ILOILO CITY, Philippines—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has implemented a four-month ban on sardines, herring and mackerels in most of the Visayan Sea as part of efforts to conserve and preserve fish species.

BFAR Western Visayas director Drusila Bayate said the "closed season" started on November 15 and would last until March 15, 2009.

The ban has been implemented annually since 1989 under BFAR Administrative Order 167 to protect the Visayan Sea, one of the richest fishing grounds in the country.

Under the order, the killing and the catching of the sardines, herrings and mackerels are prohibited within the closed season. Selling, buying and having possession of the three fish species are also illegal.

The ban covers mature fish or their larvae, fry or young.

Any violation of the prohibition will be punishable with a fine from P500 to P5,000 or an imprisonment from six months to four years or both.

The area covered is more than half of the 10,000-square meter Visayan Sea, a rich fishing ground because of its generally shallow waters, and located mostly in northern Negros, northern Iloilo and along municipal waters.

The efforts to protect the Visayan Sea have been stepped up in recent years due to reports of the massive depletion of fish stock due to over fishing and pollution.