DA allows importation of frozen fish from October to December 2023

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has allowed the importation of several kinds of frozen fish for wet markets from October to December 2023.

The DA issued on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, Memorandum Circular 36, authorizing the importation of 35,000 metric tons of frozen round scad, locally known as galunggong, bigeye scad, mackerel, bonito and moon fish for wet markets from October 1 to December 31.

Under the order, only importers who were able to register with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) within seven working days from the issuance of the order will be qualified to participate in the importation.

It said 80 percent of the maximum importable volume will be allotted to registered importers from commercial fishing sectors, while the remaining 20 percent will go to fisheries associations and cooperatives.

The DA will issue the first tranche of import clearance from October 1 to 30 to cover the 50 percent of the maximum importable volume while the second tranche of clearance will be issued November 6 to 30.

The import clearances will be valid for 45 days upon the issuance and are deemed expired after January 15, 2024.

The order noted that the importer must be equipped with a cold storage facility, or at least has a cold storage warehouse lease agreement before they can be issued with a sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance.

“This order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in force unless revoked in writing,” the order stated.

The government is implementing a three-month closed fishing season each year in a bid to protect and conserve various fish species on traditional grounds.

Closed fishing is implemented in the Northeast Palawan Sea from November 1 to January 31, Visayan Sea from November 15 to February 15, and the Zamboanga Peninsula, which includes the East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay, from December 1 to March 1. (SunStar Philippines)