ILOILO — With illegal fishing still “deeply entrenched” in parts of northern Iloilo, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is launching one of its toughest enforcement pushes yet as the Visayan Sea enters a three-month closed season starting this November 15.
Officials said the crackdown will run parallel to the annual ban on catching key pelagic species, a move designed not only to protect spawning fish but also to break the cycle of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing that continues to deplete one of the country’s richest fishing grounds.
“We must allow the sea to rest, to make space for the growth and reproduction of our fish species,” said BFAR Region 6 director Remia Aparri, who stressed that enforcement operations will be intensified during the ban that lasts until February 15, 2026.
Illegal fishing persists despite patrols
Aparri acknowledged persistent offenses — including dynamite fishing in Carles and other parts of Northern Iloilo — even with expanded patrols and community interventions.
“Our work is not just about stopping illegal activities; it’s about preserving our marine resources for future generations and improving the livelihoods of those who rely on them,” she said, adding that she had ordered an internal assessment of enforcement gaps.
“Wala kita sang i-trade kun ang isda maubos because of IUU fishing. This is about food security, nutrition, and the well-being of everybody,” she stressed.
Tough penalties await violators
BFAR warned that those caught defying the closed season face stiffer penalties:
* ₱20,000 plus triple the catch value for municipal fishers
* Up to ₱100,000 for small-scale fishers
* ₱300,000 to ₱500,000 and possible six months’ imprisonment for medium and commercial operators
Confiscation of gear and catch will also be enforced.
“Yes, prices may rise temporarily due to supply and demand, but this is a momentary sacrifice for a sustainable future,” Aparri said.
Most-affected provinces bracing for strict implementation
The closure affects coastlines of Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Occidental, and Masbate, areas classified as “most affected.”
Banned species during the breeding cycle include Dumaa, Sardinas, Tabagak, Bulaw, and Alumaan.
Although the Visayan Sea hosts around 535 fish species, these are among the most vulnerable during spawning months.
Despite strong production, BFAR warns of risks ahead
Western Visayas posted a fish sufficiency level of 117% and saw output rise from 52,415 metric tons (MT) to 59,786 MT this year.
Among species unloaded from January to October 2025 were:
* Bangus — 4,423.30 MT
* Tamodios — 4,136.27 MT
* Bisugo — 2,509.75 MT
But Aparri warned that such gains are fragile.
“It is a shared responsibility — protecting our seas is not solely the duty of fishermen; it involves all of us,” she said.
“If we lose these habitats, we lose our fish,” she added, citing mangrove loss, seagrass decline, and coral reef degradation as critical threats.
Call for unified stewardship
Aparri underscored that long-term sustainability depends on governance that works across all levels:
“Governance is a challenge not only ni LGU, but in different levels nga dapat ang mga policy, mga plano regarding policy and management ma-implement. It’s not only BFAR’s mandate and tasks but is everybody’s concern nga tanan kita magbuylog kag indi naton pag abusaran ang aton pagpangisda, amligan naton ang aton critical habitats.”
As the closed season begins, BFAR is appealing for full cooperation from fisherfolk, local governments, and coastal communities.
“We are all stewards of this precious resource; it is our duty to care for and protect our oceans,” Aparri said./PN
