The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport) Negros Chapter on Friday, June 12, said the decision by U.S. authorities to suspend the importation of Philippine crabmeat products threatens the livelihood of thousands of workers and fishing communities across the country, including those in Negros Occidental.
PhilExport Negros Chapter, in a statement, called for immediate engagement between Philippine and U.S. authorities to clarify and resolve the issues that led to the suspension.
Effective June 11, the United States National Marine Fisheries Service, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, closed the U.S. market to Philippine blue swimming crab products due to the country’s failure to demonstrate compliance with marine mammal conservation and fisheries monitoring requirements.
PhilExport Negros Chapter urged the national government, concerned regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders to work collaboratively and expeditiously to address the concerns raised by U.S. authorities and restore confidence in Philippine seafood exports.
“The United States has long been the primary market for Philippine crabmeat exports. The suspension poses significant challenges to exporters, processors, fisherfolk, and the many ancillary industries that depend on this vital sector,” it said.
PhilExport Negros Chapter called for enhanced support for affected exporters, processors, and fishing communities, as well as strengthened fisheries monitoring, sustainability measures, and regulatory compliance mechanisms.
The organization also urged the development of alternative export markets to reduce dependence on a single destination and improve industry resilience.
“Negros Occidental has long demonstrated the strength and adaptability of its people in the face of economic challenges. Just as the province continues to navigate difficulties confronting the sugar industry, we remain confident that through cooperation, innovation, and decisive action, the crabmeat export sector can overcome this setback and emerge stronger,” the PhilExport Negros Chapter said.
It also said it stands ready to work with government agencies, industry partners, and stakeholders to protect jobs, preserve export opportunities, and ensure the continued growth of Philippine exports.
Local fishermen are beginning to feel the effects of the ban on the export of Philippine blue crabs to the United States, Negros Occidental Board Member Hope Marie Depasucat said Friday.
They now have to look for their own domestic retail markets, unlike before when their catch was automatically bought by crabmeat processing plants for export, Depasucat said.
Crabs are now selling at lower prices, she added.
She reiterated that 90 percent of Philippine blue crab exports were previously sold to the U.S. market, with only 10 percent sold to other countries.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he has asked the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to come up with protocols to help the Philippines regain its U.S. market for blue crabs.
“When we’re ready, together with BFAR, we will call on the stakeholders to ask them if they think the protocols will help the industry,” Lacson said.
What is unfortunate is that the alleged marine mammal conservation violation did not happen in Negros but in Malampaya. However, because it represents the Philippines, the entire country has been affected, he said.
He added that they will work on policies to strengthen the country’s position to get back into the U.S. market, but in the meantime, they will have to look at other markets.*
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