Palawan fishing ban begins

MANILA, Philippines — The yearly fishing ban in the northern part of Palawan began over the weekend, marking the start of a three-month restriction aimed at protecting roundscad or galunggong during its peak spawning season, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources announced.

The BFAR said the measure is intended to conserve fish stocks and ensure the sustainability of marine resources in the sea corridor.

“Starting Nov. 1 and ending on Jan. 31 of the following year, the use of purse seine, ring net and bag net in catching roundscad within the conservation area northeast of Palawan will be prohibited to protect the species during its peak spawning season,” the BFAR said in an advisory on Saturday.

The annual fishing closure, which has been implemented since 2015, covers a portion of the waters surrounding northeastern Palawan known as spawning grounds for roundscad and other pelagic fish species.

The moratorium is part of a broader fisheries management strategy to prevent overfishing and maintain the balance of marine ecosystems.