ILOILO City – To boost the Iloilo River’s fish population, the city government will enforce a three-month fishing moratorium starting December 1, 2025 — a first in recent years aimed squarely at safeguarding critical spawning grounds identified by fisheries experts.
The closed season, which will last until the first week of March 2026, covers the stretch from the bridge near the fast craft terminal to Carpenter’s Bridge.
All types of fishing — even recreational hook-and-line — will be banned in the designated zone.
City Agriculturist Iñigo Garingalao said the move is backed by a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) study confirming that the December–March period is the peak spawning season for bulgan and other native species, making the river particularly vulnerable to disturbance.
“This is responsible governance and responsible care for our natural resources. If we give the river time to recover, there will be more for everyone to enjoy,” Garingalao said.
He urged full cooperation from anglers and residents, noting that the river draws fishers not only from Iloilo City but from neighboring towns as well.
“I am asking everyone to cooperate because what we enjoy today, we want our next generations of fishers to enjoy as well,” he added.
Garingalao also hinted at additional regulatory measures being studied, including future fishing zones, limits on gear such as per kilo, and size restrictions on catch to promote long-term ecological balance.
The initiative is part of the city’s broader rehabilitation strategy for the Iloilo River, which has seen growing pressure from fishing activity, urbanization, and habitat degradation.
Officials hope the enforced recovery period will help replenish fish stocks and strengthen the river’s biodiversity for years to come./PN
