TIM eMagazine Vol . 2 Issue 9 kilometers long . It would have filled the sky from Manila to Ilocos Norte with birds ! Sadly , Martha , the world ’ s last Passenger Pigeon , was laid to rest in 1914 , just 48 years later – her kind completely eradicated by commercial hunting .
“ Given how important sardines are to our economy , we should ensure that our fisheries are well-managed . We fully support the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ( BFAR ) in creating a science-based management framework for sardines ,” says Oceana Philippines Senior Marine Scientist Jimely Flores .
Over the past five years , closed seasons banning sardine fishing have been implemented in the Visayan Sea , Tañon Strait and Zamboanga , which produces 80 % of the country ’ s output . But sardine reproduction is influenced by many factors . Closed season regulations are just one of many solutions needed .
“ Reviewing quotas and minimum fish sizes , banning certain types
Local fishers are allowed to catch sardines with spears and hooks , but not with nets . Unlike artisanal fishers , commercial sardine fishers use encircling nets to catch tens of thousands of fish in one go .
Fresh sardines are sold for as low as PHP50 per kilogramme . reflect the azure iridescence of the sky above . They ’ re numerous , yes – but individually , they ’ re very vulnerable .
As Danny signals our ascent , I take a last look at the shoal , still busy as ever . More mackerel swoop in . The slowest and unluckiest sardines disappear .
Unlike in Moalboal where sardines enjoy a degree of protection , many more swim in waters where the real free-for-all happens . Except this time , the mackerel and tuna are commercial boats – hauling whole schools with colossal nets and high-tech fishing gear like sonar and GPS .
When BFAR finally rolls out a sound sardine management plan , these silver fish can breathe easier . But if commercial fishers keep hauling more tha n what each generation of sardines can replenish , then I can only wonder how long it might be before there ’ s nothing ’ s left but silver scales , wafting silent in the blue . ph . oceana . org /
of fishing gear and enhancing our closed season policies will allow our fish stocks to recover ,” adds BFAR Assistant Director for Technical Services Drusila Bayate .
Global conservation organization Oceana believes that by combining sound science and policies to manage fisheries in just 25 countries , humanity can secure 90 % of the world ’ s wild seafood and feed a billion people every day , forever .
Moalboal and many places in the country still harbor immense shoals of sardines , soaring above and around coral reefs exploding with life . “ Now this is the world we envision ,” concludes Oceana Philippines Vice-president Atty . Gloria Estenzo-Ramos . “ Vibrant oceans teeming with life – able to feed Filipinos and act as bastions for biodiversity .” SAVING THE OCEANS TO FEED THE WORLD As we near the end of our dive , I take a closer look at the sardines , all of whom are nervously trying their best to not be noticed . It ’ s pretty hard because at first , they all look similar – but soon some pop-out , being larger than others or sporting scars or bite marks .
So these are the sardines we ’ ve been eating since we were kids – only this time , they ’ re no longer faceless . Alive , they flit and flirt and
These sardines have been dried as tuyo and sell for about PHP180 per kilogramme .
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