The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) XI announces the lifting of this year’s annual three-month closed fishing season, resuming the ring net and bag net commercial fishing operations in Davao Gulf.

The ban, which lasted from June 1 to August 31, was enforced under Joint Administrative Order No. 02 issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI was established to conserve small pelagic fishes in the Davao Gulf.

In a culmination program held on August 30, 2024, at the Davao Fish Port Complex, Toril, Davao City, significant updates and discussions were presented on the current status and future directions of fish stock management in the Davao Gulf.

Ms. Rose Antoneth Loquere, Project Leader of the National Stock Assessment Program, showed a detailed report on the status of fish stocks in Davao Gulf which highlighted the positive trend in catch volumes, noting an increase in both commercial and municipal fisheries, along with a stable and rising catch per unit effort (CPUE).

The National Stock Assessment Program reported a significant 17 percent increase in catch rates in the Davao Gulf between 2022 and 2023 as a result of the annual closure, indicating an encouraging development in the production of small pelagic fish in the region.

A study presented by Dr. Edison Roi Macusi of Davao Oriental State University highlighted the economic benefits of the closed season. The study, titled “Closed Fishing Season in Davao Gulf: Catch, Effort Distribution, and the Fisheries Market Chain,” revealed that the closure resulted in an increased revenue and fish prices for fishers. While some fishers had to travel farther to find fishing grounds, the overall economic impact was positive. The study also recommended maintaining the closed season alongside other management measures.

“On the awareness with regards on closed fishing season, napakahalaga ng role ng BFAR, at role ng Provincial Fisheries Officers po natin, and of course of law enforcement kasi doon sa kanila kumukuha at sumasagap ng information from the IEC campaigns.”, Dr. Macusi said.

Ms. Chella Mae A. Dayanan of the BFAR XI – PMEU, discussed the bureau’s initiative to assist affected fisherfolk and fish workers during the implementation of DA-DILG JAO No. 02. She highlighted the collaborative efforts with other national government agencies, specifically DA XI and DSWD XI, to provide alternative support aimed at mitigating the economic effect of the closed fishing season. A total of 2,603 food packs were distributed to identified coastal communities in the provinces of Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao City.

The program also addressed the adjudication of fisheries law violations related to the Davao Gulf Closed Season. The Regional Adjudication Committee Secretariat reported that since 2015, 13 cases have been docketed, resulting in fines totaling to PHP 1,050,660.00. Recent violations in 2024 involved 3 medium-scale commercial fishing vessels, which were fined a total of PHP 582,426.

“I commend all our law enforcement agencies, local government units, Bantay-dagat, fisherfolk organizations, and stakeholders for your cooperation and resilience. This successful implementation of the annual closure led to a rise in small pelagic fish populations in the Davao Gulf,” Relly Garcia, Officer-in-Charge, Regional Director of BFAR XI, said.

DA-BFAR remains positive on implementing sustainable fishing practices in the Davao Gulf. Initiatives like the closed fishing season help the marine environment to rehabilitate and replenish its resources, ensuring the conservation of the Davao Gulf for future generations.

About Davao Gulf Closed Season: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/rbYzEX8npcvvuiNY/

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