BFAR: Closed season raised fish production by 20 percent

THE production of sardines, herrings and mackerels in the Visayan Sea increased by 20%, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas.

The boost in the production was observed following the implementation of three-month closed season established through the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 167-3.

The FAO prohibited the catching, selling, and buying Goldstripe sardines (tamban/tabagak), Bali sardines (tamban-tuloy), Rainbow sardines (balantiyong), Short-bodies mackerel (hasa-hasa/guma-a), and Indian mackerel (bulaw) during the closed season.

BFAR-6 Regional Director Remia Aparri said that the closed season was set to protect fish species during reproduction period. It is observed annually from November 15 to February 15.

In the 10th Visayas Sea Governors Summit on Sept. 28, 2018, Aparri reported that from 349 commercial fishing boats operating in the Visayan Sea, only a few were detected during the closed season.

“Yung awareness for compliance na hindi mag-fishing during closed season is the explanation why may reduction kita sang fishing during closed season,” Aparri said, stating that fishermen abided by the no-fishing policy.

There are still, however, minimal violations recorded by the BFAR.

“There are violators that we apprehended during the implementation because we could not prevent them from fishing,” Aparri said.

Violators of the FAO will be fined Php6,000 and will be subject to cancellation of fishing permits, confiscation of catch and imprisonment from six months to six years.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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