The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) announces the start of the three-month closed fishing season for the conservation of sardines in the East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay on December 1, 2020.

In accordance with the Bureau Administrative Circular (BAC) No. 255, s. 2014, the closed fishing season in the Zamboanga Peninsula begins every December 1 and is lifted March 1 of the following year, prohibiting the catching of sardines using purse seine, ringnet, bagnet and scoopnet within the conservation area covering the western municipal/national waters of Zamboanga Del Norte, the waters bordering south and eastern waters of Zamboanga City and the southern portion of Zamboanga Sibuguey. Purchasing, selling, offering or exposing for sale, and possession of sardines caught during the closed fishing season is also prohibited during this time.

Sardines comprise a huge chunk of the total fish production in the Zamboanga Peninsula, accounting for 74.03% of all monitored landed catch from the area in 2019 and 68% of the total in 2018. There was also an 11% increase in sardines catch in 2019, continuing an increasing trend in recent years.

“This, indeed, re-affirms the veracity and correctness of our decision to establish a closed season for the conservation of sardines.” DA-BFAR national director Eduardo Gongona said, “Let us harness this opportunity to further enhance our collective efforts to support the law that aims to safeguard our seas in order to achieve sustainable fisheries, for the advantage of the whole fishery sector and for the country’s food security.”