The FIP joined BFAR’s Central Public Consultation on proposed amendments to FAO 268, Series of 2023, on the Catch Certification and Documentation Scheme, held at Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City. BFAR XII Regional Director Eugene Casas gave the welcome address. He stressed the need to align Philippine catch certification with EU and international standards to keep market access. The BFAR Legal Division presented the proposed provisions. These include regular and simplified catch certificates, verified catch weights, transshipment declarations, and electronic certification through TRACES-NT for EU exports. The prescribed handline logsheet is included among the annexes. A Regulatory Impact Assessment survey was completed during the session. Industry participants also gave recommendations, including TRACES-NT training, clear processing timelines, simpler procedures for smaller vessels, and plain-language guidance for vessel masters. The consultation was briefly suspended because of a magnitude 5.1 earthquake and resumed once the venue was declared safe.
