STOP HOUNDING FISH VENDORS, GOV’T URGED

Instead of going after market vendors forced to sell imported fish, the government should stop policies allowing the entry of agricultural commodities from abroad, according to a fishers’ group.

“If we do away with import-liberalization policies, then there would be no imported fish to be sold in wet markets to begin with,” Ronnel Arambulo, national spokesperson of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), said in a statement.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier promulgated an order covering the importation of 25,000 metric tons of frozen fish amid the closed fishing season until January next year.

“Moreover, if only the government heeds the call of the fishing sector for significant support, our local fishery products would be more affordable and accessible in our local market,” he added.

Crackdown

Pamalakaya was reacting to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ pronouncement it would confiscate imported pampano and pink salmon in local markets beginning Dec. 4.

The agency had launched a campaign to crack down on the sale of illegally sourced imported fish in retail markets.

“If imported fish products are indeed prohibited in wet markets, then why continue to import fish in the first place?” asked Arambulo.

Pamalakaya said the prevalence of imported pampano, pink salmon and round scad (galunggong) in wet markets poses threats not only to the local industry but also to the health of consumers.