25,000 TM IMPORTED FISH WILL HURT LOCAL FISHERMEN’S

Imported fish in the country for the last quarter of the year (Photo courtesy of Philippine Star)

The country will import 25,000 metric tons of fish in the last quarter of the year, according to the Department of Agriculture, this is to ensure an adequate supply of fish before the implementation of the closed fishing season.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that the issuance of the order was brought forward so as not to delay the arrival of imported fish in the country.

BFAR Spokesperson Nazaro Briguera stated, "when it's closed fishing season, municipal fishermen are the first to go fishing. The only ones prohibited from fishing during the closed fishing season are our commercial fishing vessel operators. Our agriculture sector also gave an assurance that there will be enough funds to fill whatever the gap is."

Meanwhile, the group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) is against the approval of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in importing 25,000 metric tons of fish during the closed fishing season in the last quarter of the year.

The against groups states that that it will only hurt the local industry because only imported fish will be patronized and availed. It will turn out to be cheaper than the local fishermen's products. It is also said that there is no basis for the importation of fish but the speculation that there will be a problem with the supply when the closed fishing season arrives.

Fishermen in Sorsogon and Ilocos Norte are also oppose, according to fish vendors, when the open fishing season like today now, the price of fish is low, but when it is closed fishing season, the price almost doubles.

Source: Philippine Star 

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