The Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will allow fishing of round scad, or galunggong, in Palawan indefinitely since it is still studying the effect of a seasonal fishing ban on fish numbers and on economic activity.
“We haven’t finished the studies on the effects of the proposed closed season,” said Fisheries Director Asis Perez. “We haven’t set a time frame for the ban just yet but the conduct of the study will continue until next year.”
The government has been looking into declaring a closed season on galunggong fishing in Northern Palawan to give fish time to spawn and drive down prices. Although considered the proverbial “poor man’s fish”, low supply has seen prices reach from P60 to P120 per kilo.
A similar fishing ban on sardines, herring, and mackerel in the Visayas Sea from November 2012 to March 2013 resulted in an increase in yields of galunggong in the area. The BFAR also declared a closed season in the East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strat, and Sibuguey Bay from December 2012 to February 2013.
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