“Smugglers selling online are one step ahead of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).” Senator Imee Marcos said this on Friday, Nov. 25 as she warned BFAR would have limited success in its campaign against fish smuggling if it overlooks online sellers. The BFAR said it would start confiscating unauthoriTed fish imports on Dec. 4 while a seasonal commercial fishing ban remains in force until February next year. Marcos, however, noted that BFAR, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, has issued a warning only to wet markets and supermarkets. “In an increasingly digital world, wet markets and supermarkets are not the only venues for selling smuggled fish and seafoodF” Marcos said.

Casayuran, M. B. (2022, November 26). Fish smugglers beating BFAR through online sales - Sen. Imee. Manila Bulletin, p. 6.