The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is projecting stable fish supply in the coming months following the department’s implementation of necessary regulations to address overfishing and ensure the protection of the country’s fish stocks.

“Maganda iyong projection natin, dahil ngayon March hanggang June ito ay open fishing season. Tinaon talaga ni Secretary Tui Laurel, iyong paglabas noong Memorandum Order No. 14 dito sa open fishing season para hindi maapektuhan iyong supply noong local,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in a news forum in Quezon City on Saturday.

“Iyong ipinagbawal sa MO 14 iyong Round scad o galunggong iyong bonito o tulingan at saka iyong mackerel o alumahan. Pero, may exemption doon. Exempted iyong mackerel doon sa pagbabawal, basta iyong darating o iyong i-import nila ay papabase doon sa sales na naganap noong last year,” he pointed out.

It was decided to have 10-percent additional volume to ensure supply flexibility for fish intended for cannery or for mackerel processing, De Mesa said.

The agriculture official also said the stable fish supply in the past months was the result of good fish catch after allowing some period of stock replenishment.

“Siguro epekto na rin noong maganda iyong huli natin dahil iyong…mas importante kasi na nakakapahinga iyong dagat eh,” De Mesa explained as he commended the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for its policies protecting fish stocks. Kasi iyong isang isda nangingitlog iyan ng marami eh, kahit 10 to 15 percent lang o 1 to 5 percent lang iyong mabuhay doon sa mga itlog na iyon, malaking bagay kasi milyon iyong iniitlog nila eh, so malaking bagay iyon para maka-recover iyong ating fishery,” he noted.

Among the major fish sources in the Philippines include the country’s municipal waters, Sulu and Celebes Seas, and Visayan Sea, the DA official said,. PND