BFAR lifts ban on catching sardines in Zamboanga Peninsula

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) announced on Friday that it has opened the fishing season for sardines in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The closed fishing season started on November 15 last year, making it a three-month sardine fishing ban.

READ: Fish bounty expected from Pantabangan aquapark

“The closed fishing season prohibiting the catching of sardines in Zamboanga Peninsula, which started last November 15, 2023, is officially lifted today,” the BFAR said.

“Commercial fishers and small-scale fisherfolk may resume their operations within the conservation area, following the three-month ban on catching said fish species,” it added.

In August 2023, the  National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council modified the closed fishing season in the area.

Previously, the closed fishing season was from December 1 to March 1 and was changed to the present November 15 to February 15.

This was due to studies of the BFAR and the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute which revealed that the spawning period of sardines peaks from October to January.

READ: BFAR warns of fish kill due to El Niño