Close season for small fishes begins – BFAR-7

CEBU, Philippines - The new head of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 is intensifying the enforcement of fishery laws to ensure food stability, particularly on fishery production.

Just this week, an existing fisheries administrative order was reintroduced for the yearly policy on prohibiting the catching of small pelagic marine species particularly sardines, herrings, and mackerels in the waters off northern Cebu, bounded by the Visayan Sea.

The close season, which starts every November 15, was institutionalized through the amended Fisheries Administrative Order issued on March 2013 that elaborates on the prohibition and the penalties of the policy.

BFAR-7 Director Allan Poquita officially declared the close season last November 15 in Medellin town, northern Cebu.

Poquita said the bureau intends to heighten the monitoring and surveillance within its jurisdiction of the Visayan Sea to drive away commercial fishing owners.

Poquita formally assumed his new post last November 10 as the officer-in-charge of BFAR-7, replacing Andres Bojos who has retired at the age of 64.

Poquita said the close season will end February 15.

During the close season, small pelagic fishes are given the spawning period to replenish their number.

This is backed by scientific studies, according to Poquita, which found out that the period from November to February is the peak season for these species to spawn.

Poquita said the bureau wants to focus on prevention rather than on apprehension.

He said BFAR-7 deployed some of its personnel in areas near the Visayan Sea for the information drive prior to the opening of the close season.

A portion of the Visayan Sea belongs to Cebu, particularly on the northeastern tip of the Bantayan Island.

Within the next three months, BFAR-7 will dispatch floating assets for regular seaborne patrol operations that will be manned by the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police Maritime Unit and the Philippine Navy.

But if fishing operators insist, Poquita said they will be apprehended for violating the administrative order, numbered 167-3.

The order states that "it shall be unlawful for any person, association, or corporation to kill or catch, or cause to be killed or caught or taken from those waters, purchase, sell, offer or expose for sale, or have in his possession or under his control any sexually mature sardines, herrings, or mackerels or their larvae, fry or young… during the closed season from November 15 to February 15."

People caught violating the administrative order will be meted with imprisonment of six months and one day to six years and fine of P6,000. This may also lead to the cancellation of their fishing permit or license. (FREEMAN)