Bicol, 2 other regions to stop sardine overfishing

By Ernie Delgado

MASBATE CITY --- The Bicol, Samar, and Calabarzon regions have been named beneficiaries of a fishery management program designed to address the declining sardine stocks in their fishing grounds.

The National Sardine Management Plan (NSMP) has identified the three regions as Fishery Management Area 7 (FMA-7) and aims to enhance science-based indicators for the sustainability of sardine stocks and the equitable distribution of benefits among sardine fishing communities.

“Isa itong sistema na naglalayong magkaroon ng sustainability ang sardine fishing industry. Ang tinitingnan natin dito ay hindi lang ang ngayon, hindi lang 10 years, kundi sa darating pang mga panahon hindi tayo mawawalan ng sardines,” Jumalin Barcellano, chief of Fisheries Management, Regulatory and Enforcement Division of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said during the Talakayang Pangpangisdaan.

As per official data, sardines make up 15 percent of the marine fisheries in the Philippines, with an average yearly production of 333,743 metric tons.

Over the years, though, this commercial demand has led to extensive overfishing, resulting in a decrease in the local sardine populations, Barcellano said.

“Sardines ang pagkain ng mahihirap. Lalo na kung may trahedya, sakuna o may mga bagyo, sardines po ang pagkain natin dahil madaling ihanda at mura lang. Sisikapin po ng gobyerno at stakeholders na hindi tayo mawawalan ng sardines,” she stressed.

To conserve and develop the sardine fisheries in FMA-7, the NSMP calls on the strengthening of policies, such as strict implementation of the harvest control rules, a catch documentation and traceability system.

Barcellano said the NSMP will complement BFAR fisheries administrative orders and circulars, including the implementation of closed seasons in areas abundant with sardines.

But any changes in policies will result from consultations with fisherfolk and experts in marine conservation, she stated.

“We get inputs from fishers although nakikita natin sa science na overfished na talaga ang status ng sardine stocks binibigyan pa rin natin sila ng mapagpipilian na aangkop din sa kanilang hanapbuhay,” she explained.

Barcellano said that BFAR has begun presenting the harvest control rule in various provinces.

This approach ensures that the policy is acceptable to fishers in municipal waters and those involved in processing the commodity, she said.

Barcellano said that the BFAR has established an FMA management board. In this board, BFAR serves as the chair, local government units act as vice chairs, and fisheries and aquatic resources management councils are designated as members.

The agency has also established an FMA advisory group made up of marine resource experts from universities and non-governmental organizations. (PIA Bicol/Masbate)