Philippines Defers Fish Imports to October Amid Stable Domestic Supply

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking to allow the entry of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of imported fish by October or November, deferring the move initially set in August, due to stable domestic supply. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said drier conditions due to El Niño have extended the fishing season and provided ample supply for the country. “The importation will be triggered during the closed fishing season, probably by October or November,” he told reporters yesterday. “As of the moment, the price of seafood remains stable.” A Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) issued last March approved the importation of 250,000 MT of fish by this August to provide ample stocks and ensure that prices remain stable throughout the closed fishing season. Department Circular No. 12 also set guidelines on the allocation of imported fish, with 80 percent given to the commercial sector and 20 percent to associations and cooperatives. The DA added that 10,000 MT of the total imported volumes would be allocated for government use under the agency’s Kadiwa program. Under the CNI, allowed seafood species include crab, lobsters, prawn, shrimp, clams, mussels, octopus, oyster, scallops, sea urchin and squid. Also included are Alaskan pollock, anchovies, amberjack, barramundi, bigeye, capelin, cobia, cod, channel rockfish, croaker, dolphin fish, eel, emperor, flounder, fusilier, goldbanded, gourami, grouper, gunard, haddock and hairtail. Shipments of hake, halibut, hoki, largesnout goby, mackerel, marlin, moonfish, mullet, nile perch, oil fish, orange roughy, plaice, pomfret, pony fish, rabbifish, red bream/alfonsino, sable fish and snapper are also allowed. Importers may also bring in salmon, sardines, scad, sea bass, sea bream, sillago, smelt, sweetlips, swordfish, threadfin bream, toothfish, trevally, trout, tuna, turbot, whiting and yellowfin sole. The government imposes a fishing ban from November to February of the following year to replenish the local fish population during its peak spawning period. Fish supply during this period is sourced from imports. Information Source: Philstar Business