Moratorium on imported fish ban issued
Escoto added that BFAR would momentarily revisit the regulations and policies governing the importation of fish and other fishery or aquatic products without disregarding the policy formulation process.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources announced on Friday a moratorium on its planned crackdown on vendors of imported fish in local markets effective immediately, which means selling imported pampano and pink salmon is still allowed in wet markets, groceries and online stores.
BFAR officer-in-charge Demosthenes Escoto declared the moratorium on market crackdowns over the imported pink salmon, pompano and other frozen fish products after considering recommendations from fisheries stakeholders and lawmakers. Escoto added that BFAR would momentarily revisit the regulations and policies governing the importation of fish and other fishery or aquatic products without disregarding the policy formulation process as mandated by the Philippine Fisheries Code, particularly the Fisheries Administrative Order 195 series of 1999. According to BFAR, FAO 195 authorizes importing these products for canning, processing, and trade to institutional buyers.
“In the interest of the Filipino consumers and fisheries stakeholders, the Bureau remains committed in carrying out its mandate to ensure food security and food sufficiency, especially that the Christmas season is fast approaching, while strengthening the implementation of fishery laws and other necessary regulations,” Escoto said.
For its part, the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council said it firmly supports the strong implementation of regulatory policies about importing fresh/chilled/frozen fish and fishery/ aquatic products such as the FAO 195. NFARMC also urged the government through the DA-BFAR to continue its measures curbing illegal acts of unauthorized and undocumented imported frozen fish proliferating in wet markets which hurt the local fish industry.