ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) formally opened the 13th sardine fishing season at Basilan Strait, East Sulu Sea, and Sibugay Bay during ceremonies on Wednesday, February 14, at the BFAR conference room here.
BFAR-9 Regional Director Al-Zath Kunting and Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe open the 13th sardine fishing season in Zamboanga City. (BFAR photo)
Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. was the guest of honor and speaker during the ceremony.
Present were Mayor John Dalipe, Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja, Department of Agriculture-9 Regional Technical Director Melba Wee, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Aquatic Resources Director Mohamadtaha Pendaliday, Southern Philippines Deep Sea Fishing Association President Engr. Julius Daniel, Coast Guard Station Zamboanga Commander Capt. Larry Cendaña, and other officials.
More than 30,000 canning factory workers are expected to return to work after a three-month hiatus that started on November 15 last year.
The ceremony ends the ban on fishing Bali and Gold stripe varieties of sardines to enable these species to propagate. These two varieties are used for canned sardine products here.
The three-month ban on sardine fishing is pursuant to BFAR Administrative Circular No. 255 which establishes a closed fishing season for the conservation of sardines in East Sulu Sea, Sibugay Bay, and Basilan Strait.
Some 11 sardine companies operate in this city, earning the title of “Sardine Capital of the Philippines.”