Today starts the 3-months ‘Closed Season’ November 15, 2020 to February 15, 2021 in the Visayan Sea.
Species not permitted for catching, selling or buying during this prohibited period include mackerels (alumahan, bulaw, guma-a, hasa-hasa), sardines and herrings (balantiyong, tabagak, tamban, tuloy).
“Between November 15 and February 15 is spawning and breeding season for these fishery species,” according to Regional Director Remia Aparri of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, DA Region VI.
Visayan Sea is a vast fishing ground comprised by 33 cities and municipalities in the provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Cebu and Masbate.
It is also home to hectares of corals, mangroves, sea grasses and marine protected areas (MPAs).
Fisheries Administrative Order 167-3 of 2013 established a Closed Season policy for the conservation of sardines, herrings and mackerels in the Visayan Sea.
