ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources led send-off activities Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Majini Pier of the Naval Station Romulo M. Espaldon in Calarian, Zamboanga City to signal the start of the closed fishing season at the Zamboanga Peninsula.

From Dec. 1 to March 1, fishing personnel, mostly from big sardine and canning factories, are prohibited from catching “tamban” or sardines to enhance propagation of the species.

“Commercial fishing with the use of purse seine, ringnet, bagnet, and scoop net in catching sardines within the conservation area covering the portion of east Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay is prohibited to protect the species during its peak spawning season,” stated BFAR.

The conservation area is more than 6,000-square nautical miles encompassing the western municipal waters of Zamboanga del Norte, the waters bordering south and east of Zamboanga City, and the southern portion of Zamboanga Sibugay.

BFAR regional director Al-Zhat Kunting has called on the Maritime Group, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine Navy to help them guard the sea from fishing boats that might violate the fishing ban.

The closed fishing season is implemented in accordance with BFAR Administrative Circular 255, Series of 2014.

Some 11 sardine canning factories are operating in Zamboanga City, making the city the ‘’Sardine Capital of the Philippines.’’