BFAR to enforce stricter fishing rules for blue crab

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will implement stricter rules on the harvesting of blue swimming crab to enable the country to resume its exports to the United States.

Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 277 seeks to align the Philippines with the requirements of the US government on marine mammal protection.

The new measure introduces a 500-meter cap on the aggregate length of gillnets used during fishing operations. This will limit the incidents of captured marine mammals and other endangered aquatic animals during fishing operations.

BFAR, alongside local government units and fisheries law enforcement agencies, will also implement stronger enforcement and administrative sanctions for violators.

The agency will also conduct a mandatory review every three years to ensure the measure remains responsive to current conditions.

This comes following the US ban on blue swimming crab imports from the Philippines, due to the country’s inadequate protection measures on mandatory marine mammal protection and bycatch monitoring programs.

The agency added that the new FAO was crafted after consultations with local governments, fisherfolk, processors, scientists, conservation organizations and other stakeholders.

BFAR national director Elizer Salilig said that continued collaboration is key to securing livelihoods and maintaining access to global markets, while also protecting marine animals.

For Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. the strengthened measure would support the local blue crab industry which employs thousands of fisherfolk, processors and exporters.

“By embracing better fisheries management, we are protecting our marine resources while ensuring Philippine seafood continues to meet the high standards of premium international markets,” Tiu Laurel added.

The P7-billion industry relies on the US as a major destination for blue crab products, accounting for nearly 90 percent of all exports.

The country exports about 500,000 pounds of crab meat per month to the US before the ban, with major crab sources in Bacolod, Iloilo and Cebu.