Ilocos sur: The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, through its fisheries division, has reiterated the existing ban on catching goby fry, locally known as “ipon,” to allow these young fish to mature and reproduce effectively.

According to Philippines News Agency, Fisheries Division Chief Christopher Ian Versoza emphasized the strict enforcement of Provincial Ordinance (PO) No. 14-03 in a recent phone interview. The ordinance is designed to protect the goby fry during their peak season, ensuring the sustainability of fisheries within the province. Versoza mentioned that a report was received indicating the start of the goby fry season, prompting a call for fishermen to desist from catching the fish during this critical period to maintain a sustainable market supply.

PO No. 14-03 specifically bans the catching of goby fry in the months of August and February, with penalties in place for those found violating the ordinance. Goby, or members of the Gobiidae family, are high-value fish prevalent in the running waters and lakes of the Ilocos Region.

For many local fishermen in Ilocos, the harvest and sale of goby fry constitute a primary source of income. To maintain an abundant supply of this regional delicacy, fishery law enforcers, aided by the police, deputy fish wardens, and the Bantay Dagat, are actively monitoring compliance with the goby fry ban and are on the lookout for potential violators.