Visayan Sea fishing ban lifted

CEBU, Philippines —  It’s open season again for fishing at the Visayan Sea after a three-month ban has been lifted starting today.

BFAR-7 regional director Allan Poquita said that fishermen can now catch sardines, herrings and mackerel but reminded them not to use any form or methods of illegal fishing such as dynamite, fine mesh net, electricity, among others.

“Yes, open na ang Visayan Sea sugod ugma (today). Successful gyud ang atong activity kay nidaghan gyud ang atong mga isda as evidence sa mga sightings in different places of juvenile fish sa mga shorelines,” said  Poquita.

BFAR-7 implemented the three-month fishing ban at the Visayan Sea starting on November 15, 2020 until February 15, 2021 to allow spawning. During the period, fishermen were specifically prohibited from catching and selling herrings, mackerels and sardines.

Poquita also reminded the big commercial fishing that they are prohibited within the 15-kilometer radius of the municipal waters.

BFAR-7 is expecting an abundant supply of fish starting next month until May following the successful breeding season.

“Pasabot ani daghan og isda ani nga mga months,” said Poquita

Visayan Sea is one of the largest fishing grounds in the country. It is considered as very rich in marine resources but is also faced with several threats on destructive human activities such as dynamite fishing. It is shared by all the provinces in the Visayas.

Visayan Sea is surrounded by the Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas regions. It is bounded by the islands of Masbate to the north, Cebu and Negros to the south, Panay to the west, and Leyte to the east. — FPL (FREEMAN)