PH TIGHTENS GUARD VS SMUGGLED FISH TO PROTECT LOCAL FISHERFOLK

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is clamping down on the selling of smuggled fish in wet markets to protect the livelihood of local fisherfolk.

The BFAR announced it was intensifying its information, education and communication (IEC) dubbed “Imported na Isda sa Merkado, Pwede Kapag AWTORISADO!.” It will also visit fish vendors in 21 wet markets across Metro Manila.

“As the government allows fish importation anew in order to fill in the supply gap while our conservation measures are in place and keep the prices of our fish commodities in the retail markets stable, the DA BFAR conducts this IEC campaign that will help safeguard the livelihood of our local fishers and prevent competition between our local and imported fish products,” said BFAR officer-in-charge Demosthenes Escoto.

The agency intends to intensify its market monitoring, inspection and confiscation of illegally diverted imported fish products. It also suspended the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the importation of round scad (galunggong), mackerel (alumahan), bonito (tulingan) and moonfish (bilong-bilong), pompano and tuna by-products.