Fisheries chief gets to OK import permits
Importers of small pelagic fish like mackerel and sardines destined for wet markets will have to seek clearances from the chief of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) starting in the fourth quarter of this year.
Under the Department of Agriculture’s Special Order No. 1272 dated Aug. 29, BFAR officer-in-charge Isidro Velayo Jr. was designated as the approving authority for the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) needed for importation.
In previous years, the Agriculture Secretary or a duly authorized representative may issue the SPSIC, subject to compliance with requirements.
Such clearance is required for the importation of 30,000 metric tons of frozen small pelagic fish during the “closed fishing season’ that runs Oct. 31 to Dec. 31 this year.
This is “to ensure the timely issuance of the online SPSIC,” the DA directive said.
Historically, the DA authorizes the importation of frozen small pelagic fish to bridge the projected gap between local supply and demand as the government implements a three-month fishing ban in major fishing grounds in the last quarter of the year.
Implementation of the annual closed fishing season is part of efforts to protect and conserve various fish species and address overfishing and climate change concerns.
Last April, the DA issued Memorandum Order No. 17 outlining the guidelines for importing 25,000 MT of frozen small pelagic fish for wet markets ahead of this year’s closed season.
Under MO 17, four-fifths of the maximum importable volume or 20,000 MT will be awarded to commercial importers while the remaining 20 percent or 5,000 MT will be granted to fishing associations and cooperatives.
This importation round is open to importers who do not have pending food safety cases, were able to submit Bureau of Customs accreditation or clearance, participated in the last three importation activities and have efficiently used their import allocations.
