Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 7) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday assured the public that the supply of sardines in the country remains sufficient.
“Based on current data from both the Philippine Statistics Authority and the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), sufficiency level for sardine or tamban is pegged at 222.58% for the first quarter of 2022, and 409.06% for the 2nd quarter,” the DA said in a statement.
The department added that the annual production for this year was forecast at 293,431 metric tons (MT), which are sourced locally from commercial and municipal fishers, and can cover the national demand of 101,367 MT.
Data from the National Stock Assessment Program of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute also showed that sardine stock has significantly improved, the DA noted.
“The stable supply is attributed to the effective implementation of the National Sardine Management Plan, a five-year plan which harmonizes all the policies and programs on sardines including conservation measures such as the closed fishing seasons,” it explained.
The Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines (CSAP) earlier warned of a looming shortage, and said municipal waters should be opened to commercial fishing vessels to address potential supply problems.
The DA-BFAR, however, said “small and medium commercial fishing vessels may be allowed to operate within 10.1 to 15 kilometers from the shoreline in the municipal waters provided that the local government unit enacts a municipal ordinance allowing their operation” as stated under Republic Act 10654.
CNN Philippines is trying to reach CSAP for comments.
