Davao Gulf closed for fishing until August 31- BFAR 

Fisherfolk and fishing companies are not allowed to catch fish in the Davao Gulf from June 1 until August 31 as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) declared a three-month closed season in the area. 

The annual closed season was first declared in 2014 when the National Stock Assessment Program indicated that small pelagic fish production has declined and has not been sufficient to meet the demand for fish in Davao Region.

 

BFAR Regional Director Fatma Idris said they will deploy six vessels to enforce the closed season, with two boats to patrol the Davao Oriental side of the gulf, another two along Samal Island, and two along Davao del Sur. 

 

Under the terms of the closed season, fishermen and fishing companies will not be allowed to catch pelagic fishes using ring net and bag net. 

 

The ban also applies to small-scale to large-scale commercial fishing with vessels from 3.1 gross tons (GT) to more than 150 GT. - Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/JJ, GMA News