BFAR to appeal SC decision vs fishing vessel monitoring policy

HIGHEST COURT. File photo of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Photo by Mark Z. Saludes

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. says the vessel monitoring system is the 'most effective way' to deal with illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing

MANILA, Philippines – The government will appeal the Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down as unconstitutional the Department of Agriculture’s vessel monitoring policy, the agency said on Monday, August 3.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will file the motion for reconsideration to keep the Fisheries Administrative Order No. 266 (FAO 266), the policy that outlined the vessel monitoring measures for Philippine-flagged commercial fishing vessels.