SENATE PROBE PUSHED: Catch unscrupulous importers, BFAR told 

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The National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC) said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) should run after unscrupulous importers instead of small fish vendors on the illegal sale of imported salmon and pompano in wet markets.

David Villaluz, NFARMC spokesperson, in a statement said the group supports the strong implementation of regulatory policies under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 195 series of 1999 which prohibit the entry of imported fish into domestic wet markets if not covered by a certificate of necessity to import (CNI).

Both pompano and salmon are not covered by any CNI and imported supply of such may only be sold to industrial users such as hotels and restaurants.

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NFARMC said BFAR must continue curbing illegal acts of unauthorized and undocumented imported frozen fish proliferating in wet markets which hurt the local fish industry but it should focus on importers who violate the policies and not the small fish vendors.

“The implementation of the order is not discriminatory to anyone. In fact, it protects one of the most vulnerable sectors in the country, the marginalized fisherfolk, and the whole industry from competition against imported fish in wet markets,” Villaluz said.

Villaluz said NFARMC also supports BFAR’s initiative to revisit the FAO 195 to make it more responsive to the needs of the time but mentioned that it should undergo a process of consultation with the Council as mandated by the law.

The implementation of FAO 195 drew flak from consumers and legislators for being “anti-poor” prompting BFAR to impose a moratorium on confiscation operations in wet markets.

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Tolentino yesterday called for a Senate investigation despite the suspension, saying “there are pressing questions that BFAR needs to answer” especially on the timing of the strict enforcement of FAO 195 when a fishing ban on certain types of fish is imposed that coincided with the holiday season.

Tolentino told dzbb said the matter has been referred to the committee on agriculture headed by Sen. Cynthia Villar.

“ I hope (Villar) starts with the hearing so we can prevent similar incidents from happening. Maybe they will come out with a new variation involving different fishes…The timing (of the strict implementation of FAO-195) should be scrutinized. If there is a new policy that should be laid down, then that should be discussed),” Tolentino said.

He added: “Three things happened to us. First, selling of pink salmon and pompano was prohibited in wet markets. Second, closed season from November 1 to January 1 which means there is fishing ban in Zamboanga and in some parts of the Visayas. Third, there is an importation of 25,000 metric tons of galunggong (blue mackerel scad). All of these happened at the same time.” – Jed Macapagal  and Raymond Africa

 

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