ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 1, 2012) – The Philippines has imposed a 90-day ban on commercial sardines fishing in Western Mindanao to allow fish to spawn.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said the ban does not cover small fishermen.
“The ban only applies to commercial fishing. Small fishermen can continue their catch,” said BFAR Director Asis Perez.
He said they also deployed two patrol ships to ensure the enforcement of the ban.
Local canning factories said there are enough stocks of canned sardines in the country while others are looking to import sardines from China so it can continue producing more despite the moratorium.
Tens of thousands of workers rely or benefit directly from canning factories for their livelihood. (Mindanao Examiner
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