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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Iloilo launches marine wildlife monitoring after US bans PH crab meat

Iloilo launches marine wildlife monitoring after US bans PH crab meat

Published Jun 30, 2026 01:07 pm
‎FISHING boats at the port of Concepcion, a town in northern Iloilo province. (Tara Yap)
‎FISHING boats at the port of Concepcion, a town in northern Iloilo province. (Tara Yap)
ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo provincial government has created a marine wildlife monitoring program after the United States (US) banned Philippine crab meat, an export product of the province.
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‎Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. created  the Marine Wildlife Conservation, Bycatch Monitoring, and Stranding Response Program via Executive Order No. 72, Series of 2026, signed on Monday, June 29.
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‎This is part of a nationwide effort that aims to reverse the ban enforced by the US’ National Marine Fisheries Service, which found out that the Philippines failed under  import standards as stipulated in the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
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‎In Iloilo, the ban is negatively impacting livelihood in Concepcion town as a company based there is an exporter of blue crab meat to the American market.
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‎Defensor’s executive order seeks to strengthen responsible fishing in the 19 coastal towns of Iloilo.
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‎The program has a task force to implement strict monitoring, especially on bycatch (the incidental capture, injury, or deaths of marine wildlife during fishing activities).
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‎Other members of the task force are the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units (LGUs) of the 19 coastal towns, the academe,  non-government organizations (NGOs), and other partners.
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‎There will also  be systems for reporting, responding, and database banking for marine wildlife monitoring.
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