CAPIZ – Joint fishery and maritime law enforcement teams have been deployed at Culasi Port here to intensify sea patrols ahead of the three-month Visayan Sea Closed Season, which takes effect on November 15.
The deployment on November 13 aims to ensure strict enforcement of Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 167-3, series of 2013, which prohibits the catching of sardines, herrings and mackerels during their peak spawning season.
Enforcement personnel from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (DA-BFAR) Enforcement and Regional Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Operations Center (ERMCSOC) from four regions – Western Visayas, Bicol, Central Visayas and the Negros Island Region – are joining forces for the operation.
They are working alongside the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police-Maritime Group and Capiz Bantay Dagat to secure the extensive fishing grounds of the Visayan Sea.
During the send-off ceremony, Capiz Gov. Fredenil H. Castro called on law enforcers to maintain strict vigilance and ensure the effective implementation of conservation measures to protect marine resources for future generations.
“Sa karon nga henerasyon kinahanglan gid nga mas maimplementar ang aton adbokasiya, maimplementar sang strikto, maimplementar sang mapag-un … i-implementar ang tanan nga safety nets para sa aton mga manggad sa kalalawran,” Castro said.
Meanwhile, DA-BFAR Region 6 Director Remia A. Aparri urged stakeholders and coastal communities to support the seasonal fishing restriction, emphasizing its importance in allowing fish populations to recover and reproduce.
“This closed season is a vital conservation measure that provides these important fish species the opportunity to reproduce, replenish, and sustain our fisheries for future generations,” Aparri said.
The three-month closure is an annual conservation measure designed to protect sardines, herrings and mackerels during their peak spawning period, helping replenish fish stocks and sustain the fishing industry.
Organized jointly by DA-BFAR and the Provincial Government of Capiz, the deployment forms part of their compliance and enforcement campaign for FAO 167-3.
The send-off ceremony also gathered Capiz fisherfolk and key officials from port, customs and maritime agencies as authorities prepared to strengthen enforcement throughout the closed season./PN