BFAR to appeal SC ruling on vessel monitoring policy

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is determined to preserve one of its key enforcement tools against illegal fishing after the Supreme Court (SC) declared as unconstitutional the BFAR’s vessel monitoring regulation.

The BFAR, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) tasked to implement the Fisheries Code of 1998, said it would ask the high tribunal to reevaluate the issues presented by both parties.

The DA expressed confidence that after the review, the high court would uphold BFAR’s vessel monitoring regulation, noting that a commercial fishing license is a privilege and subject to state rules and regulations.

“We are confident that the Supreme Court will allow us to use this internationally recognized vessel monitoring system as the most effective way to deal with illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

He said the system relies on electronic data and not on manual reports submitted by commercial fishing companies.

The system is a key tool in monitoring compliance with regulations and conservation measures, particularly during closed fishing season as well as in protecting nursery areas from illegal exploitation.

The high tribunal declared unconstitutional Fisheries Administrative Order 266, which requires Philippine-flagged commercial fishing boats to install vessel monitoring systems and submit electronic reports of their catch.

The DA said the regulation is aligned with the right to a healthy environment, which it said belongs to all Filipinos and the stakeholders.