ILOILO — To protect dwindling marine resources of the Visayan Sea and allow commercially important fish species to reproduce, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas is poised to enforce a three-month fishing ban.
Erring fishing operators in designated portions of the Visayan Sea face fines of up to P500,000 and possible imprisonment.
Dubbed “Pahuway sang Baybay” (Respite of the Sea), the annual closed fishing season runs from November 15 to February 15, prohibiting the catching, selling and buying of certain sardines, herrings and mackerels within designated fishing grounds.
The restriction covers sardines locally known as tuloy, tamban and tabagak; herrings such as balantiyong; and mackerels including guma-a, bulao and hasa-hasa.
BFAR Region 6 said the temporary fishing shutdown is intended to protect these species during their peak spawning season, allowing fish populations to recover and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the fishing industry.
“We must allow the sea to rest, to make space for the growth and reproduction of our fish species,” BFAR-6 director Remia Aparri said.
Aparri said authorities would intensify maritime patrols and enforcement operations to prevent illegal fishing throughout the closed season.
Under the enforcement measures outlined by BFAR-6, municipal fishers caught violating the ban face fines starting at P20,000, in addition to penalties equivalent to three times the market value of their confiscated catch.
Small-scale commercial fishing operators face fines of up to P100,000, while medium- and large-scale commercial operators may be penalized from P300,000 to P500,000 and face imprisonment of up to six months.
Authorities may also confiscate illegally caught fish, fishing gear and vessel equipment used in violations.
BFAR-6 will conduct joint patrols with the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police Maritime Group and local municipal maritime enforcement units to ensure compliance.
The fishing prohibition covers portions of the Visayan Sea extending from Escalante City in Negros Occidental to Santa Fe and Madridejos in Cebu, and toward Gigantes Island in Iloilo.
Other designated boundaries include Olotayan Island and Roxas City in Capiz, as well as the waters between Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo and E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental.
“Sa tion sang closed season sa Visayan Sea, ginahatagan sang kahigayunan ang ini nga mga sahi sang isda para makapangitlog, magpadamo, kag magdalagko sa sulod sang tatlo ka bulan,” BFAR-6 explained.
The agency emphasized that protecting breeding grounds is essential to maintaining fish stocks, sustaining commercial catches and securing the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on the Visayan Sea.
It also reminded fish traders, vendors and consumers that, “Sakop sa pagpatuman sang amo ‘ni nga layi ang pagdumili sang pagdakop, pagbaligya, kag pagbakal sang sini nga mga isda.”
The agency urged fishing communities and industry stakeholders to cooperate, stressing that temporarily suspending fishing activities during the breeding season is necessary to prevent the depletion of marine resources and preserve the Visayan Sea’s productivity for future generations./PN
