BFAR-7 bans commercial fishing of sardines, herrings and mackerel

BFAR-7 assistant regional director Allan Poquita explains to reporters the rationale behind the banning of commercial fishing of sardines, mackerel and herrings at the 888 News Forum held at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel on Tuesday. (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

To allow sardines, herrings and mackerel to recover and multiply, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas (BFAR-7) has banned commercial fishing of these marine resources since mid of this month up to February 15 next year.

This was announced by BFAR-7 assistant regional director Allan Poquita at the 888 News Forum held at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel on Tuesday morning.

“This is for them to recover and it is the time for spawning,” Poquita told reporters.

Poquita said they do this every year to allow these commercially significant aquatic resources, often processed into canned goods and sold in supermarkets, to breed freely thus maintaining a sustainable supply.

Covered under the ban are the coastlines from the mouth of Danao River in Escalante, Negros Oriental on the northeastern part of Bantayan Island to Madrijdejos thru the lighthouse in Gigantes Island, Olatuya Island, to Culasi Point in Capiz Province then eastward along the northeastern coast of Capiz to Bulacaue Point in Carles, Iloilo. From there, southward along the eastern coast of Iloilo to 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.

Poquita said violators will be fines pay P100,000 to P500,000.