Philippines Fisheries Development Authority – Davao Fish Port Complex (PFDA-DFPC) attended the ceremonial opening of the Davao Gulf fishing ground on August 31, 2023, at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – Regional Office XI. 

The closed fishing season for the Davao Gulf fishing ground starts on June 1 and ends on August 31 of every year. During the culmination program, BFAR presented the statistical uptrend of fish production of small pelagic fishes in the Davao Gulf, indicating that such conservation measures of fish stocks are beneficial. 

According to Joint Administrative Order No. 02, series of 2014, known as Establishing a closed fishing season for the conservation of Small Pelagic Fishes in Davao Gulf, the closed fishing season aims to conserve marine resources in Davao Gulf and to prevent overfishing. 

The PFDA-DFPC, led by Port Manager Albert P. Aguinaldo, alongside various partner government agencies, conveyed its full support and appreciation to this measure of fishery conservation. Clients and fisherfolk in the port are expected to make good use of the Davao Gulf’s open fishing months to increase their production and income. 

Representatives from the Local Government of Davao City (LGU), the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippine National Police – Maritime Group, and the Philippine Navy were also present during the ceremonial opening of the Davao Gulf fishing grounds.   

(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with report and photos from Kenneth A. Quindao – PFDA-DFPC)