DA Starts 3-month Fishing Ban on “Galunggong” in Northern Palawan by mid-November

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to implement a three-month closed season on the catching of “galunggong” (round scad) in Northern Palawan starting Nov. 15, a top official said.

On the sidelines of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) kick-off celebration on Tuesday at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala disclosed to reporters the implementation of the three-month long fishing ban for “galunggong” starting mid-November until February of next year to ensure sustainability of stocks.

“We hope we could revive the supply of galunggong,” the DA chief said, referring to the possible outcomes of the seasonal closure to address problems such as supply depletion and stiff price increase.

“If we could double the volume (of “galunggong” through this initial closed season), and do the same for the following closed season, this would be a huge stride in just a period of 2 years,” Alcala added in Filipino.

Alcala said the enforcement of the ban for commercial fishing operators in the area was meant to replicate the success of the previous fishing closed season for sardines in Zamboanga and the Visayan Sea, which resulted in a significant increase in sardines catch.

Northern Palawan is the best spot for cultivating the species because it contributes 92 percent of “galunggong” sold in the Navotas Fish Port Complex.

The period of the fishing ban coincide with the peak of spawning period of the species, which is from November to February.

The closed season for “galunggong” was mulled over for almost 2 years and its implementation in late 2013 was deferred in order to conduct further studies on the effects of this possible seasonal closure. (PNA) RMA/FMC