In a press release, DA-BFAR 6 reported that there was no violation committed against the three-month ban on catching, selling, and buying of the aforementioned fishes.

BFAR 6 Regional Director Remia A. Aparri, in a separate interview, noted that this showed that municipal and commercial fishers, traders, and market vendors are compliant with the law and respect the “Pahuway sang Baybay” (resting of the sea) despite the pandemic that challenged them and their means of livelihood.

“We are happy to see that our coordination with the municipalities for many years resulted in compliance of the people with the regulation. This management measure is for the people and in the long run, will also benefit the future generation,” she said.

The BFAR 6 has established field stations and floating assets in the provinces of Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental and conducted a total of 26 land-based operations, 22 seaborne patrol operations

Aparri expressed her gratitude to all government agency partners, local government units, fisherfolks, and coastal communities for their cooperation.

“We are positive that this will be translated to income for all as we enjoy the immediate results of the closed season. May we remind our LGUs and fishers to use prescribed mesh sizes (not less than 3cm) and types of fishing gear so that our efforts will not go to waste. Let us continue to work together for sustainable fisheries management in the Visayan Sea,” she added.

The Enforcement and Regional MCS Operations Center (ERMCSOC) of BFAR 6 led the monitoring and surveillance operations involving the municipal, provincial, and regional law enforcement teams such as the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in collaboration with various national government and law enforcement agencies.

The closing of the Visayan Sea covers a vast area of roughly 5,800 square