ILOILO CITY — Coastal communities in Western and Central Visayas are preparing for the annual Visayan Sea Closed Season, a three-month fishing moratorium designed to protect sardines, herrings, and mackerels, with enforcement and community cooperation taking center stage.
Regional directors from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Regions 6 and 7 led a policy dialogue to strengthen collaboration for the seasonal ban, which runs from 15 November, to 15 February 2026.
“Every patrol, every community dialogue, and every compliance report brings us closer to our vision of a Visayan Sea that continues to provide food, income, and identity for our coastal communities,” said BFAR Western Visayas Regional Director Remia Aparri, highlighting the need for a united approach to sustainable fisheries management.
BFAR Central Visayas Regional Director Mario Ruinata stressed the importance of community involvement. “This year, we are intensifying outreach and mitigation, especially in encouraging self-compliance among our fishers,” he said.
An open forum allowed fisherfolk, led by Estancia FARMC Chairperson Boy Pagao, to clarify the scope and rationale of the seasonal closure. Support also came from the Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Maritime Group, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Ports Authority, reaffirming their commitment to the three-month moratorium.
Dubbed “Pahuway sang Baybay” (Respite of the Sea), the closure protects spawning grounds and allows fish populations to recover, ensuring long-term sustainability of small pelagic fisheries. Technical discussions included the legal framework under FAO 167-3 presented by BFAR 6 Legal Officer Jan Rey Magallosa and scientific updates from NSAP 6 Project Leader Sheryll Mesa, highlighting the closure’s evidence-based benefits.
To boost awareness and participation, BFAR Western Visayas also launched a new community song, “Magbinuligay Para Mas Masulhay (Helping Each Other for a Better and Safer Life)", aimed at encouraging local fishers to actively support conservation efforts.
The dialogue concluded with partner law enforcement agencies holding an operations planning session to finalize strategies for monitoring, control, and surveillance, underscoring a unified front in protecting the Visayan Sea for future generations.