BFAR starts sardine fishing ban

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Noting the continuous positive impact of a seasonal ban on sardine fishing, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the fishing sector started implementing yesterday the closed fishing season in Mindanao.

The sardine fishing ban aims to allow an increase of its reserves next year.

The three-month ban will run from Nov. 15 this year to Feb. 15, 2026 and covers areas in the east of Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Zamboanga Sibuguey Bay. 

The closed fishing season, which was initially self-imposed by the fishing sector in 2010 and adopted by the BFAR, had a positive impact in the significant increase of the reserve as it allowed sardine species to spawn and regenerate during the peak breeding season, typically between November to February.

The BFAR in Region 9 led the kick-off ceremony as it sent its personnel, along with the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Police Maritime Group and representatives of the Southern Philippines Deep Fishing Association to patrol and implement the fishing ban in Zamboanga Peninsula.

Al-Zath Kunting, BFAR-9 director, said the ban temporarily prohibits the catching, selling, buying and transporting of sardines within the declared conservation zones.

“The continued implementation of the sardines closed fishing season is proof that conservation and livelihood can go hand in hand. Science-based governance, enforcement and cooperation among stakeholders make this program a continuing success for the Zamboanga Peninsula,” Kunting said.

Based on the BFAR-9 national stock assessment program, the landed catch of sardines in the region increased 33.5 percent from 150.74 million kilos in 2023 to 226.82 million kilos last year.

The total sardines landed catch from 2018 to 2024 reached 1.47 billion kilos, highlighting the long-term benefits of sustained management interventions under the closed season, according to the BFAR.