Fisheries Administrative Order No. 226: Series of 2008. Regulation on the mesh size of tuna purse seine nets and trading of small tuna.

This Administrative Order, consisting of 6 Sections, establishes the Regulation on the Mesh Size of Tuna Purse Seine Nets and Trading of Small Tuna. The following management and conservation measures to prescribe the mesh size of tuna purse seine nets in catching tuna and regulation on the trading of small tuna are promulgated to prohibit to any person, association, cooperative, partnership or corporation to operate tuna purse seine nets with mesh size smaller than 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) at the bag or bunt portion in catching tuna. It shall be unlawful also to trade small tuna caught beyond the bycatch ceiling. Violation of Section 2 of this order shall subject the offender to a fine of from 2,000.00 to 20,000.00 Pesos or imprisonment from six months to two years or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court; the boat captain and the master fisherman may also be subject to the penalties provided; the owner/operator of the commercial fishing vessel who violates this provision shall be subjected to the same penalties; the Department is empowered to impose upon the offender an administrative fine and/or cancel the fishing licence.