NFARMC OKs adjustment of closed fishing season for sardines in Zambo bays 

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MANILA, Philippines — The National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC) has approved the adjustment of the closed sardine fishing season in a resolution on Thursday.

Starting this year, the closed sardine fishing season in the East-Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay will begin on November 15, and will end on February 15, 2023, which will follow for the succeeding years.

Previously, the closed fishing season was from December 1 to March 1.

This follows after a study by the National Stock Assessment Program of the BFAR and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute in Region IX showed that the peak season for the reproduction of sardines was during the months of October to January.

“Our policies are continuously subjected to reviews and assessments. If scientific researches find our measures in need of improvement, then, we commit to modifying our programs based on scientific evidence,” BFAR National Director Demosthenes Escoto said.

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JPV