Visayan Sea fishing ban lifted

The three-month fishing ban from November 2019 to February 2020 was lifted on Sunday, Feb. 16. PN FILE
The three-month fishing ban from November 2019 to February 2020 was lifted on Sunday, Feb. 16. PN FILE

ILOILO – It’s open season again for fishing in the Visayan Sea.

The three-month fishing ban from November 2019 to February 2020 was lifted on Sunday, Feb. 16.

The ban covered herrings, mackerels and sardines. Now fishermen could catch them again, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 6.

But BFAR-6 director Remia Aparri reminded fishermen to harvest fishes the legal way.

Do not use dynamites, fine mesh nets or active fishing gears that destroy the seabed, said Aparri.

The three-month closed season in the Visayan Sea is observed yearly to allow herrings, mackerels and sardines to spawn. The goal is to make fishing sustainable in the Visayan Sea, said Aparri.

The Visayan Sea, one of the country’s largest fishing grounds, is surrounded by the islands of Panay to the west, Negros and Cebu to the south, Masbate to the north, and Leyte to the east.

The northern seaboard of Iloilo province is covered by the yearly ban. The following towns face the Visayan Sea: Barotac Nuevo, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Viejo, Ajuy, Concepcion, San Dionisio, Batad, Estancia, Balasan, and Carles.

Also included the ban are Roxas City, Pilar, Pontevedra, President Roxas, and Panay in Capiz province; and northern Negros Occidental’s EB Magalona, Victorias City, Manapla, Sagay City, Cadiz City, and Escalante City.

BFAR Region 6 observed no problems in its enforcement of the fishing ban. Aparri said there were no violations.

She cited the cooperation extended by local government units in northern Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Capiz./PN  

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