The Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources announced that it will ban the use of Danish seine fishing nets beginning in mid-March. The nets, which used heavy weights to drag the bottom of the ocean floor have been identified as causing extensive damage to coral and other seabed ecosystems and organisms.

According to the BFAR’s licensing division, more than 795 fishing boats are identified as using Danish seines; all will be affected by the ban.

The BFAR has set the start date for the ban in March, 2014 so as to provide the boats using the banned nets ample opportunity to switch their equipment before the ban goes into effect.

FISH ON!

 

fish, Fishing, Net Ban, Philippines, Regulations

By Sid

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