Fisheries Administrative Order No. 259 S. 2018 establishing Rules and Regulations on the Importation of Frozen Fish and Fishery/Aquatic Products for Wet Markets During Closed and Off-Fishing Seasons or During the Occurrence of Calamities.

This Fisheries Administrative Order, consisting of 15 sections, establishes Rules and Regulations on the Importation of Frozen Fish and Fish/Aquatic Products for Wet Markets During Closed, Off-Fishing Seasons or During the Occurrence of Calamities. To facilitate monitoring of imported fish products, all imported fish destined for the wet markets shall be traded at the government fish ports of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA); prior to trading, PFDA shall require from the importer specific sanitary certificates (including MRL and packaging and labelling requirements). All imported fish products destined for wet markets, after having been traded in the government fish ports of the PFDA or in the markets or fish trading areas designated by the PFDA shall be covered by a Transport Clearance issued by the PFDA. The DA Secretary, upon the recommendation of the BFAR Director in coordination with the PFDA shall issue a monthly importable fish volume for the duration of the closed, off-fishing seasons or during the occurrence of calamities. All importers of frozen fish and fish/aquatic products shall register with the PFDA and comply with specific requirements.