Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing: The Philippine Experience

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

IUUF Global and Local Situation Philippine Experience in Addressing IUUF

1. Legal and Policy ReformsLaw, IRR, Catch Certification Scheme,Traceability BAC, High Seas FAOs,Moratorium

2. Administrative Reforms3. Bilateral and Multilateral Efforts

PNG, Vietnam, Thailand, RPOA, ASEAN Joint Declaration, CTI, APEC

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IUUF GLOBAL AND LOCAL SITUATION

IUU fishing, estimated to reach up to 26 million tons annually, remains one of the greatest threats to marine ecosystems and undermines national and regional efforts to manage fisheries sustainably and conserve marine biodiversity

IUU fishing is motivated by economic gain and may sometimes be associated with organized crime and linked to unacceptable and indecent working conditions and forms of slavery

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IUUF GLOBAL AND LOCAL SITUATION

IUU fishing takes advantage of corrupt administrations and exploits weak management regimes, especially those of developing countries which lack the capacity and resources for effective MCS

IUU fishing is found in all types and dimensions of fisheries, occurs both on the high seas and in areas under national jurisdiction, concerns all aspects and stages of the exploitation and utilization of fish, and includes a wide range of activities.

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IUUF GLOBAL AND LOCAL SITUATION

IUU fishing threatens the livelihood of fishers and other fishery-sector stakeholders, and exacerbates malnutrition, poverty and food insecurity

IUU fishing is an environmental crime and requires a strong political will and concerted action, including at regional level, to curb it

The most widely quoted estimates (Agnew et al 2009) indicate that annual IUU fishing was in the range of 11-26 million tons with an estimated value of USD 10-23 billion

What is IUU fishing?

INTERNATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION TO PREVENT, DETER AND

ELIMINATEILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND

UNREGULATED FISHING

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONSRome, 2001

Photo credit: Mr Austin Jones, Director of the Surveillance Operations Coordinating Unit, Banjul, The Gambia

IUU fishing refers to fishing activities that do not comply with national, regional, or international fisheries conservation or management legislation or measures

Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing

Fishing activities conducted without permission or in contravention of:

• national laws and regulations• conservation and management measures of an RFMO• international law and obligations.

Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing

Fishing that has been unreportedor misreported to the relevant nationalauthority or regional organisation, incontravention of applicable laws andregulations

Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated FishingFishing activities undertaken:

• by non State Party vessels in a manner not consistent with or in contravention of measures adopted by the relevant RFMO

• in areas or for fish stocks for which there are no conservation or management measures and inconsistent with relevant provisions of international law

Philippine Efforts to Eradicate IUUF

President Aquino as part of his social contract with the Filipino people and his 10-point agenda declared:

“From a government obsessed with exploiting the country for immediate gains to the detriment of its environment to a government that will encourage sustainable use of resources to benefit the present and future generations, I mandate the government to encourage sustainable use of resources and prevent any form of exploitation that are detrimental to the environment” (Phil. Official Gazette, July 25, 2010)

REFORMS IN LEGAL FRAMEWORKInternational Agreements

PH ratification instrument of the UN 1995 Fish Stocks Agreement (UNFSA) submitted to UN in 24 September 2014. It entered into force for the Philippines on 24 October 2014.

As of 11 February 2016, the President signed the PH Accession to the 2009 FAO Port States Measures Agreement (PSMA) and Acceptance of the 1993 FAO Compliance Agreement and endorsed the same to the Senate for ratification.

Reforms in Legal FrameworkInternational Agreements

PHILIPPINE EFFORTS AGAINST IUUFNational Legal Reforms

On February 27, 2015 – Republic Act No. 10654 or “An Act to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, amending Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as “The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998”, and for Other Purposes”, became part of the law of the land.

STATUS OF PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Legal Reforms

22 September 2015– DA Administrative Order No. 10, series of 2015 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10654 was signed by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and took effect on 10 October 2015.

National Summit on IUUF

PHILIPPINE EFFORTS AGAINST IUUFNational Legal Reforms

October 28, 2015Philippine International Convention Center

EXECUTIVE ORDER 154 S. 2013

Adopted the National Plan of Actionto Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUUFand created the PhilippineCommittee against IUUF to overseethe implementation of the plan

PHILIPPINE EFFORTS AGAINST IUUFNational Legal Reforms

Public consultations transposing CMMs into domestic policies scheduled 1st quarter of 2015. Recommendation of NFARMC to the DA Sec re approval of the same for implementation will follow.

Existing CMMs uploaded on the BFAR’s official website, www.bfar.da.gov.ph 

Prohibition on the Use of Large Scale Drifts Nets

CMM on Daily Catch Reporting

CMM for Silky Sharks in the Western & Central Pacific Ocean (CMM 2013-08)

CMM for Pacific Bluefin Tuna

CMM to Mitigate the Impacts of Fishing for Highly Migratory Fish Stocks on Seabirds

PHILIPPINE EFFORTS AGAINST IUUFNational Legal Reforms

PHILIPPINE EFFORTS AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

Three municipalities of Occidental Mindoro and the municipalities surrounding Lagonoy Gulf have scheduled public consultations on the Fisheries Management Plans. The remaining municipalities with municipal fisheries supplying exporters are in the process of formulating their respective fisheries management plans.

STATUS OF PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

As of February 2016, 

600 of the 778 new positions  have been filled up and for assignment in 4 newly created divisions in the Regional Offices. Remaining positions subject to deliberation by the Selection Board.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

294 regulatory & enforcement personnel completed Fisheries Law Enforcement  training. 

Two regulatory officers participated in training workshop on Vessel Inspection and Enforcement Measures Against IUUF held in Singapore on 3‐5 Jan 2015

First batch graduates of the 3‐month boot camp

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

ISO CertificationBFAR has continuedand funded the project on ISO accreditation and is in in the process of procurement of a third party consultant for the ISO Certification.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

The Joint Memorandum Circular for adoption of Fishery Law Enforcement Manual of Operations (FLEMOP) has been circulated to six  departments for signature.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

As of February 2016, a total of 

7,178 commercial fishing vessels are registered and licensed in FeLiS.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

29 Jan 2015 – A Technical Working Group meeting was held to fine‐tune the Fishery Law Enforcement Information System (FLEMIS).

As of February 2016, FLEMIS is already 90% complete. 

CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

Increase in the number of registered commercial fishing vessels due to joint regional mobile registration and licensing activities being undertaken until  October 2016. 

Before FishR Launching

STATUS OF PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

Feb2016

OCT2014

JUL2014

2013

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

On November 24, 2014, BFAR launch its National Program for Municipal Fishing Vessels and Gears Registration or “BoatR” to assist local governments in the registration of municipal fishing boats and gears.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

BoatR LaunchingNovember 24, 2014

Boat AdmeasurementNational Trainer’s TrainingNovember 25‐29, 2014

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

BoatR Web and Mobile AppNational Training09 Feb 2015

BoatR Web and Mobile App National Launching06 Feb 2015 

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

BoatR Mobile App

BoatR Web

As of February 2016, a total of

168,750 municipal fishing boats have been registered in the BoatR.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

On 6 Feb 2015, BFAR launch its CFLC Program which seeks put up an initial 252 fish landing facilities in pre‐selected priority coastal municipalities where poverty incidence and fishing and fish farming activities  are prevalent.

National Program forCommunity Fish Landing Centers

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

CFLC Program Launching06 Feb 2015

National Orientation and Social Prep Planning for 

CFLC07‐08 Feb 2015

11 – 13 Feb 2015 – The 4th phase of the capacity training focusing on National Inspection Plan and its SOPs and the Catch Certification Manual of Operations was conducted for fish inspectors and catch certifying officers.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

TraceabilityImproving

Continuing conduct of public consultations on the proposed FAO revising the rules on commercial fishing which includes the requirements for VMS, observer coverage and landing declaration. 

30 March 2016‐ IUU Traceability audits have been conducted by Fish Inspectors pursuant to Fisheries Administrative Orders No. 238‐1 and 251. These audits show that fishery products can be traced backward and forward at all stages of the supply chain.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

15 February 2015 

BFAR is now fully implementing BFAR Administrative Circular No. 252 s. 2014 on the Rules and Regulations Governing Distant Water Fishing by Philippine‐Flagged Fishing Vessels. 

Said Circular requires VMS enrolment, observer coverage, landing declaration of catch of all Philippine‐flagged fishing vessels fishing in RFMO areas.

On 11‐13 February 2015,  the training workshop attended by all validation officers and catch certifying officers was held in Davao City.

Participants were oriented on the SOP and Checklist for Catch Certification, formulated with the assistance of the Short‐term Expert under the EU TRTA.

STATUS OF PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

TraceabilityImproving

A total of 211 PH flagged fishing vessels are now being monitored through a fully functional VMS system, particularly for those fishing in the WCPFC HSP‐1 and PNG waters. 

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

Snapshot of 2 fishing vessel tracks in the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) which are operating in

WCPFC HSP-1 and PNG waters.

Philippines Fisheries Observer Program 

First to be audited and granted accreditation by the WCPFC in 2010

To date, BFAR has a pool of 284 trained Fisheries Observers who operate in accordance with the provisions of the WCPFC Conservation and Management Measures 2007‐1.

30 more Fisheries/Marine Biology graduates are currently undergoing training. BFAR plans to train a total of 800 Fisheries Observers.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA)’s Draft Manual of Operations on Boarding and Inspection of the General Santos Fish Port Complex is on review. A Draft Manual of Operations for Davao Fish Port Complex is under consideration.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFLocal/Community Reforms

70 units of 30‐footer multi‐mission patrol boats have been distributed to BFAR Regional Offices. The 7thbatch of patrol boats comprising 12 units have undergone sea trial in the second quarter of 2015.

Construction of 2 units of 50‐meter multi‐mission vessels have already commenced.

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUF

CLOSEDSEASONS Closed Season for round scad fishing in Palawan waters on

November 15 to February 15.

Closed Season for Sardine Fishing in East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay from November 1 to February 1 pursuant to Joint DA-DILG Administrative Order No. 1, series of 2011.

Closed Season for sardine and mackerel fishing in Visayan Sea from November 15 to February 15 pursuant to FAO 167-3 , series of 2013.

Closed Season on fishing for small pelagics in Davao Gulf for three months(June-August).

MAJOR CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN PH

Sardines & Small Pelagics

Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-tawiVisayan SeaDavao GulfPalawan Waters

Cagayan River

Lobed River Mullet or “Ludong”Elvers

Management Plan

Blue Crabs (Region VI)Swordfish (Region XIII)BAN on “Hulbot-hulbot”Sargassum, Corals, ElversMoratorium on the Issuance of New Licenses

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUF

TrainingEnforcementLaw

5th Batch

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFBilateral/Multilateral Arrangements

UNDERTAKING

PH -PNG

PH‐PNG had their 2nd meeting of the Joint Committee on Fisheries Cooperation hosted by PH on February 2016.

STATUS OF PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFBilateral/Multilateral Arrangements

PH-VietnamContinue to work closely on IUUF within framework of MOU>IUUF hotlines>Focal Persons

PH-Indonesia

Ongoing talks for bilateral fisheries cooperation

STATUS OF PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFBilateral/Multilateral Arrangements

PH-ThailandThe Implementing Arrangement on joint fisheries cooperation in combatting IUUFbetween BFAR and DoF has been signed on April 4, 2016

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFBilateral/Multilateral Arrangements

Regional EffortsIUUF

In promoting

2015 ASEAN Economic Integration’s blueprint, ASEAN Catch Dcoumentatiion Scheme, ASEAN Regional Record, ASEAN RPOA to Manage Fishing Capacity

APFIC Implementation of Regional Plan of Actionagainst IUU fishing at the regional level.

Coral Triangle Initiative: to implement a 10‐Year Planof Action to prevent IUU fishing.

Regional Plan of Action to Combat IUUF in the Asia Pacific

PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFNational Administrative Reforms

26‐28 Feb 2015PH hosted APEC in Clark, Pampanga

IUUF was one of its major discussion points

Activities related to combating IUUF was integrated into the group’s annual program

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STATUS OF PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFBilateral/Multilateral Arrangements

Regional Efforts IUUFin combattingPhilippines has communicated on December 03, 2014 its request for VDS information, real‐time VMS data and observer reports to the Chair of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement and will continue to exert efforts to dialogue with these countries on a bilateral or multilateral levels.

STATUS OF PH CAMPAIGN AGAINST IUUFCONCLUSION

PH is committed and serious in adhering to all its international obligations to fight IUUF and in ensuring the protection, conservation and sustainability of all marine and aquatic resources.

MARAMING SALAMAT PO!