Importation and Exportation of Fishery Products.
Section 61
SEC. 61. Importation and Exportation of Fishery Products. - Export of fishery products shall be regulated whenever such exportation affects domestic food security and production: Provided, That exportation of live fish shall be prohibited except those which are hatched or propagated in accredited hatcheries and ponds; To protect and maintain the local biodiversity or ensure the sufficiency of domestic supply, spawners, breeders, eggs and fry of bangus, prawn and other endemic species, as may be determined by the Department, shall not be exported or caused to be exported by any person; Fishery products may be imported only when the importation has been certified as necessary by the Department, in consultation with the FARMC, and all the requirements of this Code, as well as all existing rules and regulations have been complied with: Provided, That fish imports for canning/processing purposes only may be allowed without the necessary certification, but within the provisions of Section 61 (d) of this Code; and No person shall import and/or export fishery products of whatever size, stage or form for any purpose without securing a permit from the Department. The Department in consultation with the FARMC shall promulgate rules and regulations on importation and exportation of fish and fishery/aquatic resources with the Government's export/import simplification procedures.