The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 9 declared formally the closed fishing season for “tamban”(sardine) in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The closed fishing season is from November 15, 2023 to February 15, 2024.

BFAR Administrative Order 255 instructed the closed fishing season to manage the fishing pressure upon sardine stocks.

The fishing break allows a variety of fishes, especially sardines, to repopulate in support to the production and sustainability of the fish canning industry in the region.

“This is a timely opportunity to reaffirm our commitment for the conservation of this valuable resource," Fisheries Undersecretary Drusila Esther Bayate said.

Closed fishing season means that commercial fishing is prohibited from the territorial waters of East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay.

BFAR Regional Director Al-zath Kunting pointed out that production need not be increased as the fishing ground has the carrying capacity.

“Ang pina-priority ko is sardines, how sardines will be sustained, how the industry will be sustained. Gano’n po. Di na kailangan nating dagdagan ang production kasi ang fishing ground has the carrying capacity,” he underscored.

As for employees who are to lose temporarily their jobs because of the three-month relax on fishing activities, Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Albert Gutib said that they have a proposed budget of P11 million for the emergency employment of 2,600 affected fishing and canning factory workers.