CATCHING sardines, herrings and mackerels beginning November 15 in the Visayan Sea area is now prohibited as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) enforces the closed season for these fish groups until February 15, 2017.
The closed season is embodied in Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 167-3 which declares the particular period of each year as the closed season for the three most plentiful groups of fishes in the Visayas Sea.
Offenders will be subjected to imprisonment of six months and one day to six years and/or fine of P6,000 and by forfeiture of the catch and cancellation of fishing permit or license, said Bfar in a press statement.
Specifically, FAO 167-3 prohibits the catching, killing, selling or possessing 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 Visayan Sea and adjoining waters enclosed by line drawn through certain points and coastlines.
These are from the mouth of Danao River on the northeastern tip of Bantayan Island to Madridejos, through the lighthouse on Gigantes Island, to Olutayan 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 Tomonton Point in Negros Occidental, eastward along the northern coast of Negros Island and back to the mouth of Danao River in Escalante, Negros Occidental.
The rich fishing ground is bordered by the islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, and Masbate.
The Bfar Regional Field Office in Iloilo is spearheading the kick off of the closed season by conducting an information caravan, November 16, and the information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on November 18.
The IEC campaign will be led by Bfar National Director and Undersecretary Commodore Eduardo Gongona together with Bfar Assistant Director for Technical Services Drusla Bayate, and Bfar Regional Director Remia Aparri.
FAO 167-3 was issued on March 26, 2013, amending Fisheries Administrative Order 167 series of 1989, and had remained in effect since that time.
Bfar said sardines, herrings and mackerels in these waters must be protected and conserved so that future generations of Filipinos will continue to benefit from these rich fisheries resources. (PIA)