Closed seasons forced a sudden rise in the prices of fresh and canned sardines, mackerel and herring.
Fisheries officers in Philippines warned an imminent increase in prices of fresh and canned sardines, mackerel and herring, because supplies of these fishes are too thin all over the country due to overexploited fishing grounds. In celebration of Fish Conservation Month president Rogelio Amatorio said in the past few years, fishing grounds become overpopulated with many fishermen sharing spaces with hundreds of others.
Once there was fish jumping off just near the shore but now fishermen have to go deep into seas to get a good catch, says Amatorio. He said that the problem lies on competition between small-scale fishermen and large commercial fishing vessels. Overfishing activities also contribute to the woes of the fishermen.
BFAR-Cordillera Director Rebecca Dangawan said the agency’s recent move is to declare a moratorium of catching these small species at least even only during their spawning period. Supervising Aquaculturist of the BFAR central office Melannie Guerra, however, said they are still mulling this new policy, as it will surely affect the $749 million fishing industry that employs thousands in the country.
