Philippine Fisheries Profession Act

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11398

AN ACT REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF THE FISHERIES PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF FISHERIES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

ARTICLE I

Title, Declaration of Policy, Objectives and Definition of Terms

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Fisheries Profession Act."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the police of the State to provide priority attention and support to professionalize the practice of the fisheries profession in the Philippines, which will be beneficial to sustain the food security and economic development of the country, and to upgrade the standards of fisheries education. These policies are provided for in Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as the "Fisheries Code of 1998" and Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997."

Pursuant to this national policy, the government shall: (1) provide a program to set up an appropriate and healthy environment for the practice of the fisheries profession; and...

Summary of Republic Act No. 11398 (Philippine Fisheries Profession Act)

Declares the policy of the State to professionalize the practice of the fisheries profession in the Philippines to sustain food security, economic development, and upgrade fisheries education standards.

Definitions (Section 3):
• Defines key terms like aquaculture, aquatic resources, fisheries, fisheries sector, fisheries profession, fisheries professional, Accredited and Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO), and scope of examination.

Scope and Practice of the Fisheries Profession (Section 4):
• Covers consultation, evaluation, investigation, and management services in fisheries.
• Preparation of fisheries design, plans, specifications, feasibility studies, and estimates for hatcheries, production systems, post-harvest facilities, and other fisheries facilities.
• Conduct of research, development, training, and extension work in fisheries, aquatic resources, aquaculture, and post-harvest technologies.
• Management of fisheries resources, manufacture and marketing of fishery products.
• Teaching fisheries courses in recognized higher education institutions.
• Study and treatment of fish diseases and parasites affecting fishing, post-harvest, and aquaculture activities.
• Employment in government and private sectors requiring fisheries professional expertise.
• Administration, conduct of licensure examination, registration, and licensing of fisheries professionals.
• Supervision and regulation of the practice of the fisheries profession.
• Upgrading of the fisheries profession and professionalization of fisheries professionals.

Professional Regulatory Board of Fisheries (Sections 5-12):
• Creates the Professional Regulatory Board of Fisheries under the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
• Outlines the composition, qualifications, term of office, powers and functions, compensation and allowances, removal and suspension, supervision, and reporting requirements of the Board.

Examination and Registration (Sections 13-30):
• Requires applicants to pass a written licensure examination, except for those who qualify for registration without examination.
• Specifies the scope of examination covering four fields: aquatic resources and ecology, aquaculture, capture fisheries, and post-harvest fisheries.
• Outlines the qualifications of applicants for examination, including citizenship, moral character, educational requirements, and absence of criminal convictions.
• Provides for the rating system, reporting of ratings, and issuance of certificates of registration and professional identification cards.
• Allows for registration without examination under certain conditions, such as educational qualifications, work experience, and publications.
• Establishes a roster of fisheries professionals and provisions for issuing special temporary permits to foreign fisheries professionals.
• Requires the use of a seal and indication of registration number, professional tax receipt, and AIPO membership on documents.

Practice of the Fisheries Profession (Sections 31-38):
• Requires successful examinees and those qualified for registration without examination to take an oath of profession.
• Defines acts constituting the practice of the fisheries profession.
• Prohibits the unauthorized practice of the fisheries profession, corporate practice, and hiring of unlicensed fisheries professionals.
• Mandates the integration of all fisheries professionals into one national professional organization (AIPO).
• Requires the adoption of a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for Fisheries Professionals.
• Provides for the automatic registration of existing registered and licensed fisheries technologists.

Penal and Final Provisions (Sections 39-45):
• Imposes penalties for violations of the Act, including fines ranging from ₱50,000 to ₱500,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than six months.
• Appropriates funds for the implementation of the Act.
• Includes transitory, implementing rules and regulations, separability, and repealing provisions.
• Sets the effectivity date of the Act to 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.