The SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) initiated a review-workshop of the Handline Fishing Law Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on April 26, 2019 at East Asia Royale Hotel, General Santos City. The workshop gathered inputs from the Tuna Handline stakeholders of the region. The IRR applies to all handline fishing operations and all persons engaged in handline fishing as defined by RA 9379.
In her opening statement, SFFAII Executive Director Rosanna Bernadette Contreras gave a brief introduction about SFFAII and its members. She likewise provided a brief rationale of the event and explained the importance of the IRR review-workshop. She explained that the workshop’s output will be forwarded to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for consideration of the Technical Working Group (TWG) during the official review of the IRR.
The workshop will gather all recommendations applicable to the handline sector, Contreras said. These will be considered in the amended IRR. She added that those who are interested to become part of the TWG to review the IRR should be acknowledged. She stressed however, that the IRR review-workshop only gathers suggestions, recommendations, and comments.
Diony Seromines representing the Alliance of Tuna Handliners (ATH), shared on the participation and involvement of ATH in the past concerning the crafting of the Handline Law. He said that the law was promulgated to address the concerns of Tuna Handline Operators. However, the Law had not been implemented and thus unable to address the problems confronting the industry. He stressed that ATH has decided to lobby for the amendment of the Handline Law so it can properly address the real problems besetting the handline industry.
The proposed amendments covered Rule I (Preliminary Provisions), Rule II (Handline Fishing Boat Documentation), Rule III (Fishing by Handline Fishing Boats in Distant Waters – which will be discussed with the BFAR TWG), Rule IV (Manning Complement of Handline Fishing Boats), Rule V (Construction of Handline Fishing Boats), Rule VI (Transitory Provisions), and Rule VII (Final Provisions). Other matters were also discussed like the absence of a penalty clause in the IRR; issuance of Certificate of Clearance before a fishing boat can depart from the homeport or any port of departure toward the fishing ground; validity of Certificate of Clearance; and critiquing of the IRR draft amendments prior finalization.
Contreras offered that SFFAII can request for the transcripts of the deliberations during the crafting of the Handline IRR.
Another round of consultation will be called when the draft IRR amendments are ready. SFFAII Communications Consultant Belinda Sales Canlas facilitated the review-workshop.
