THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved the importation of an additional 8,280 metric tons (MT) of frozen small pelagic fish to address the domestic supply shortage caused by recent typhoons and maintain stable retail prices.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. adjusted the previous certificate of necessity to import for 30,000 MT of small pelagic fish to accommodate the additional imports and bolster domestic stocks during the nationwide closed fishing season.
The closed fishing season, which began this month, aims to allow fish stocks to replenish. Some areas will lift the ban by mid-March next year.
The DA’s decision to allow additional imports was made after a meeting of the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council, the highest policy-making body for the country’s fisheries industry.
The additional imports must arrive in the Philippines before February next year, when some closed fishing seasons are scheduled to be lifted. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will issue sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the additional imports until December 16.
The DA’s move reflects its commitment to ensuring food security and stabilizing prices amidst the challenges posed by recent typhoons and the closed fishing season. The additional imports are expected to help mitigate supply shortages and prevent price spikes in the market.
