3-month fishing ban begins

ILOILO CITY — The three-month ban on fishing of three species along the Visayan Sea begins on Nov. 15. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is enforcing the ban for fishermen to harvest and trade herrings, mackerels and sardines. Remia Aparri, BFAR regional director for Western Visayas, said the annual ban aims to reverse the depleting population of the three types of fishes along the Visayan Sea, considered as the country’s richest fishing ground. Aparri explained that the closed season will give enough time for herrings, mackerels and sardines to breed and boost its population. Areas covered by the closed season are northeastern tip of Bantayan Island in Cebu province; Gigantes Island in Iloilo province; Olutayan Island to Culasi Point in Capiz province; westward of Guimaras Strait; and northern coast of Negros Island. BFAR is urging local governments to step up in implementing the fishing ban, which will be lifted on February 2018. (Tara Yap)