Commercial fishing boat license and other licenses.
Section 17
SEC. 17. Commercial fishing boat license and other licenses.—No person shall operate a commercial fishing boat, pearl fishing boat or fishing boat for scientific, research or educational purposes, or engage in any fishery activity, or seek employment as a fisherman without first securing a license from the Bureau: Provided, That no such special permit shall be required of a fishing boat engaged in scientific, research or educational purposes within Philippine waters pursuant to an international agreement of which the Philippines is a signatory, and which agreement defines the status, privileges and obligations of said boat and its crew and the non-Filipino officials of the international agency under which said boat operates: Provided, Further, That the members of the crew of a fishing boat used for commercial fishing, including but not limited to duly licensed and/or authorized patrons, marine engineers, radio operators and cooks, shall be considered as fisherman: Provided, Furthermore, That the commercial fishing boat license herein authorized to be granted shall allow the licensee to operate only in Philippine waters seven (7) or more fathoms deep subject to the conditions that may be stated therein and the rules and regulations that may, from time to time, be promulgated by the Secretary: Provided, Finally, That baby trawls using fishing boats of three (3) gross tons or less may operate in areas four (4) fathoms deep or more if authorized by existing municipal ordinances duly approved by the Secretary. The Philippine Coast Guard shall perform all functions pertaining to the registration, documentation, inspection and manning of all types of fishing boats plying Philippine waters except those hereinabove vested in the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources: Provided, That a fishing boat may, upon inspection and verification by the Maritime Safety Division and Naval Architecture and Engineering Section of the Philippine Coast Guard that the fishing boat is seaworthy and fit for operations, be accepted for registration, documentation, and licensing purposes: Provided, Further, That the coastwise license shall not be required of fishing boats. Every boat of Philippine registry of 10 gross tons or more but less than 500 tons, which is operated exclusively as a fishing boat for catching and transporting fish in the territorial waters of the Philippines may be operated at least by one licensed deck officer and one licensed engine officer, the qualifications of whom shall be prescribed by the Philippine Coast Guard, which qualifications may, considering that the fishing boat will not transport passengers and/or cargo, be less than those required of similar officers employed in vessels engaged in the coastwise trade. Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, all fishing boats shall be provided with adequate medical supplies and life-saving devices to be determined by the Philippine Coast Guard: Provided, That a fishing boat twenty (20) gross tons or more shall have in its employ a person qualified as a First Aider duly certified by a government physician.