BFAR Implements Close Season for Sardine Fishing

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has deployed patrol vessels as the three-month close season for sardine fishing took effect Thursday, December 1.

Among the ships that were deployed to the protected areas following a send-off ceremony at the Mega fishing port are the two Monitoring, Control and Surveillance vessels–MCS 3006 and MCS-3009–and four 28-footer patrol vessels.

The protected areas included east Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay based on BFAR Administrative Circular No. 255, series of 2014.

The deployment of the vessels is to ensure compliance in the implementation of the close season for sardine fishing.

The vessels are manned by 17 BFAR employees and 52 personnel of the Philippine Coastguard (PCG).

“We do hope na walang mahuli na violators for this year’s close fishing season,” BFAR Regional Director Isidro Velayo Jr. told the Philippines News Agency.

Velayo said that based on BFAR Administrative Circular 255 it is prohibited for any person, association, or corporation to kill or catch, or cause to be killed or caught or taken, any sardines in the specified areas from December 1, 2016 to March 1, 2017.

He said violators will be charged in accordance with the applicable provision of Republic Act 8550 and other applicable laws.

The close season for sardine fishing is being implemented to allow the fish specifically herring (sardinella) and locally known as tamban, to spawn.

Lawyer Benjan Ilahan, BFAR fishery management regulatory enforcement division chief, said the close season for sardine fishing has proven to be beneficial to concerned stakeholders as well as the populace.

“The close fishing season we implemented during the previous years was full of success with the testimony coming from the small fisher folks, to the sardines factories, and was validated by research that there was an increase in the volume and size of sardines,” Ilahan said. (PNA)LAP/TPGJR/R.G. ANTONET A. GO