• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Starting November 15 this year to February 15 next year, the Visayan Sea, which includes the territorial waters of Negros Occidental, will be “closed season” for fishing activities, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
In a statement, BFAR said the closed season aims to protect key fish species, such as sardine, herring, and mackerel, during their spawning period.
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, the BFAR further said.
The initiative is designed to manage and sustain fish populations in the Visayan Sea, supporting long-term biodiversity and fishing yields.
The Visayan Sea, an economic resource for local communities, is vital for over 100,000 fisherfolk who depend on it for their sustenance and livelihood.
The area is also a habitat for diverse marine life, including corals, mangroves, seagrasses, and marine protected areas.
Overfishing and degradation have been threatening the productivity of the Visayan Sea for many years, which paved the way for the establishment of an annual closed season for the period November 15 to February 15.*
