BFAR bans fishing in Mindanao

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Published on 03 December 2012
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Written by AL JACINTO

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Director Asis Perez (left) and Glenn Harry, executive director of the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) address the media during the Ninth Session of the WCPFC, which tackled the problems besetting the tuna trade. PHOTO BY EDWIN MULI

 

 

 

 

 

The Philippines has imposed a 90-day ban on commercial sardines fishing in Western Mindanao to allow fish to spawn and mature.


The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that the ban does not cover small fishermen.

“The ban only applies to commercial fishing. Small fishermen can continue their catch,” said BFAR Director Asis Perez.

He said that two patrol ships were deployed to ensure the enforcement of the ban.

Local canning factories said that there are enough stocks of canned sardines in the country, while others are looking to import sardines from China so it can continue producing more despite the moratorium.

Tens of thousands of workers rely for livelihood or benefit directly from canning factories here in the country.