Post by admin on Dec 31, 2013 5:38:28 GMT 8
Higher fines on illegal coral trading pushed
Jomari Guillermo
October 28, 2013
A measure seeking to increase the fines imposed on illegal trade and exploitation of Philippine corals and other marine species has been filed at the House of Representatives.
House Bill No. 2819 , filed by Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Villar, seeks to amend Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and imposes a fine ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 and six to two years imprisonment.
The current law imposes a fine ranging from P2,000 to P20,000 and a six to two years imprisonment.
“We must act now to protect the country’s precious corals and other marine wealth before they are lost forever,” Villar said in a statement.
The law bans the gathering, possession, selling, and exporting of corals except for scientific or research purposes. All confiscated corals shall be returned to the sea or donated to schools and museums for educational and scientific purposes.
Villar also proposes the forfeiture of catch and cancellation of fishing permit against unlawful fishingm catching, gathering, selling, purchasing, and exporting of endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), and Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Act.
Villar, however, said that “the taking, catching, gathering, possession or trade of artificially propagated and cultured species listed in the CITES, IUCN and RA 9147 may be allowed subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Agriculture.”
Source: www.mb.com.ph/higher-fines-on-illegal-coral-trading-pushed/
"Like" the Philippine Wildlife News/ PCTAR page at www.facebook.com/PhilippineWildlifeNews and receive regular updates.
Jomari Guillermo
October 28, 2013
A measure seeking to increase the fines imposed on illegal trade and exploitation of Philippine corals and other marine species has been filed at the House of Representatives.
House Bill No. 2819 , filed by Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Villar, seeks to amend Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and imposes a fine ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 and six to two years imprisonment.
The current law imposes a fine ranging from P2,000 to P20,000 and a six to two years imprisonment.
“We must act now to protect the country’s precious corals and other marine wealth before they are lost forever,” Villar said in a statement.
The law bans the gathering, possession, selling, and exporting of corals except for scientific or research purposes. All confiscated corals shall be returned to the sea or donated to schools and museums for educational and scientific purposes.
Villar also proposes the forfeiture of catch and cancellation of fishing permit against unlawful fishingm catching, gathering, selling, purchasing, and exporting of endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), and Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Act.
Villar, however, said that “the taking, catching, gathering, possession or trade of artificially propagated and cultured species listed in the CITES, IUCN and RA 9147 may be allowed subject to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Agriculture.”
Source: www.mb.com.ph/higher-fines-on-illegal-coral-trading-pushed/
"Like" the Philippine Wildlife News/ PCTAR page at www.facebook.com/PhilippineWildlifeNews and receive regular updates.