in restricted zones.
Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice President of Oceana Philippines, said: “Aside from the obvious fact that our country cannot afford to be banned from exporting fish and fish products to EU, its biggest market, the passage of these long-overdue amendments is essential if we are to prioritize food security and the livelihood of suffering artisanal fisherfok and reverse the undeniable tide of fish stocks depletion happening in our fishing grounds.
“Oceana believes that the implementation of the amendments is indispensable in achieving the twin goals of sustainable fisheries and healthy oceans for all.”
In June this year, the European Union issued a yellow card to the Philippines for its failure to meet global standards on sustainable fishing practices. The EU gave the Philippines six months, which expires in December, to institute policy reforms and avoid a fish export ban to the lucrative European market.
The statement from Philippine NGOs said: “We support the administration’s thrust to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as reflected in its previous recognition of the crisis in Philippine fisheries as indicated in the President’s State of the Nation Address in 2013.”
They also praised the government’s issuance of Executive Order 154 that establishes an inter-agency task force to address IUU fishing.