The national government has recommended the immediate declaration of a "special management area" along the tuna fishing areas in the Pacific Ocean as it strongly objected proposals to extend the closure of the critical portions of the high seas to fishing operations beyond 2011. Malcolm Sarmiento Jr., Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director, said they proposed such move to help cushion the impact of the ongoing two-year purse seine fishing ban in the high Pacific seas to the country's tuna industry.

Gov't eyeing area for tuna fishing. (2010, December 23). Manila Bulletin, p. 13.