The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has lifted the three-month fishing ban in the Visayan Sea effective Tuesday. Under the Fisheries Administrative Order 167-3, series of 2013, the government placed the Visayan Sea and its vicinities under closed fishing season (from November 15 to February 15) in order to ensure the protection and conservation of sardines and herrings (Clupeidae), as well as mackerels (Scombridae) during their spawning period. Last year, the country’s total sardine production reached 391,175.92 metric tons (MT), according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. About 15, 782.52 MT or 4.03 percent came from the Visayan Sea.

Gomez, E. J. (2021, February 18). BFAR lifts sardine fishing ban in Visayan Sea. The Manila Times, p. A7.