Fishing ban in Visayan Sea until February

CEBU, Philippines —  The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 has reminded fishery stakeholders in Central Visayas to adhere to the national policy, particularly the closed season or fishing ban in the portion of Visayan Sea, that will be enforced from November 15, 2022 to February 15, 2023.

BFAR-7, in its Facebook post, said that fisherfolk are banned from catching or selling specific pelagic species, namely: sardines, herrings, and mackerels, that are observed to spawn in this three-month period.

This prohibition is supported through Fisheries Administrative Order 167-3, which establishes the Visayan Sea closed season.

This move is aimed at sustaining the livelihood of the small-scale or municipal fisherfolk.

BFAR-7 also urged the concerned individuals or entities to heed this measure to allow the species to spawn and flourish in number.

“In the end, the fishery sector will benefit from this policy, which is expected to recover the fish population in the Visayan Sea -- one of the country’s major fishing grounds,” it said.

BFAR-7 recently held an information drive in northern Cebu engaging the different fisherfolk stakeholders in an interactive discussion about the closed season. — JMD (FREEMAN)