Section 135Sec./Art. 135

Accompanying Administrative Sanctions for Serious Violations. The Adjudication Committee may impose the following additional sanctions to the administrative penalties imposed for serious violations:

(1) confiscation of fishing gear;

(2) impoundment of fishing vessel;

(3) temporary suspension or permanent revocation of license or permit;

(4) temporary or permanent ban from the availment of applicable duty and tax rebates;

(5) inclusion in the IUU fishing vessel list;

(6) denial of entry and other port services;

(7) blacklisting; and

(8) increase in the amount of fines but not to exceed five (5) times the value of the catch. In case of repeated violations within a five-year period, the amount of fine may be increased up to eight (8) times the value of the catch.

During the pendency of the administrative or the criminal case, the Department may impound the vessel/conveyance, gear and other paraphernalia used in the commission of the offense.

In applying these accompanying sanctions, the Department shall take into account the seriousness of the violation as defined in Paragraph 82 of Section 4 of this Code, the habituality or repetition of violation, manner of commission of the offense, severity of the impact on the fishery resources and habitat, socioeconomic impact, cases of concealment or destruction of evidence, eluding arrest, resisting lawful orders, and other analogous circumstances.

The overall level of sanctions and accompanying sanctions shall be calculated in a manner that is proportionate, effective and dissuasive to deprive the offender of the economic benefits derived from the serious violation.