ILOILO CITY—The fishing season for sardines, mackerel and herring in the Visayan Sea will officially start February 15, according to Western Visayas Regional Director Remia A. Aparri of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Aparri said fishery stakeholders will gather Thursday next week in Panay, Capiz for a ceremony that will formally open the fishing season. She revealed that BFAR directors from Regions 5, 7 and 8 will be joining the activity since their coastal waters are also included in the Visayan Sea.
BFAR declared a three-month closed season for sardines, mackerel and herrings starting Nov. 15 last year as these are the spawning period for the fish species.
She cited that the annual increase of fisheries production as a result of the initiative is at 3.58 percent.
Local chief executives of host municipal waters will also be invited so that from what they will see in the presentations during the program they would be able to “come up with plans and policies in managing their waters within the Visayan Sea.”