ILOILO CITY — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas will implement a three-month “closed season” for fishing activities in the Visayan Sea from November 15, 2024 to February 15, 2025.
The closed season aims to protect key fish species, such as sardines, herrings, and mackerels during their spawning period.
The initiative is designed to manage and sustain fish populations in the Visayan Sea, supporting long-term biodiversity and fishing yields.
BFAR Western Visayas Regional Director Remia Appari stated that a send-off activity, dialogue, and information campaign will be held on November 14 in Estancia, Iloilo, to prepare for the fishing ban’s enforcement.
Approximately 130 participants, including law enforcers, inter-agency task force members, and stakeholders, are expected to join.
The fishing ban will cover a large area, including the national and municipal waters of Masbate, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Cebu.
The Fisheries Protection and Law Enforcement Group (FPLEG), along with municipal, provincial, and national law enforcement teams, will enforce Fisheries and Administrative Order No. 167-3 to ensure compliance.
