MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) approved a Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) for 60,000 metric tons (MT) of fish in the fourth quarter of the year.
Due to the closed fishing season in several coastal areas of the country, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recommended this in coordination with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority; and in consultation with the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council and fishing industry stakeholders.
“This is a balancing act to enhance and sustain the development of our fisheries sector as well as provide our fellow citizens affordable fish on their table,” according to Agriculture secretary William Dar on Friday.
The official said the policy decision eases the pressure on food inflation.
“This benefits mostly our poor countrymen whose purchasing power has been reduced due to the economic slowdown and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,” he explained.
The approved CNI volume of 60,000 MT includes small pelagic fishes like round scad or galunggong, mackerel, and bonito that will be sold in public markets for the benefit of consumers, particularly in Metro Manila and fish-deficient areas in the country.
Marine fish catch has been declining through the years, DA cited a research finding. “Hence, to arrest the trend, the DA-BFAR has been implementing ‘closed fishing season’ in the country’s major fishing grounds to allow regeneration of small pelagic fishes and other species,” the agency stated.
The closed fishing season is imposed every year – in Davao Gulf from June 1 to Aug. 31; the Visayan Sea from Nov. 15 to Feb. 15; the Sulu Sea from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28; and Northeast Palawan from November to January.
The CNI is valid for the last quarter of the year, from Sept. 2 to December 2021, and it is slightly less than the BFAR-projected supply deficit of 65,000 MT.(PNA)
