ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine National Police Maritime Group in the Zamboanga Peninsula has intensified its coastal patrols to ensure that commercial fishing boats are observing the "three-month fishing holiday" in the region.

Maritime Group Police 9 director P/Col. Salvino Piad on Tuesday directed all his operatives to conduct random patrols along the shores and fishing grounds in the region.

The patrols aim to ensure that commercial fishing boats are fishing in Sibugay Bay, Basilan Strait and East Sulu Sea, according to Piad.

"I ordered my operatives to conduct random patrols along the shoreline of the region, particularly in identified fishing grounds of commercial fishing boats," Piad said.

He added that he has also ordered his men to arrest personnel from fishing companies violating Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Administrative Order 255 or the Establishing of Closed Season for Bali (Sardinella lemuru) and Gold stripe (Sardinella gibbosa) variety.

Fishing companies are catching the Bali and Gold stripe varieties because both are suitable for making canned sardines as they are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that help curb heart inflammation.

The conservation of the species is being observed yearly from 1 December to 28 February.

During the fishing holiday, all commercial fishing boats are prohibited from catching the Bali and Gold stripe variety.

Piad also ordered his operatives to apprehend marginal fishermen catching the species in large quantities or for commercial purposes.

He also reminded his operative to continue the conduct of information awareness to fishermen on the effect and cause of destruction when they use blast fishing method in fishing.