Closed fishing season starts
THE region marks the fifth closed season for fishing in a program held at the Fish Port Complex in Daliao, Toril, Davao City yesterday, headed by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 11 (Bfar 11) Regional Director Fatma M. Idris.
The observance of the closed fishing period, which runs from June 1 to August 31 of each year prohibits the fish taking or catching of small pelagic fishes locally known as karabalyas, galunggong, and matang baka among others in the gulf area. Pelagic fishes are so classified as these species live in the zone of gulf or lake waters - being neither close to the bottom nor near the shore. Prohibited fishing gears are bag nets and ring nets that can catch fish of commercial scale. The prohibited fishing vessel used is regardless of tonnage – thus even municipal fishing that utilizes the aforesaid fishing gears and similar fishing gears or operation are outlawed for the specified period. Small fishermen who ventures into fishing for sustenance may be allowed to fish provided they do not used the prohibited gears.
The implementation recorded successful intensive law enforcement by BFAR Fishery Protection and Law Enforcement Group (FPLEG) and the PNP- Regional Maritime Unit, Philippine Coast Guard and LGU Fishery Law Enforcers as apprehensions in violation of Section 100 of RA 10654 were filed before our Regional Adjudication Committee. For year 2015 a commercial fishing vesselringnet was apprehended for violations of RA 10654 Section 86 Unauthorized Fishing and Sec 100 Fishing during Closed Season in relation to JAO No. 02 Davao Gulf Closed Season wherein a fine of Php 45,000.00 was paid. On year 2016, another commercial fishing vesselringnet was apprehended for violations of RA 10654 Section 86, Sec 100 and Sec 113 Employing Unlicensed Fishworkers wherein a fine of Php 78,554.88.00 was paid. And last year, a case was filed by PNP RMU XI in violation of RA 10654 Sec 86 and Sec 100 wherein fines imposed is waiting for payment of offer.
Fines and penalties in relation to provisions of RA 10654 amending RA 8550 for municipal fishing, a penalty of P20, 000.00 or three times the value of catch is imposable, whichever is higher.
Commercial scale may be imposed with penalties ranging from 100,000.00 to 500,000.00 or five times the value of catch, whichever is higher. Upon conviction by a court of law, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment of six (6) months and one (1) day to six (6) years, confiscation of catch and gear, and fine twice the amount of the administrative fine and cancellation of license or permit.
The study of the National Stock Assessment Program revealed a stock downtrend of the production of small pelagic fish species for the immediately preceding year pegged at approximately 3,522.5 M tons. Comparably the decrease of about 4% or 133.5 M tons for the sampled species is a deviation from the positive trend since 2015. What scientists and researchers are looking at is the probable effect of climate change since other influencing factors such as intensive law enforcement, regulatory and licensing are constantly made in place.
Moreover, recent update of oceanographic survey in Davao Gulf of the MV DA BFAR DYCA implied a good impact brought about by the close season. Since 2014, average density of biological resources increases particularly the fish larvae. However, a result of oceanographic surveys varies every year due to effects of natural phenomena such as typhoons, El Nino and La Nina that affects the productivity of the surrounding environment. M/V DA-BFAR will revisit the area from June to October 2018 to have a 5 months profile as to the distribution and abundance of small pelagic larvae before, during and after the closure.