Manila: The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Thursday the import of 30,000 metric tons (MT) of fish would help maintain a stable supply in local markets during the annual closed fishing season set every Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. In a phone interview, BFAR spokesperson Nazario Briguera said the supplementary importation would fill the supply gap and ensure stable prices in local markets amid the expected limited catch during the period. 'Para magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang ating mga mamimili na makapamili ng ayon sa kanilang budget, makapamili ng isda na hindi mabigat sa kanilang bulsa, kailangan may sapat na supply. So, may mga alternatibong supply para sa ating mga mamimili (For consumers to have the opportunity to buy within their budget, to enable them to buy fish without much burden on their pockets, there must be an adequate supply. So, we have alternative supply for our buyers),' he said. 'Ang sinisiguro natin, mapanatili ang affordable na presyo ng ating mga isda sa mga palengke sa panah on ng closed fishing season (What we are ensuring is to maintain the affordability of the prices of our fish during the closed fishing season).' Briguera said the imported fish from Vietnam and China would come in batches, starting at the end of October or the first week of November, just in time for the closed fishing season. The BFAR is set to impose the closed fishing season in North Eastern Palawan, the country's major source of galunggong or mackerel scad, from Nov. 1, 2024 to Jan. 31, 2025. This will be followed by the closed fishing in the Visayan Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula from Nov. 15, 2024 to Feb. 15, 2025 for small pelagic fish, such as sardines. The annual closed fishing season allows fish stocks to replenish and facilitates the reproduction and growth of marine resources. Source: Philippines News agency