Press Release
Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Regional Office No. 5
San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur
Email: region5@bfar.da.gov.ph
Telefax: (054) 361-2326

BFAR declares "Payao" closure period from July to September

Purse seine and ring net catcher vessels are not allowed to conduct fishing operation using Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) or locally known as “Payao” during the months of July to September 2011 if not authorized or accredited by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The FAD closure period is pursuant to Fisheries Administrative Order No. 236, series of 2010 otherwise known as the “Rules and regulations on the Operations of Purse Seine and Ring Net Vessels Using Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) locally known as Payaos during the FAD Closure Period as Compatible Measures to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) approved Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2008-01.”

There are Philippine flagged vessels that fish in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) using FADs and target skipjack and small pelagic fishes which also catch an insignificant volume of bigeye tuna. The purpose of this fisheries order is to reduce the by-catch or fishing mortality of bigeye tuna.  

This order shall apply to all duly registered and licensed Philippine flagged commercial purse seine and ring net catcher vessels that conduct FAD fishing in the Philippine EEZ during the period July 1 to September 30 of 2010 and 2011.

If any owner wishes to conduct fishing operation using payao during the FAD closure period, they should subject their purse seine or ring net vessel to the conditions set forth in FAO 236 such as accreditation of their fishing vessel/s and provision of monitors or observers on board the vessel during closure period. Accreditation shall involve inspection or measurement of fishing nets to ensure that depth of the net shall not exceed 115 fathoms and marking of fishing gears which must be done jointly by BFAR Central and Regional Offices technical personnel.

To ensure effective implementation of this measure, patrol vessels are deployed in all waters within the Philippine EEZ; no clearance or despacho will be issued to unauthorized purse seine and ring net vessels during this period; and BFAR-NSAP personnel will observe unloading of catch from purse seine and ring net vessels in public/private fish ports where they are assigned.

Non-compliance to any of the above provisions shall be a ground for suspension of fishing operations during the time period, or cancellation/revocation of the Commercial Fishing Vessel/Gear License (CFVGL). (rcanabe)