BFAR guidelines for enforcement of vessel monitoring measures out

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has finally issued the guidelines for the enforcement of Vessel Monitoring Measures (VMM) and installment of Electronic Reporting System (ERS), a move that will intensify the government’s fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

BFAR said that Agriculture Secretary William Dar has signed Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) no. 266, which will enhance the capacity of the government to monitor fishing operations and enforce laws in Philippine waters.

VMM, which covers the use of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), will be used to track and monitor the position, course, and speed of fishing vessels at any given time for the purpose of management of fisheries and fishing effort and traceability.

The system will use an Automatic Location Communicator (ALC) or a tracking device equipped with a distress alert button, which when activated will automatically locate the vessel and alert authorities during accidents or other emergencies, ensuring safety of fishers at sea.

Based on the new order, BFAR will accredit, verify as fully operational, and certify the tracking devices that will be used as prerequisites for registration or renewal of license.

Aside from this, an ERS will be used to record and transmit catch data including species and volume of fish caught, position of the vessel where the fish are caught, vessel activity, and port of origin and arrival in real time.

The system will improve the country's catch documentation and seafood traceability.

Data from ERS and VMS can also be used in tracking fishing behavior for scientific research and serve as a basis for more effective fisheries management measures.

Based on the new FAO, vessels weighing 3.1 to less than 30 GT must have a BFAR- approved VMS installed within one year from the effectivity of the FAO.

For vessels weighing 30 GT or more, VMS must be installed immediately as required by FAO 260.

Under Section 119 of Republic Act 10654 or the Amended Fisheries Code, non-compliance to the VMM or violations such as intentionally tampering with, switching off or disabling the VMS may result in administrative or criminal liability.