Daily TribuneBFAR officials stressed the importance of responsible fishing practices to ensure the continued health and productivity of these fishing grounds as they urged fishers to adhere to regulations and support conservation efforts
Photo courtesy of City Government of Zamboanga | FB
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has lifted its three-month closed fishing season in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Visayan Sea, allowing commercial fishers to resume operations.
In its social media post, the BFAR said that effective 16 February 2025, commercial fishing for sardines is permitted again within the Zamboanga Peninsula conservation area, specifically in the waters of East Sulu, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay.
Meantime, commercial fishing for sardines, herrings and mackerels has also resumed in the Visayan Sea.
To recall, BFAR implemented the fishing ban on 15 November 2024, to conserve specific fish populations in these waters. The closed season aimed to allow these species to replenish and recover.
The three-month ban is a key part of BFAR’s conservation efforts in the Visayas and Mindanao regions. By implementing seasonal fishing restrictions, the agency aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of important fish stocks.
It is also intended to balance the needs of the fishing industry with the health of the marine ecosystem.
BFAR officials stressed the importance of responsible fishing practices to ensure the continued health and productivity of these fishing grounds as they urged fishers to adhere to regulations and support conservation efforts.
