Zamboanga City - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has declared the start of the closed fishing season in the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Visayan Sea from November 15, 2023. This measure, part of the annual enforcement of Bureau Administrative Circular No. 255, is aimed at conserving sardines during their peak spawning period.
According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative targets one of the largest sardine fishing grounds in the country, encompassing the East Sulu, Basilan Strait, and Sibugay Bay areas. Originally set from December 1, 2023, to March 1, 2024, the closed-fishing season was adjusted based on research findings from the National Stock Assessment Program and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute in Region 9. The research indicated that the spawning of mature sardines peaks between October and January, leading the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council to approve the adjustment. During this period, catching, selling, and buying of sardines, mackerel, and herring in parts of the Visayan Sea will be prohibited to protect these economically important species during their spawning season. The closed fishing season will last until February 15, 2024.