BFAR to fisherfolk: Do not compromise sustainability

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas urged anew fisherfolk in the region, including those in Negros Occidental, not to compromise sustainability of marine resources by following the three-month closed fishing season.

The agency declared the start of the closed fishing season in the Visayan Sea on November 15, which will last until February 15, 2018 mainly to allow the spawning of sardines, herrings, and mackerels.

BFAR-Western Visayas Director Remia Aparri, at the sidelines of the three-day 11th National Shrimp Congress which ended Saturday, November 18, said it is has been an advocacy of the agency to encourage stakeholders to follow Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 167-3.

Aparri said the mandate is aimed at promoting sustainability of the three species of fish which could really help local fisherfolk by ensuring catch and increasing their income.

“The fishing ban upholds sustainable management of fishery resources thus, fisherfolk should not compromise the availability of these species for future consumption,” she said.

It is really for them so they should manage it as if they have the sense of ownership, Aparri added.

FAO 167-3 prohibits catching, killing, selling or possession of sexually-mature sardines, herrings and mackerels or their larvae, fry or young known locally as “lupoy,” “silinyasi,” linatsay,” or “manansi” in the portion of the Visayan Sea and adjoining waters enclosed by line drawn through following points and coastlines.

The Visayan Sea stretches from the mouth of Danac River on the northeastern tip of the Bantayan Island to Madridejos, also in Cebu.

It extends towards the lighthouse at Gigantes Island to Clutaya Island, to Culasi Point in Capiz province, eastward along the northern coast of Capiz to Bulacaue Point in Carles, Iloilo, southward along the eastern coast of Iloilo to the mouth of Talisay River, westward across the Guimaras Strait to Tomontong Point in Negros Occidental.

From there, it also stretches eastward along the northern coast of the Negros Island and back to the mouth of Danao River in Escalante City in Negros Occidental.

The BFAR, during the kick-off program in Cebu City last week, also conducted the send-off ceremony of coastal reinforcement officers to conduct seaborne patrol operations.

Aparri said that so far, no violations were reported in the region, as she pointed out that corresponding sanctions await violators.

Erring fishermen may be penalized of P6,000 in fine, imprisonment of six months to six years depending on the gravity of offense, and forfeiture of the catch and cancellation of fishing permits or license.

Base on trends, Aparri noted a decreasing number of violators through the years mainly due to awareness, resulting from massive campaign and implementation of the hard approach, which is the seaborne patrol operation.

“This initiative ensures that at the end of the day, we have continuous supply of fish for food, and also as commodity to sell for other needs of the family,” the BFAR official added.

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