INAPRUBAHAN ng Kamara de Representantes sa ikalawang pagbasa ang panukala na magbabawal sa paghuli at pagbebenta ng mga pating, rays at chimaeras.
Sinabi ni House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, may akda ng panukala, na bagamat kinatatakutan ang mga pating sila ay mahalagang bahagi ng ecosystem na kailangan sa pagbalanse ng kalikasan.
“Sharks are typically depicted as apex predators that have significant top-down effects on food webs. They help keep prey populations healthy by feeding on weak, sick, or old fishes, and prevent overgrazing of critical marine habitats,” nai Arroyo.
Kung mawawala umano ang pating sa ecosystem magbabago ang predatory-prey interaction.
“Aside from ecological benefits, sharks and rays have also been proven to boost local economies through sustainable tourism activities, and through fisheries in many developing countries.”
Ang mga manghuhuli at magbebenta ay makukulong ng anim hanggang 12 taon at multang P100,000 hanggang P1 milyon.