The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is set to import 35,000 metric tons (MT) of frozen fish for wet markets amidst the scheduled closed fishing season.
Based on Memorandum No. 36 issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA), BFAR will import 35 MT of frozen round scad, bigeye scad, mackerel, bonito, and moonfish.
Of this number, 8,000 MT or 80 percent of the maximum importable volume (MIV) shall be allocated to qualified and registered importers in the commercial fishing sector.
"For the fisheries associations/cooperatives, the 56 MT or 20% of the Maximum Importable Volume shall be allocated based on their percentage arrival from the immediately preceding importation period," it added, noting that only associations affected by the closed fishing season are qualified for the importation.
The issuance of SPS Import Clearances (SPSICs) will be given to qualified importers in two separate tranches.
According to DA, the first tranche will be distributed from October 1 to 30, while the second tranche will be from November 6 to 30.
"The importer must have a cold storage facility or cold storage warehouse lease agreement before the issuance of SPSIC," it noted.
The SPSICs is valid for 45 days upon issuance, and these will expire after January 15, 2024.
"The fish to be imported under CNI 35,000 MT 2023 shall be reported to and consolidated by BFAR," DA said.
The agriculture department said all imported fish must arrive within the SPCICs' validity period.
