Zamboanga bans sardine fishing

ZAMBOANGA CITY: The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) declared the closure of the sardine-fishing season in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The suspension of sardine fishing this year is the ninth time since 2011 to give way to the three-month spawning period of the fish species.

Under BFAR Administrative Circular (BAC) 255, the ban will be implemented starting December 1 until March 1 next year. The ban covered commercial fishing vessels within the waters of East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay.

In a news statement released on Monday following a speech read during the send-off ceremony for fisheries law enforcers in Zamboanga City, BFAR National Director Eduardo Gongona said the closed fishing season gives the seas ample time to be revitalized.

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“It allows for our sardines fish stocks to replenish, ensuring the abundance and productivity of our marine resources for years to come,” he said.

Gongona, citing data from the National Stock Assessment Program of BFAR Region 9, said there is a continuous increase of sardines in the last four years based on their monitored landed catch.

He said sardine catch rose to 141,658 metric tons in 2015; 148,718 MT in 2016; 165,295 MT in 2017; and 188,839 MT in 2018.

Gongona said sardinella lemuru (tamban-tuloy) tops among other sardine species with 183,884MT in 2018.

However, the DA-BFAR said the success of the Zamboanga sardine closed fishing season is not solely based on the increase in production.

The DA-BFAR has also considered the fisheries stakeholders’ cooperation and compliance as an important indicator of success.

Data from BFAR 9’s Fisheries Management Regulatory and Enforcement Division show zero violation during the closed fishing period for two consecutive years of 2016 and 2017.

But last year, fisheries law enforcers apprehended two commercial fishing vessels in the areas covered by the ban. The violators were charged under Section 100 of the Republic Act 10654, otherwise known as the amended Philippine Fisheries Code, for fishing during the closed fishing period.

Gongona said the establishment of Fisheries Management Areas (FMA) in the Philippine waters is set to further improve the protection and management of fishing grounds in the country.

He said FMAs will complement already established resource management efforts to boost food security and sustainability of fisheries livelihoods.

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With 12 properly managed FMAs in place, including FMA Four, where the waters off Zamboanga Peninsula are grouped, the sardines and the entire fisheries population now have higher chances at being restored, he added.

“DA-BFAR’s efforts are parallel with the guidance of the Department of Agriculture under the leadership of Secretary William Dar, where sustainable management of our resources ultimately result in bountiful harvest and high income for our fisherfolk,” Gongona said.

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