Mackerel import permits suspended

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it suspended the issuance of permits to import certain mackerel and torpedo scad species, following reports permits have been misused in ways that could destabilize the fish market.

Memorandum Order No. 38 orders an immediate halt to the issue of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for horse mackerel, including Atlantic and Japanese jack mackerel; Indian mackerel; wahoo; and both torpedo and hardtail scad.

The DA cited reports of misdeclared or diverted shipments of fishery products, which it said undermines efforts to stabilize supply and prices while disrupting legitimate trade channels.

Known as alumahan (mackerel) and galunggong (scad), these fish varieties are household staples for many families due to their affordability, the DA noted.

The DA clarified that the order is not an import ban “but a temporary measure to ensure full compliance with regulations and alignment with national interest.”

“The order will be lifted based on the result of a thorough investigation and review of current importation protocols, with the goal of ensuring integrity and accountability across the fish supply chain,” it said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza