MOU SIGNING. Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director Eduardo Gongona (3rd from left) leads key officials in the virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding with Korea on food safety of fish and fish products on Monday (Dec. 20, 2021). Korea was represented by its Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Director-General, Kim Yoo Mi. (Photo courtesy of DA-BFAR)
MANILA – The Philippines and South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday to formalize the arrangement that will ensure the food safety of fish and fishery product exports.
The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) said the MOU will boost the relationships between the two countries as they plan to further improve technological innovations.
“[This is] in terms of Fish Biotechnology, establishment of Food Safety laboratories, and support for the conservation and management of fisheries projects in Guimaras,” DA Undersecretary for Agro-Industrialization and Fisheries Cheryl Nativadad-Caballero said in an interview with Philippine News Agency.
“With these proposed strategic areas for partnership, the Philippines would be able to improve the reliability of its exports for octopus, eels, and other high value species anchored on traceability and catch documentation systems,” she added.
DA-BFAR said the new partnership will likewise strengthen international cooperation and the development of a platform and framework for Korean and Filipino experts to engage in technical consultation and discussions on issues concerning seafood trade, trading sectors, technology transfer, and innovation.
The cooperation also seeks to strengthen capture fisheries and aquaculture through technology adoption and development, including postharvest, product value-adding, trade, and coastal and marine fishery management; facilitate the exchange of experiences, information, technologies, and expertise; and facilitate the promotion of fisheries trade and business investments between Korea and the Philippines.
Both parties are looking forward to the next Joint Fisheries Committee meeting, with the Philippines expressing intent to host the mid-2022 event in Manila.
The first Philippines-Korea Memorandum MOU on Fisheries Cooperation was signed by DA Secretary William Dar and Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Minister Seong-hyuk Moon in November 2019 on the occasion of the Republic of Korea - Association of Southeast Asian Nations Commemorative Summit held in Busan. (PNA)
