Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved the importation of 35,000 metric tons of fish for wet markets in the last quarter of 2023.
Based on a memorandum circular dated Aug. 15, the DA issued guidelines for the importation of “frozen round scad, bigeye scad, mackerel, bonito, and moonfish” for the period of Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.It said the bulk or 80% of the maximum importable volume would come from qualified importers in the commercial fishing sector. The remaining 20% volume, meanwhile, will be allocated to fisheries associations and cooperatives.The DA noted that only those who managed to register with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority within seven days after the issuance of the circular would be allowed to participate in the importation.The agency said the issuance of import clearances would be in two waves–the first tranche will be from Oct. 1 to 30, covering half of the importable volume; while the second will start from Nov. 6 to 30 for the remaining volume.The BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) shall encourage the importers to immediately trade the imported fish under CNI 35,000 MT 2023 to ensure that there is no overlapping with the local catch by the end of the closed fishing season,” the circular stated.The government implements a periodic closure of some fishing grounds in the country to allow the reproduction of fish species.According to the DA, the closed fishing season is being implemented annually in the following areas:— Visayan Sea (from November 15 to February 15 the following year)— Northeast of Palawan (from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 the following year)
