The government is tightening its regulations on the fishing of blue swimming crab (BSC) to align with the requirements of the United States (US) and maintain access to its largest export market, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The DA said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is implementing stronger conservation measures to keep BSC, one of the country’s most valuable fisheries, thriving in the long term.

Under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 277, BFAR is introducing a 500-meter limit on the aggregate length of gillnets used in BSC fishing operations.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said this reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that environmental protection and sustainability go hand in hand with industry growth.

“By embracing better fisheries management, we are protecting our marine resources while ensuring Philippine seafood continues to meet the high standards of premium international markets,” he said in a statement.

The US earlier banned BSC shipments from the Philippines after comparability findings determined that the country was non-compliant with the US Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

The MMPA prohibit the importation of commercial fish or fish products caught using commercial fishing gear that results in the bycatch of marine mammals in excess of US standards.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) earlier found that BSC fisheries overlap with the habitat of Irrawaddy dolphins, with gillnet operations linked to their deaths.

According to the DA, BFAR’s move to limit the length of gillnets reduces the incidental capture of marine mammals and other species without sacrificing fishing efficiency.

Through FAO No. 277, the agency also committed to ramping up enforcement of BSC fishery regulations, including imposing administrative sanctions on violators and conducting a mandatory review every three years to ensure safeguard measures remain responsive.

Agriculture Undersecretary Drusila Bayate said this aligns the country’s regulations with the MMPA, which she said reinforces “the country’s reputation as a reliable and sustainable seafood supplier.”

"This is a critical step toward restoring our access to the US, an important market for Philippine [BCS],” said Bayate.

The US is estimated to account for about 90 percent of the country’s BSC exports, which are valued at between $50 million and $60 million.