The Department of Agriculture (DA) has clarified that a plan to allow up to 250,000 metric tons of imported frozen fish will only take effect during the country’s closed fishing season, which typically runs from November to January depending on the region. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that this condition is vital to prevent imported stock from driving down prices for local fishers while ensuring market stability during off-peak harvesting periods and potential supply shocks from El Niño.