By Virtue of RA8550, BFAR is mandated of following:

 Prepare and implement a Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan;
 Issue licenses for the operation of commercial fishing vessels;
 Issue identification cards free of charge to fishworkers engaged in commercial fishing;
 Monitor and review joint fishing agreements between Filipino citizens and foreigners who 
conduct fishing activities in international waters, and ensure that such agreements are not 
contrary to Philippine commitment under international treaties and convention on fishing in the 
high seas;
 Formulate and implement a Comprehensive Fishery Research and Development Program;
 Establish and maintain a Comprehensive Fishery Information System;
 Provide extensive development support services in all aspects of fisheries production, 
processing and marketing;
 Provide advisory services and technical assistance on the improvement of quality of fish from 
the time it is caught;
 Coordinate efforts relating to fishery production undertaken by the primary fishery producers, 
LGUs, FARMCs, and fishery organizations/cooperatives;
 Advise and coordinate with LGUs on the maintenance of proper sanitation and hygienic 
practices in fish markets and fish landing areas;
 Establish a corps of specialists in collaboration with the DND, DILG, DFA for the efficient 
monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities within Philippine territorial waters;
 Implement an inspection system for import and export of fishery/aquatic products and fish 
processing establishments consistent with international standards to ensure product quality and 
safety;
 Coordinate with LGUs and other concerned agencies for the establishment of productivity 
enhancing and market development programs in fishing communities to enable women to 
engage in other fisheries/economics activities and contribute significantly to development 
efforts;
 Enforce all laws, formulate and enforce all rules and regulations governing the conservation and 
management of fishery resources, except in municipal waters, and to settle conflicts of resource 
use and allocation;
 Develop value added fishery products for domestic consumption and export;
 Recommend measures for the protection/enhancement of the fishery industries;
 Assist the LGUs in developing their technical capability in the development, management, 
regulation, conservation, and protection of the fishery resources;
 Formulate rules and regulations for the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks 
and highly migratory fish stocks; and
 Perform such other related functions which shall promote the development, conservation, 
management, protection and utilization of fisheries and aquatic resources.