ZAMBOANGA CITY (February 25) – Conservation took center stage as the 15th open fishing season for sardines officially began in the Zamboanga Peninsula, with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) urging fishers and industry players to stay committed to sustainable practices.
BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig led the reopening rites in Zamboanga City following the lifting of the three-month sardine fishing ban on February 16 — a measure widely credited for allowing sardine stocks to replenish in key waters.
The seasonal closure covered major fishing grounds, including the East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay — areas considered critical to the country’s sardine industry.
“We thank the fishing industry in Zamboanga Peninsula for upholding the three-month fishing closure, which is essential to ensure that there will be fish to catch for generations to come,” Salilig said, stressing that conservation remains central to food security and livelihood protection.
Balancing economy and ecology
The Zamboanga Peninsula is regarded as the country’s sardine capital, supplying a significant portion of canned sardines sold nationwide. The annual closed season, observed from December to mid-February, is part of a science-based management strategy aimed at protecting spawning sardines during peak breeding months.
With the reopening, BFAR emphasized strict enforcement of fisheries laws and continued collaboration among stakeholders to prevent overfishing and illegal activities.
“As we kick off another open fishing season, we look forward to closely collaborating with our industry partners so that fishing activities remain sustainable while also advancing your business goals,” Salilig said, framing the effort as a “win-win” for government, business, consumers and the environment.
Multi-agency backing
The reopening ceremony drew support from local officials, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee, the Bangsamoro Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform, and the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology.
Officials marked the start of the season with a ceremonial gong-banging and the send-off of a fishing fleet to open waters — a symbolic restart for thousands of fishers, cannery workers and small businesses whose livelihoods hinge on the sardine run.
The open fishing season will run until November, with regulators warning that conservation compliance during these months will determine the long-term stability of one of Mindanao’s most vital industries.
