In a position paper, the Confederation of Philippine Exporters (PhilExport) Cebu called on the BFAR to promptly address the deficiencies identified by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), saying this is crucial to regaining access to the U.S. market, safeguarding thousands of livelihoods, enhancing fisheries sustainability, and maintaining the Philippines' competitiveness in the global seafood trade.
PhilExport Cebu said BFAR must move swiftly to implement NOAA's recommended corrective measures, stressing that affected countries are allowed to reapply after addressing identified deficiencies. It noted that rival seafood-exporting nations have already secured favorable comparability findings by promptly complying with the requirements.
“The current situation should be treated as a matter of national economic urgency,” the group said.
Projected losses
PhilExport Cebu said the country could not afford the ban that took effect on June 11 since the Blue Swimming Crab industry accounted for about 90 percent of total exports.
It contributed an estimated $50 million to $60 million annually in export revenues . The industry also supported thousands of jobs across fishing, processing, logistics, transport, cold storage, packaging, and export operations, the group said.
According to PhilExport Cebu, the ban could result in millions of dollars in lost export earnings and foreign exchange inflows, trigger workforce reductions in seafood processing plants, depress incomes among municipal fishers and coastal communities, disrupt the seafood supply chain, erode the country's share of the U.S. market, and tarnish the reputation of Philippine seafood products in the global market.
“The impact extends beyond exporters and directly affects vulnerable coastal communities with limited alternative livelihood opportunities,” PhilExport Cebu said.
U.S. standards
The NOAA prohibited the entry of Philippine Blue Swimming Crab products into the U.S. market effective June 11 after the Philippines failed to provide evidence to prove that its local fisheries follow marine mammal protections that match the US standards.
Based NOAA's final report, the Philippines had not sufficiently demonstrated the following:
The lack of sufficient documentation prevented NOAA from being able to determine if the levels of marine mammal bycatch in these fisheries remain within acceptable limits.
Recommendations
The group pointed out that the NOAA findings must not be taken as a regulatory requirement for market access but rather an opportunity to strengthen fisheries governance, sustainability, transparency, and international competitiveness.
PhilExport Cebu outlined six recommendations aimed at addressing NOAA’s findings and helping restore the Philippines’ access to the U.S. market:
• Establish a National Marine Mammal Bycatch Monitoring Program. Develop a comprehensive monitoring system for Blue Swimming Crab fisheries nationwide, including observer mechanisms, mandatory reporting by fishers, incident documentation protocols, data verification processes, and a centralized reporting database.
• Implement mandatory reporting requirements. Enact regulations requiring fishers, vessel operators, traders, and processors to promptly report all marine mammal mortalities, injuries, or interactions associated with commercial fishing activities.
• Strengthen documentation and scientific data collection. Establish standardized systems capable of generating the verifiable data and evidence required by NOAA, while conducting scientific assessments to determine baseline levels of marine mammal interactions within the fishery.
• Develop bycatch mitigation measures. Work with marine experts, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders to implement strategies aimed at reducing bycatch, including modified fishing gear, seasonal management measures, area-specific restrictions, and enhanced training for fishers.
• Create a National Crab Export Compliance Task Force. Form a multi-sectoral body composed of representatives from BFAR, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PHILEXPORT, and other key stakeholders to oversee reforms, monitor compliance, and coordinate with U.S. authorities.
• Pursue immediate reapplication. Fast-track the implementation of corrective measures and compile the necessary documentary evidence to enable the Philippines to reapply for NOAA’s comparability finding at the earliest opportunity. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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