DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the region has commenced the resumption of fishing operations in the Davao Gulf on Wednesday (August 31) as they culminate the 9th year implementation of the closed season for the conservation of small pelagic fishes in the area.  

BFAR-XI regional director Raul Millana has stated that the three-month period closure of the Davao Gulf has been very effective as it allows spawning of smaller fishes in the ocean.  

“One of the measures man ni para ang katuyuan nato nga tagaan nato og time ang katong mga spawner maka spawn off sila. Dili lang kay sige lang ta og kuha, unya di nato tagaag time para pud mudaghan, (our intention is to give time to our spawners that they can spawn its not just having to fish all the time, we give them time to reproduce),” Millana said.  

Millana thanked the active participation of the law enforcement agencies, local government units, stakeholders and other partner agencies in this effort of Davao Gulf conservation.  

Attributing to the implementation of the closed season, BFAR-XI has observed an increase of 35 per cent in the total landed catch from year 2020 to 2021 along the vicinity of Davao Gulf.  

The yearly closed season, which covers the period June to August, has been institutionalized through DA-DILG Joint Administrative Order no. 02.

Although the closed season has been lifted, BFAR-XI will still continue to conduct full patrol operations as part of the monitoring and campaign against Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the region. (PIA-XI/Franchette Delfin)