Sustainable fisheries management is needed to protect the sardine population in the inner waters of Bicol Region, which provides the second-highest production of this much-favored fish, next only to Zamboanga Peninsula, according to a nongovernment organization. During the recent orientation and workshop for the National Sardines Management Plan (Plan) for Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 7, stakeholders agree that the fishing grounds of Ticao-Burias Pass, San Bernardino Strait, and Ragay Gulf have an enormous potential in sardine production, but there is compelling urgency for stakeholders to work together to address the challenges in managing the sardine stocks. Based on the 2019 Philippine Statistics Authority Report on the annual production of sardines, the Bicol Region, next to the Zamboanga Peninsula, recorded the highest production of tamban and tunsoy. There are 20 sardines species that were found in FMA 7, including Sardinella lemuru (lawlaw) and Sardinella gibbosa (alubaybay/tamban/tunsoy).

Sustained efforts needed to manage sardine stocks in Bicol waters–group. (2021, June 17). Business Mirror, p. A9.