CEBU CITY – The fishing ban affecting the entire Visayan Sea began Friday, prohibiting all fishing activities in the area, a fishery official said.
Richie Deloso, information assistant at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 7 (Central Visayas), encouraged the public to help preserve marine life around the Visayan Sea to allow sardine, herring, and mackerel fish to reproduce during the closed fishing season.
Deloso said the public’s cooperation is crucial in spreading the information on the ban on fishing, which will redound to the benefit of the consumers.
The three-month closed season until February 15, 2025 will give sardine, mackerel, and herring time to mature, lay their eggs, and give birth so that when the Visayan Sea is reopened, fishermen will have more catch.
“Our sacrifices would only be for three months but what we do will pay forward to the next generation. Let’s help preserve and prevent depletion of our resources. If we will abuse our resources now, the next generation will suffer,” Deloso said.
Among the fish species that are prohibited from being taken by fishermen during the closed season are the “tuloy,” “tamban,” “hilos-hilos,” and “anduhaw” or “hasa-hasa.”
Violators of the closed season could be prosecuted under Republic Act 8550 or the Fisheries Code of 1998. (PNA)