Philippines Restricts Crab Fishing to Protect Marine Life & US Trade

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) in the Philippines issued a new administrative order to protect blue swimming crabs, known locally as “alimasag,” and maintain access to international markets. The order limits gillnet length to 500 meters during crab fishing operations, aiming to reduce accidental capture of marine mammals and protected species.

This policy change aligns Philippine fishing practices with the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, a requirement for continued seafood imports into the United States. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel emphasized the importance of sustainable fisheries management for both environmental protection and economic stability for the thousands of Filipinos involved in the crab industry.

BFAR will collaborate with local governments and law enforcement to enforce the regulations, with guidelines to be reviewed and updated every three years. The move follows April consultations with stakeholders and updates to the Blue Swimming Crab National Management Plan, focusing on adaptive and ecosystem-based strategies.