Fishing ban on sardines, herring in Zamboanga waters imposed anew – BFAR

For the third time in three years, a three-month ban on the fishing of sardines and herring took effect on Sunday off the coastal waters of Zamboanga, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic resources said on Monday in a report on GMA News' 24 Oras newscast.

 

According to the BFAR, the seasonal fishing ban is on its last year, but the fishing and sardine canning industry in the Zamboanga peninsula in Mindanao has recommended that the ban, which is meant to allow sardines and herring to spawn, be extended in succeeding years.

 

The BFAR said the industry has experienced better harvests since the fishing ban was first implemented.

 

This year's announcement marks the end of the three-year ban the BFAR put on Zamboanga. In the past two years of its implementation, Zamboanga's East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay were included in the ban. BFAR also imposed a fishing ban in Visayas that year to increase the population of sardines and herring.


 

Zamboanga accounts for 85 percent of all sardine products in the country, with 11 canneries operating in Zamboanga City alone.

 

"Nothing to worry[about]. Sabi nila marami silang stock ng sardines. Hanggang ngayon nagsu-supply pa sila Tacloban," said Abdulkadil Manick, OIC of BFAR Region IX.

 

The Department of Labor and Employment Region IX distributed livelihood starter kits to those who will be affected by the fishing ban, including fishermen and factory workers.

 

"May profile kami ng mga workers na na-apektuhan, and then tinanung kung ano 'yung mga possible intervention na maibigay namin," said Sisinio Cano, regional director for DOLE IX. — RT/ELR, GMA News