The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has engaged the Negros Occidental provincial government for stronger implementation of the closed fishing season in the Visayan Sea, an official said recently.
In a statement, BFAR-Western Visayas Regional Director Remia Aparri said there is still a need to address illegal fishing activities such as dynamite fishing and intrusion in the municipal waters even during the period of the fishing ban.
The three-month closed fishing season will be from November 15, 2019 until February 15, 2020.
Aparri, who met with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol here on Monday, said the agency recognizes the big help of local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of the measure as it will no longer be led by the BFAR alone.
“We asked his (Lacson) help especially in ensuring strict implementation of the closed fishing season among LGUs in Negros Occidental,” Aparri said.
The BFAR official said it should be participated in by LGUs, which will be engaged both in the information dissemination as well as in monitoring, control, and surveillance.
Mandated by the Fisheries Administrative Order 167-3, the closed fishing season is BFAR’s annual measure to allow the spawning of sardines, herrings, and mackerels in the Visayan Sea.
During the period, it is prohibited to catch, kill, sell or possess sexually-mature sardines, herrings and mackerels or their larvae, fry or young known locally as lupoy, silinyasi, linatsay or manansi in the portion of the Visayan Sea and adjoining waters enclosed by a line drawn through following points and coastlines.
The Visayan Sea stretches from the mouth of Danac River on the northeastern tip of the Bantayan Island to Madridejos, to the lighthouse in Gigantes Island, to Clutaya Island, to Culasi Point in Capiz province, eastward along the northern coast of Capiz to Bulacaue Point in Carles, Iloilo, southward along the eastern coast of Iloilo to the mouth of Talisay River, westward across the Guimaras Strait to Tomonton Point in Occidental Negros, eastward along the northern Coast of the Island of Negros, and back to the mouth of Danao River in Escalante, Negros Occidental.
Aparri said the closed fishing season has resulted in a “little” increase in production.
“If still not higher, at least we were able to maintain production. It can still be maximized,” she added.
(Erwin Nicavera PNA via NDB)
