Spawning sardines help fish population recover in Zamboanga waters, industry leaders say

The fishing industry in Zamboanga and its sardines subsector are optimistic about their fish supplies in the coming months upon receiving initial reports from fishermen who said their recent forays into the sea have yielded more fish after the local fishing ban was lifted.

 

“We will probably get a much clearer picture of the impact of the ban after the study will be made available by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on the second or third week of April,” according to George Ledesma, chairman of the  Industrial Group of Zamboanga Inc. in a statement released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday.

 

Early December last year, the fishing ban was implemented in East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibugay Bay areas. It was lifted on March 2 this year. Tamban or herring sardine is the main  raw material in the production of canned and bottled sardines in the  Zamboanga peninsula. 

 

According to BFAR, tamban can regenerate 19 times more when they are allowed to spawn.

 

“Doing business and environmental protection through conservation are not mutually exclusive. The conscientious utilization of our finite resources while conducting business is the only way for sustainability,” Ledesma added.

 

Another business leader, Michael Cases, president of the In-glass Sardines of Dipolog Association, agreed with Ledesma. He said more fish were caught after the ban was implemented.

 

“We received reports from some fishermen in Dipolog that more tamban fish were seen near the shore after the ban. This is good development especially for our small fisher folks,” he said.

 

"The study will ensure that future fishing ban implementation would accurately fall on the peak spawning months. Hence, fishing industry will get the most out of upcoming conservation measures,” DTI said.

 

Ledesma noted that if the fishing ban is found to be effective, the local fisheries sector will cooperate in implementing a closed fishing season.

 

According to the DTI, the fishing, canning and other allied industries employ at least 30,000 in Zamboanga. — ELR, GMA News