Philippines running low on galunggong

MANILA, Philippines - The government will implement a three-month closed season for galunggong (roundscad) in Northeastern Palawan starting Nov. 15 to protect the population of the species.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council has approved the implementation of the no-harvest-season following a thorough study on the migration and spawning habits of the species.

“The closed season for commercial fishing vessels aims to conserve marine resources and to secure the spawning period of pelagic fish in the area and to continuously implement measures to address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” Alcala said.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) would oversee the implementation of the fishing moratorium until Feb. 15, 2016.

During the closed season, fisherfolk and commercial fishing companies are also prohibited from catching other pelagic fish using ring and bag nets to prevent the capture of juvenile fish.

The use of hulbot-hulbot (Danish Seine fishing gear) as well as collecting and exporting elvers, sargassum and corals are also prohibited.

The BFAR is implementing the seasonal three-month fishing ban in major fishing grounds in the country for the fifth consecutive year to protect the population of sardines, herring, and other small pelagic fish species.

The closed seasons implemented in the Visayan Sea, Davao Gulf and Zamboanga Peninsula resulted in increased supply of tamban and galunggong, attracting more tuna, their natural predator, to the spawning sites.

Alcala also said the Aquino administration would continue to provide substantial budgetary support to BFAR to enable the agency to properly manage the country’s fishery resources.