MANILA: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday announced the lifting of the fishing ban in the Visayan Sea.
In a statement, the BFAR said no closed fishing season violators were reported.
“No violation was committed against the three-month ban on catching, selling, and buying of sardine, herring, and mackerel species in the Visayan Sea,” it said.
The agency expressed its gratitude for the cooperation shown by the fishing stakeholders, including the municipal fishers.
“This shows that municipal fishers, commercial fishers, traders, and market vendors are compliant with the law and respect the ‘Pahuway sang Baybay’ (rest of the sea) despite the pandemic that challenged them and their means of livelihood,” it added.
In an earlier interview, BFAR Region 6 director Remia Aparri said this massive cooperation shall manifest its result through the catch.
“We are happy to see that our coordination with the municipalities for many years resulted in compliance of the people with the regulation. This management measure is for the people and in the long run, will also benefit the future generation… We are positive that this will be translated to income for all as we enjoy the immediate results of the closed season," Aparri said.
The BFAR, however, reminded the municipal governments and fishers to adhere to the use of proper fishing gear and mesh size net prescription, which should not be less than 3 centimeters.
According to the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 167-3 series of 2013, the closed fishing season in the Visayan Sea shall only be effective from Nov. 15, 2022 to Feb. 15 this year.
The fishing ban was implemented over national waters and municipal waters in the provinces of Masbate, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Cebu.
Source: Philippines News Agency