BFAR starting ban on sardines fishing

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 9 (BFAR) started Thursday its three-month closed season for the fishing of tamban, a species used in processing sardines by 11 factories in Zamboanga.
The closed season for catching sardines was supposed to have been implemented from November this year to January next year, but owners of fishing fleets servicing the sardines factories in the city asked for a delay by a month.
The government is worried that over fishing will not give sardines enough time to spawn and increase its supply.
Affected by the ban are thousands of workers in sardine factories and fishing fleets and factories that will have to lay off workers and have time to clean up and recondition their units and systems.
BFAR director, Atty. Asis Perez, explained that the closed season will mean P190 million worth of sardines will be saved every night for the duration of its implementation.
“It is just like you invest now to catch more fish later,” Perez said.
Every 100,000 kilos of sardines is estimated to lay 225 billion eggs. However, only 10 percent of that (22,500,000) will become full grown fish, but because of the implementation of the closed season, these fish will be saved.
To enforce the ban, Perez said BFAR will conduct joint operations together with the Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 under regional director P/CHF Supt. Elpidio De Asis Jr. and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Perez said these agencies have pledged their support to help in the strict implementation of the fishing closed season.
“We are requesting the fishery sector to comply with this regulation,” the BFAR director stressed.
He also emphasized that fishing is still allowed but in other areas not covered by the fishing closed season.
Perez said his office will use P10 to P15 million to implement the closed fishing season and another P5 million for the research component.
The office will also conduct a thorough research while the closed season is in effect.
The office has already deployed three patrol vessels and research vessels in preparation for the implementation of the closed season.
“We are prepared and we are serious. Gagawin natin yung dapat gawin,” Perez said.
The penalty for violators are imprisonment of six months and one day to six years, or fine of P6,000 and forfeiture of the catch, with administrative penalty of cancellation of fishing boat and gear license. [PNA]