BFAR: Avoid overfishing the Visayan Sea

CEBU, Philippines —  The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas is calling its partner local government units and other stakeholders to do their share in conserving marine resources to avoid overfishing following the opening of the portion of the Visayan Sea recently.

The closed season in the portion of the Visayan Sea ended officially on February 15.

“We have guarded our waters to make sure that the protected species could spawn and grow in number and we do not want to waste our efforts,” said BFAR-7 Director Allan Poquita in a statement.

Poquiga also enjoined concerned stakeholders to push for the management and conservation measures that would reinforce the lifting of the closed season policy in portions of the Visayan Sea.

This move is also aimed at sustaining the livelihood of the small-scale or municipal fisherfolk.

With the opening of the portion of the Visayan Sea that was closed during the spawning season from November 15, 2020 to February 15, 2021, fishers are now allowed to catch certain pelagic species, namely sardines, herrings and mackerels.

Poquita however said that for a span of three months the young species would not yet fully mature, the local officials may set an extension of the closed season just so to give more time for the young fish to grow into “marketable” size, which could be of higher value and of an advantage to the fishermen’s income.

Poquita added that officials could impose stringent measures on banning the catching of juvenile fish, which may still turn into adult species that could lay eggs, sustaining further the fish population in the Visayan Sea which is one of the country’s largest fishing grounds.

The BFAR-7 chief further asked for the cooperation and support from all concerned stakeholders especially at this time of crisis to maximize the available resources that have been the source of food and income to the marginalized fishing communities. — GMR (FREEMAN)