Sardine Fishing Ban Lifted
05 March 2012PHILIPPINES - The ban on catching sardines in rich fishing grounds has been lifted. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Asis Perez declared that the three-month ban on sardine fishing covering parts of East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay was lifted on Friday, 2 March.
Mr Perez made the announcement during a meeting and press briefing in Zamboanga City on the same day, reports ManilaBulletin.
BFAR research showed that for every ton of fish left to spawn, a three-fold increase in the biomass of the fish is expected. However, Mr Perez stressed, since sardines are pelagic and the fishing area is vast, the change will not be felt until after the next three months.
Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat is optimistic that the industry would bounce back and the city will retain its status as the country’s sardine capital. The Zamboanga Region has 454 commercial fishing vessels catching pelagic species like sardines, tuna and round scad.
Sardines, which include herring, are one of the major fish species caught in Philippine waters. BFAR said it is next to tuna in volume. Statistics for 2010 showed that sardines represents about 26 per cent of the 1.24-million metric ton (MMT) catch from commercial fisheries and 11 per cent of the 1.18 MMT municipal fish catch.
Last year, the total catch was down by 109,000 MT or 24 per cent from 452,000 MT in 2010.
“Our studies on the development of larvae and juveniles 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 the fish,” Mr Perez said.
Observations of fish catch from a commercial purse seiner in the Sulu and Basilan waters showed that sardines and round scad harvested appear to be nearing maturity, with length averaging 11 centimeters. The size for sardine maturity is 14 cm.
Concerned about the future of sardine fishing, the Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association (SPDSFA) urged BFAR to expand its research coverage to include Bicol, Leyte, Cotabato and other areas where sardines are also caught.
“If warranted, we will support even a nationwide closure if only to ensure the sustainability of the sardine fisheries,” said Jimmy Yap of YL Fishing.
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