ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) announced that the implementation of the 3-month closed season for sardine fishing in Zamboanga Peninsula will continue this year.
The closed season for sardine fishing is being implemented from December 1 to March 1 to allow the fish, specifically herring (sardinella) and locally known as tamban, to spawn.
Tamban is the main fish species that is being used in the production of sardine.
BFAR National Director Asis G. Perez said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency they will continue to implement the closed season for sardine fishing since “It has been proven there has been a significant increase in sardine catch since its implementation three years ago.”
The implementation of the closed season for sardine fishing this year will be the fourth time.
Its implementation is in line with an order jointly issued in 2011 by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that temporarily suspended for three months sardine fishing in East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay.
The DA and DILG order prohibits any person, association, or corporation to catch sardines in the identified conservation area from December 1 to March 1.
Violators will face imprisonment of six months and one day to six years or a fine of P6,000 and forfeiture of the catch. Their fishing boat and gear license could also be revoked or canceled.
BFAR data indicated that sardine catch for both commercial and municipal fisheries in the Zamboanga Peninsula grew by 6.34 percent in 2012 with a total production of 156,143.01 metric tons (MT) against 2011’s 146,835.66 MT.
The data showed comparison of annual figures from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.
However, a decline of 2.83 percent was recorded for the year 2013 with 151,720.32 MT as a result of reduced fishing trips due to inclement weather conditions and typhoons.
Meanwhile, Perez said the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council has already formulated a new fishery administrative order.
However, he said, this order should be endorsed by the local government units in areas covered by the closed fishing season before they submit it for approval of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala.
Alcala’s approval would make permanent the implementation of the three-month closed season for sardine, according to Perez.
NFARMC serves as DA’s advisory and recommendatory body in policy formulation and the preparation of the National Fisheries Industry Development Plan. BFAR is one of the bureaus of DA.
PNA