MANILA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Agriculture on Tuesday said it has approved the additional importation of 8,280 metric tons (MT) of frozen small pelagic fish to address the impact on the domestic supply of recent typhoons.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the country needs to import 30,000 metric tons of fish, such as round scad and mackerel, to ensure the supply in the market.
"The initial fish import volume is intended to supplement supply in wet markets during the closed-fishing season in major fish spawning areas in the country," Laurel said.
The closed-fishing season starts in November and extends through the middle of March, the department said. ■
