BFAR Administrative Circular No. 253: Series of 2014. Moratorium on the issuance of commercial fishing vessel and gear license and other clearances.

This Administrative Order, consisting of 10 Sections, establishes the Moratorium on the issuance of Commercial Fishing Vessel and Gear Licence and Other Clearances. The moratorium shall be imposed for a period of 3 years after 6 months from the entry into force of this Circular. It shall apply to any commercial fishing vessel using all types of nets or gears whether in an active or passive manner. It shall cover the conversion of passenger or cargo vessels into fishing vessels as well as the issuance of construction clearance and importation of all types of commercial fishing vessels. It shall apply to owners of unregistered and unlicensed commercial fishing vessels and gears who fail to avail of the grace period provided in Section 4 hereof (with the exception of Danish Seiners). These owners are prohibited from transferring their vessel or gears by sale or otherwise to fishing companies, operators, partnerships or persons, particularly to those who were issued construction or import clearance. The moratorium shall not apply to the renewal of existing CFVGL, provided, that should there be an increase in the gross tonnage of the commercial fishing vessel subject of the application for renewal, the same should not exceed 250 gross tons, provided further that the gear registration is for the same previously registered gear or new fishing gear belonging to the same gear classification.