The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas disclosed on Wednesday that fish production in the region continues to decline due to the proliferation of illegal fishing activities.

BFAR-7 spokesperson Laila Bragat revealed that the low fish production is due to illegal fishing activities such as the illicit use of commercial fishing methods and fine mesh nets.

In line with this, the agency has initiated a three-month fishing ban on specific species in various locations across the Visayan Sea and Bragat said, the ban or the implementation of a closed fishing season aims to facilitate fish propagation and ensure the conservation of crucial species, such as sardines, herrings and mackerel in the Visayan Sea fishing grounds.

Under the order, catching, killing, selling or possessing of mature sardines, herrings, mackerels, or their offspring known locally as " lupoy," "silinyasi," " linatsay," or "manansi" is strictly prohibited.

Bragat said the regulation focuses on the portion of the Visayan Sea and adjoining waters marked by defined geographic points and coastlines. Bantayan island in Cebu is the most affected by the regulation.

The restricted areas span from the mouth of Danao River in Escalante, Negros Oriental up to the northeastern tip of Bantayan Island to the town  of Madridejos, passing through the lighthouse on Gigantes Island, Clutaya Island, Culasi Point in Capiz Province, and eastward along the northern coast of Capiz to Bulacaue Point in Carles, Iloilo.

It extends southward along eastern coast of Iloilo to the mouth of Talisay River, westward across the Guimaras Strait to Tomonton Point in Negros Occidental, and eastward along the northern coast of the island of Negros, concluding at the mouth of Danao River in Escalante, Negros Occidental.

Bragat stressed the strategic implementation of the fishing ban aims to allow the marine ecosystem in the Visayan Sea to recover and flourish, ensuring the sustainability of fisheries for future generations.

In 2022, Central Visayas recorded a total fish production of 79,280 metric tons, a significant 46 percent decrease from the 2021 production of 146,710 metric tons. The 2021 figure was seven percent decline compared to 2020 of 157,410 metric tons.