Fish imports are discouraged since there is a sufficient domestic supply of fish, which could cause local prices to decrease.
Tugon Kabuhayan, an advocacy group, said the country has enough fish despite Tropical Storm Paeng as it stressed that any intention to import is unnecessary and would be detrimental to local producers.
The group said there is no need to import frozen fish to increase domestic supply after Paeng’s onslaught.
“We want the government to know that our industry remains resilient regardless of the strong winds, rain, and flooding. Despite Typhoon Paeng affecting many fish producers, it did not hinder our production,” director of Taal Lake Aquaculture Alliance Inc. Mariano Balazon said.
“We can still supply the whole country without importing fish. Don’t use this calamity as a reason to justify importation. Support our local producers first before turning to other countries for fish,” Business Mirror quoted Balazon.
Balazon said local fishermen and aquaculture producers can supply the country’s fish requirements despite the damage caused by Paeng to some fish farms worth ₱22 million.
“Approximately 200 tons of fish escaped the cages. In Calauan, Laguna, the supply of fingerlings was washed out,” he said.
“We are confident that in three months we will be able to re-stock again and rest assured that this will not affect the supply of tilapia,” he continued.
Jon Juico, president of the Philippine Tilapia Association, said Pampanga fish farms were unscathed from Paeng with local harvests going non-stop.
“We are always prepared here in Minalin since we don’t use nets. We use dikes, and we are affected more by dams releasing water, not by typhoons,” Juico said.
Juico warned that any plans for fish importation could drive down local prices.
“Last year the prices for bangus and tilapia plummeted because of importation,” he said.
“Our local producers were forced to sell their fish for only P60 to P70, while the cost of production per fish was at ₱90. It devastated the industry when the market was inundated by imports,” he added.
Norbert Chingcuanco, co convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan emphasized that fish that escapes aquaculture cages will be caught by municipal fishermen, hence, ensuring a continuous supply of animal protein in the market.
“When fish from aquaculture cages escape, the municipal fishermen catch those fish. It doesn’t disappear. Our fishing industry is robust and we can always fulfill the demand. There is no need to import,” Chingcuanco said.
Tags: #NoFishImport, #TugonKabuhayan