Palawan Implements Three-Month Closed Season for Galunggong Fish

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources enacted a three-month closed fishing season for galunggong, or round scad, starting November 1, 2026, in designated waters northeast of Palawan. The restriction will run until January 31, 2027, covering approximately 35,943 square kilometers in the Northern Sulu Sea. The measure prohibits the use of purse seine, ring net, and bag net fishing gear for galunggong within the conservation area.

The restriction aims to address overfishing and protect the reproductive cycle of the fish species. Scientific studies cited in the regulation identified signs of overfishing in Palawan’s galunggong fishery. This action is central to the government’s conservation strategy for one of the country’s most widely consumed fish species.