The Visayan Sea has always been one of the most productive fishing grounds in the country. For the 10-year period from 1963 to 1973, there was a general increase in the production of sardines, herring and mackerels as shown in Table 1. This fishing area has been intensively fished by commercial fishing boats such as purse seiners, basnigans and trawlers.
In view of this, local fishermen in Estancia and adjoining areas claimed that they get smaller catch each year, and that they cannot compete with the more effective fishing gear of commercial fishing boats. This fact has been aggravated by the closure of the Visayan Sea to fishing five months each year.
The fishermen requested the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, through the Western Visayas College of Fisheries to conduct studies on the scientific basis of the closed season for sardines, herrings, and mackerels as embodied in the revised Fisheries Administrative Order No. 13.