Visayan Sea closed to fishing till Feb.

Fishing of sardines, herring and mackerel is temporarily banned in the Visayan Sea.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) declared a closed season from November 15 to February 15 to allow the fish to spawn and reproduce.

BFAR Regional Director Andres Bojos said the four regions in the Visayan Sea — Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas will be closely monitored.

During yesterday’s Kapihan sa Isla forum, Bojos said several arrests of violators were already made in Masbate.

Bojos said there were already arrests made during the ban period, mostly from Masbate.

Gear and fish catch were confiscated, while violators face fines of P100,000 to P500,000 or if convicted,  six months to six years in prison and cancellation of their license.

The ban covers  the coastlines from the mouth of Danao River in Escalante, Negros Oriental,  northeastern Bantayan Island to Madrijdejos through the lighthouse in Gigantes Island, Olatuya

Island to Culasi Point in Capiz Province, eastward along the northeastern coast of Capiz to Bulacaue Point in Carles, Iloilo,  southward along the eastern coast of Iloilo to Talisay River, westward across the Guimaras Strait to Tomonton Point in Negros Occidental eastward along the northern coast of the island of Negros.

BFAR-7 noted an increase in commercial fish catch by 1 percent in 2013 and 17 percent percent in 2014.

The low trend in 2013 was attributed to fewer  boat landings (393)  compared to 447 landings in 2012 and 421 landings in 2014.

Highest production was  seen in 2014 even with fewer landings that suggest abundant fish in the  Visayan Sea.

For municipal gear types, catch production was highest in 2012 which dropped in 2013 and recovered in 2014.

Municipal fisheries contribute four to five percent in the overall fish industry.