The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has announced that sardine fishing embargo is now end. BFAR director Asis Perez said the fishing grounds of East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay were now open to commercial fishermen. The ban was imposed to boost the stocks of sardine in those areas.
A study says that sardine needs three months to spawn given the migratory nature of sardines and vastness of the fishing grounds. Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat expressed optimism the local sardine industry would be able to bounce back to productive level following the three-month ban on sardine fishing.
According to Perez the studies on the development of larvae and juvenile of various sardine species during the closed season indicate that the closure was timely and that the areas covered are important spawning and nursery grounds for sardines. Recent observation in these areas reveals that harvested sardines and round scad appeared to be nearing maturity with length averaging 11 centimeters.
The Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association urged the government to expand the coverage of its research and to include the Bicol Region, Leyte, Cotabato and other areas where sardines are also caught. The association is getting all the support from local government helping coastal fishermen to harvest the juvenile sardine locally known as “lapuy” even during the close season.
