Inbound fish on PH vessels ‘not imported’

The Department of Agriculture (DA) clarified that its recent order to suspend the importation of frozen fish excludes Philippine vessels that caught their haul outside the country.The DA issued Memorandum Order (MO) No. 18 clarifying the guidelines governing a previous directive which temporarily halted the entry of frozen round scad (galunggong), bonito (tulingan) and mackerel (alumahan) from outside the country.

The agency said those fish caught by Philippine-registered fishing vessels with a valid distant water fishing permit are not considered “imported.”

Therefore, these are “subject to all import duties and taxes when the same is landed in duly designated fish landings and fish ports in the Philippines,” the memo dated April 26 said.

“Considering that fish caught by Philippine-flagged fishing vessel are not considered imported, this clarificatory guidelines [are] hereby issued,” it added.

Earlier this month, the DA promulgated MO No. 14 putting on hold the importation of these fishery products intended solely for canning and processing and for institutional buyers catering to the requirements of hotels and restaurants.

The issuance was done in response to several reports received by the agency that commodities were being diverted to wet markets to the detriment of local fisherfolk.

“The top commodities that are identified as prone to diversion [to local wet markets] are round scad, bonito and mackerel,” the order said.The suspension does not cover sourcing imported mackerel for canning purposes, as long as the volume is based on the sales of the canned product from the previous year plus an additional 10 percent for buffer.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) spokesperson Nazario Briguera said at that time the diversion of these fish varieties to wet markets is an illegal act that “could disrupt the supply and demand” and “would have a repercussion on the local fishery industry.”

Institutional buyers are allowed to source fish and fishery/aquatic products from abroad, but for canning and processing purposes only and when certified as necessary by the agriculture secretary to achieve food security. —Jordeene B. Lagare INQ