Fishing for sardines in the southern regions has been halted for a 45-day biological rest period due to a significant decline in pelagic fish stocks. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has issued several resolutions to regulate the biological rest period for pelagic fish in different regions, in an effort to protect fish wealth and allow for natural reproduction. The decision to adopt a biological rest period was made after the National Institute for Research in Marine Fisheries presented alarming data confirming the decline in pelagic fish stocks by 36 percent, leading to the necessity of urgent intervention and strict measures to prevent depletion.