A TEMPORARY ban will be implemented on fishing small pelagic fishes starting today, June 1 until August 31, 2023.
The restriction is implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Davao and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Davao under Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 02 “Establishing a Closed Season for the Conservation of Small Pelagic Fishes in Davao Gulf”, which has been implemented in its tenth year.
The order was first implemented in 2014.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Davap (Bfar) regional director Raul Millena said this is to give way for small pelagic fishes such as caraballas, galunggong, moro-moro, borot and matambaka to reproduce themselves.
“Ang mga small pelagic fishes ato nang tagaan og time aron mag-recuperate at the same time mag-repopulate (We give time for small pelagic fishes to reproduce and repopulate naturally),” Millena said.
“Kay based in studies sa atong mga regional statistics through sa Nsap (or the National Stock Assessment Program by Bfar), sa atong region, mao na ang mga bulan diin nagpamihod sila so ga-respawn sila (Our regional statistics through Nsap shows that fishes reproduce in these months in particular),” he added.
The JAO states only selective gear fishing will be allowed in Davao Gulf. Bagnet and ringnet gear are not allowed to operate within the closed season.
However, small municipal fishing boats that do not use active fishing gear or vessels are still allowed.
The regional director said during the close season, they are in close coordination with different agencies and local government units.
“[On monitoring], ang DILG gyud ang makahatag og instruction sa atong mga local government unit in coordination sa atoa, so naa tay law mga enforcement nagapatrol ani, mga Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, ug ang BFAR,” Millena said.
Under Section 100 of Republic Act 10654, it is “unlawful to fish during the closed season”.