- Davao Gulf fishing ban to last three months: BFAR XI
THE THREE-MONTH fishing ban on Davao Gulf began on June 1 and will last until Aug. 31, 2025, to conserve and replenish the small pelagic fishes.
On Monday, June 2, Elaine Vera M. Belvis, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) XI Fisheries Management, Regulatory and Enforcement Division chief, said the annual ban is now in its 11th year.
This is in line with the Department of Agriculture-Department of the Interior and Local Government (DA-DILG) Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 02, Series of 2014, “Establishing a Closed Fishing Season for the Conservation of Small Pelagic Fishes in Davao Gulf” and Section 100 “Fishing during Closed Season” of Republic Act (RA) No. 10654, which amends RA 8550, also known as The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.
June to August is the peak spawning period of small pelagic species in the Davao Gulf, which stretches from Cape San Agustin, Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental to Talagotong Point, Don Marcelino in Davao Occidental.
These fish species include Big-Eyed Scad (Matambaka/Matangbaka), Mackerel (Karabalyas/Alumahan), and Round Scad (Galunggong).
During the closed season, the use of bag nets (Basnig or Tapay-tapay) and ring nets (Kubkuban or Likom) is strictly prohibited, regardless of tonnage and/or modified fishing gears with similar fishing operations.
Registered municipal fisherfolk, on the other hand, are allowed to fish using registered municipal fishing gears such as hook and line, gillnet, fish pots, and other permitted gears.
The constant harvesting of juvenile fish post-closure remains a pressing concern, which could compromise long-term sustainability.
Since the annual closure in 2014, there has been a positive, steady increase in landed fish catch volumes, according to the National Stock Assessment Program.
Erring violators will face severe penalties, including fines ranging from P20,000 to P500,000, imprisonment, confiscation of catch and fishing equipment, and revocation of fishing licenses, as stated in Section 100 of RA 10654.
