Issue No. 3

Closed Fishing Season Policy increases productivity of commercial sardine fishing in City

Fisherfolks gather their fresh catch of sardines at Bay photo courtesy of www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph & PhilStar.com

Who does not love sardines? A of fisher folks and fishing crews further through the efforts of great source of protein, these little of canning factories was also Roberto Baylosis Executive Vice fishes are tasty, easy to cook and seen. The study’s primary data President of SOPHIL Fishing very affordable. In fact, Filipinos were gathered through house to Association, Director Noel Barut, from all walks of life eat sardines house surveys, resource person Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos and Abdul and it’s a part of our rich food interviews and group discussions Gapor Abdua. The group pushed culture. with local stakeholders. the implementation of the policy A significant increase in not just in Zamboanga, but in the the productivity of commercial Policy In Focus whole country. sardine fishing and cannery due to In view of the issues on the Closed Fishing Season Policy the decline of sardines catch Sardine Industry In of sardines, that translates into in the Zamboanga the general improvement of the closed fishing season policy was According to Dr. Mudjekeewis economy and implemented. It aimed to increase Santos, Ph.D, Scientist II of the therefore increase in livelihood the population of the fishes, National Fisheries Research and and job opportunities for the fisher conserve and protect aquatic Development Institute (NFRDI) folks and their families. resources. there is an increase in the The Closed Fishing Season abundance of sardine population Impact Of The Policy Policy is Bureau of Fisheries in the Zamboanga . The policy increased the supply and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) “There were significant yearly of sardines and other large pelagic Administrative Circular 255 increases in sardine catch by the fishes, such as tunas and mackerels (BAC 255) series of 2014 entitled commercial and municipal fishers for the local fishers that results to “Establishing Closed Season for in Zamboanga area of up to 30% a better food supply and source of the Conservation of Sardines in starting 2013, the 3rd year of the income in the area. According East Sea, Strait and implementation of the policy.” Dr. to the latest analytic research Sibuguey Bay”. Commercial fishing Santos said. conducted by Elsevier and latest (Purse Seine, Ringnet, Bagnet He also added that the catch Philippine Statistics Authority and Scoop net) are not allowed yield of sardines have been data, there was an increase in from December 1 to March 1 of recorded in other fishing grounds fish stock resulting to increase in every year. But during this time, such as Davao Gulf, West Sulu Sea, landed catch of 181,918.51 metric municipal fishing is allowed. which were previously absent for tonnes. Increase in the incomes The policy was strengthened the past couple of years most likely due to a spill-over effect. Negative Effects of the Policy BFAR also provides input According to the Department and Alternative Livelihood of the assistance for seaweed seedlings of Science and Technology- Fisherfolks and seaweed farming that Philippine Council for Though generally effective, the establishes post-harvest facilities Agriculture, Aquatic and policy also has a few negative such as smokehouses, elevated fish Natural Resources Research and effects in the area, according to Dr. solar dryers. On the other hand, Development (DOST-PCAARRD) Santos. the local bottled sardines’ and implementation of seasonal control Fishermen working as crew canning processors are minimally such as the open and closed season members in the local commercial affected during the closed fishing policies for fishing regulates the fishing boats, are out of livelihood season. The canning sardines’ overexploitation of marine fish of during the closed fishing months. processors were able to develop species and resources. It also helped Reports also suggest that due to strategic measures that decrease authorities to ensure sustainability the oversupply of sardines even in the effect of the fishing ban policy. of the sardine population in the coastal areas, there was a decrease The local canning sardines’ nearby regions and also includes in the prices of sardines at levels processors also scheduled other species of fishes like the where the municipal fishermen the factory cleaning and red coral grouper or suno, green do not fish for sardines anymore maintenanceduring the three- grouper or loba, and brown marble which also cause the decrease of month closed fishing season. grouper or laping-baboy. income from fishing. The Future of the Policy Dr. Santos added “Anecdotal During the implementation According to Dr. Santos, the reports also indicate that municipal months of the policy, some of the policy is effective in maintaining fishermen have started to catch fishermen that were affected are the population of sardines and in bigger fishes such as tunas and enrolled in the 4Ps Program of the ensuring the ability of the fishes mackerels “tanigue” in the coastal local government unit. to spawn and mature. But NFRDI areas of Zamboanga Peninsula, Department of Labor and including BFAR and DOST- which were also already not existent PCAARRD can still refine the Employment and Technical closure time as provided by BAC for the past years, most likely due to Education Skills Development the availability of sardines as food.” 255. For instance, there is also a Authorityalso opened their need to consider conserving the According to local sardine livelihood training support minor spawning period of sardines canneries in Zamboanga, they programs to fishermen who were which happens during the summer have been operating at full capacity affected. The Commercial fishing season. in recent years such that their and canning companies have As provided by BAC 255, there warehouses are already full at likewise provided support to their is a Technical Working Group earlier months than the usual, even fishers, by employing them in (TWG) which oversees the during the duration of the policy. alternative work such as rubber implementation of the closure for tree planting. refinement of the policy.

Fig 1. Conservation Areas for Sardines in portions of East Sulu Sea, DEFINITION OF TERMS Basilan Strait and Zamboanga Sibugay Pelagic Fishes - categorized as coastal and oceanic fish, based on the depth of the water they inhabit. Coastal pelagic fish inhabit sunlit waters up to about 655 feet deep, typically above the continental shelf. ex: anchovies, sardines. Oceanic pelagic fish inhabit waters below the continental shelf. Ex: tuna, mackerel. Spawning Period – the time of the year which the fishes spawn or lay their eggs. Marketable Size – the size requirement of the fishes to be canned and sold as determined by the canning factories and market vendors. It is between 12 to 16 cm. (4.7 – 6.3 inches) Sustainable Yield - fish catch that remains stable at a certain effort. Catch Yield - or production, the volume of fish caught in kilos or tonnes. Spill-Over Effect - fishes that migrate outside its usual distribution area.