(Eagle News) — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) imposed a three-month fishing ban in Davao Gulf that started June 1 after reports of decrease in fish harvest in the area.
The fishing ban started on June 1 and will last up to August 1.
There has been a decrease in the harvest of pelagic fish and other species like mackerel (alumahan), scad (galunggong) and trevally (talakitok) at the 308,000-hectare Davao Gulf composed of the four Davao provinces and Compostela Valley.
BFAR Regional Director Fatma Idris said the three-month fishing ban will help the gulf to recover, for the fish stocks to increase once again.
Affected fish species include pelagic fish like hard-tailed mackerel, round scad and purse-eyed scad.
There are an estimated 40,000 fishermen who would be affected by the three month fishing ban.
BFAR said fishermen will be prohibited from using bag nets and ring nets.
This is the third fishing ban implemented in Davao Gulf since 2013.