ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 9 (BFAR-9) or Zamboanga Peninsula has noted a continuous increasing trend in the catch of sardines since it first implemented the closed season for sardine fishing 10 years ago.
BFAR-9 Director Isidro Velayo Jr., in a statement Thursday, said record show sardines catch rose through the years to 141,658 metric tons (MT) in 2015; 148,718 MT in 2016; 165,295 MT in 2017; 188,839 MT in 2018; 208,800.20 MT in 2019; and, 297,683.49 MT in 2020.
BFAR Administrative Circular (BAC) 255 mandating the closed season for the conservation of sardines is implemented annually from Dec. 1 to March 1.
During the latest implemention of the order that is still in effect, the Fisheries Resources Protection Group (FRPG) of BFAR-9 has so far made seven apprehensions in the East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay.
Velayo did not name the arrested persons who violated Sections 86, 95, 98, and 113 of Republic Act 10654, "An act to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending RA 8550, otherwise known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998".
To ensure compliance with BAC 225, BFAR-9 deployed two 30-meter patrol boats, MCS-3003 and MCS-3006, and four Multi-Mission Patrol Boats (MMPBs) to patrol the areas covered by the sardine fishing ban.
Meanwhile, Velayo said a simple lifting ceremony for the 10th Open Season for Sardines Fishing will be held on March 1 at the fishing port complex of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority in Barangay Sangali, this city.
He said commercial fishers may then resume their operations in the waters of East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay.
The BFAR-9 director expressed his gratitude to the fishing and canning companies, local government units, partner agencies, academe, non-government organizations, media and all stakeholders for their all-out support and active involvement in the successful implementation of the sardine conservation management measure. (PNA)
