ILOILO City — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in (BFAR) Region 6 conducted a total of 710 joint sea and land operations during the recent Visayan Sea closed fishing season, significantly intensifying the government’s campaign against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in one of the country’s most productive fishing grounds.
The massive enforcement effort, carried out from Nov. 15, 2025 to Feb. 15, 2026, involved 453 joint seaborne patrol operations and 257 joint land-based operations — an unprecedented multi-agency drive to protect fish stocks and curb destructive fishing practices in the Visayan Sea.
The campaign was highlighted by BFAR-6 as it joined the observance of the International Day for the Fight Against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding marine resources through enforcement, science-based management, and stakeholder engagement.
The operations were conducted in coordination with BFAR Regions 5 and 7, the Negros Island Region, local government units, and various partner organizations.
Under the leadership of Regional Director Remia Aparri, BFAR-6 also carried out 59 joint information, education and communication activities aimed at promoting sustainable fishing practices and increasing public awareness about the dangers of illegal fishing.
The agency further launched 26 social media and radio interventions that reached more than 2.07 million people, helping expand public participation in fisheries conservation efforts.
Aside from enforcement, BFAR-6 continued strengthening fisheries governance through science-based management strategies.
During the Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 11 Summit, Aparri emphasized the importance of integrating scientific research and data into fisheries management decisions, positioning the region as one of the country’s early adopters of sustainable fisheries practices.
The bureau also partnered with the University of St. La Salle to advance marine mammal conservation and improve management of the Blue Swimming Crab fishery in line with international fisheries standards.
BFAR-6 said it remains focused on combating major fisheries threats, including hulbot-hulbot operations, fine-mesh net fishing, trawl fishing within municipal waters, and dynamite fishing.
Recent anti-illegal fishing operations in Concepcion, Iloilo resulted in the apprehension of individuals involved in dynamite fishing, demonstrating what the bureau described as the effectiveness of coordinated enforcement actions.
According to Aparri, the vigilant efforts of DA-BFAR Region 6 mark a significant step forward in the sustainable management of the Visayan Sea’s fisheries.
By integrating coordinated enforcement, community engagement, and scientific research, the Bureau is not only fighting against IUU fishing but also paving the way for a more sustainable future for Philippine fisheries./PN
