Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 emphasis on Prohibitions and Penalties

Section 162

The Department shall, upon the recommendation of the Bureau, have the power to declare a moratorium on the issuance of licenses for commercial fishing vessels to operate in specified area or areas in Philippine waters for a limited period of time if there are indications of overfishing brought about by a decrease in the volume and sizes of fish caught therein or for conservation or ecological purposes. No new licenses and similar privileges on exploitation of specific fishery areas in Philippine waters and aquaculture production areas shall be issued in accordance with this Code. Such moratoria shall not exceed five (5) years from the effectivity of this Code.

Section 163

An Inter-agency Committee is hereby created to formulate rules and regulations for the full implementation of this Code within ninety (90) days of its effectivity: Provided, however, That the formulated rules and regulations shall be submitted to both Houses of Congress for information and guidance. Such rules and regulations shall take effect upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation. The Inter-agency Committee shall be composed of the following: a. Secretary of Agriculture as Chairman; b. Secretary of the Interior and Local Government; c. Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; d. Secretary of Justice; e. Secretary of Finance; f. Secretary of Budget and Management; g. Secretary of Labor and Employment; h. Secretary of National Defense; i. Commissioner of Civil Service Commission; j. Director of BFAR; k. Executive Director of PCAMRD; l. General Manager of PFDA; m. One (1) representative from each of the following: a.1. The League of Provinces; a.2. The League of Cities; a.3. The League of Municipalities; a.4. The Liga ng mga Barangay; n. Representative of the municipal fisherfolk; o. Representative of the commercial fishers; p. Representative of the non-government organizations involved in fishing concerns; and q. A representative from the academe coming from the specialized fisheries institution.