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Pursuant to the provisions of Fisheries Administrative Order No. 230, Series of 2009 entitled “Allowing the importation and culture of the broodstock and post-larvae of specific pathogen free / specific pathogen resistant  black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and the culture of offspring thereof” the following rules and regulations are hereby issued:

SECTION 1. Shrimp Broodstock and/or Postlarvae Importation – The following measures shall be observed in the importation of  P. monodon broodstock and/or postlarvae:

a. Pre-border Biosecurity Measures

1) Prior to the issuance of special import permit to accredited shrimp hatchery for importation of SPF/SPR P. monodon broodstock and/or post larvae, Proponent shall submit a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE duly signed by the National BFAR Director. The issuance of the Certificate shall be based on the results of the inspection of hatchery facilities that shall be authorized to breed SPF/SPR P. monodon. On site inspection within the country shall be undertaken by Regional P. monodon Panel as stipulated from Section 2 of these guidelines. The Regional Panel shall be entrusted to conduct the site inspection of applicant’s shrimp hatchery facility in accordance to and in compliance with minimum bio-security standards for controlled shrimp hatchery facility as stated from Section 1 –F of these guidelines. Inspection report of the Regional Panel shall be submitted to their respective Regional Directors for recommendation and transmittal to BFAR Central Office for review and approval by the National Director. Further, to facilitate individual review of shrimp hatchery accreditation application based on the submitted documents of on-site facility inspection done by their respective BFAR Regional Offices,an SPF/SPR P. monodon Import Risk Assessment Panel is hereby created headed by the National BFAR Assistant Director for Technical Services with membership consisted of the following BFAR representation:

a. Chief, Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Division or representative
b. Coordinator, National Shrimp Health Action Program
c. Chief, Fisheries Quarantine  and Wild Life Regulation Section of representative
d. Focal Person, OIE Aquatic Animal Commission

The IRA Panel has the option to conduct on-site investigation based on the documents submitted by Regional Panel as endorsed by the Regional Director.

2) The broodstock and/or postlarvae to be imported must only come from SPF/SPR P. monodon broodstock facilities originating from the United States of America (USA) and any other country that can show clear and verifiable capacity in producing broodstock and/or postlarvae that are Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and/or Specific Pathogen Resistant (SPR) and must have well documented breeding program of Penaeus monodon.

The importing BFAR accredited hatchery shall provide BFAR with a complete dossier of the country of origin of the SPF/SPR P.monodon broodstock facility for a comprehensive review by the IRA Panel. To check for veracity of information provided, the shrimp broodstock facility of the country of  origin must allow BFAR to inspect the hatchery at the expenses of the interested importing BFAR accredited hatchery.

3) The SPF/SPR P. monodon facility selected by the importer must have a minimum two (2) years disease free status as certified by competent authority from the country of origin. In addition, the facility shall likewise submit its disease history for the period covering its commercial establishment to the present.

4)  The broodstock facility shall submit samples taken from the lot where the intended stock for shipment shall be drawn. Said samples shall be submitted to verified Shrimp Disease Diagnostic Laboratory recognized by the competent authority of the country of
origin.

All samples shall be subjected for diagnosis as to their SPF/SPR status on the following pathogens:

a. Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV)
b. White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)
c. Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV)
d. Yellow Head Virus Disease (YHVD)
e. Hepatopancreatic Parvo-like Virus (HPV)
f. Monodon Baculo Virus (MBV)

5) No import permit shall be issued unless the documents specified in the pre-border biosecurity measures shall have been complied with.

6) The imported broodstock and/or postlarvae shall be allowed entry into the country only at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the broodstock and/or postlarvae shipment should take the most direct route from its origin to the Philippines. No trans-shipment will be allowed. Should there be an interruption in the transport (delayed or cancelled flights), any competent authority within the area shall be notified immediately. Said authority shall issue a certification relating to the interruption and certify that the shipment was not co-mingled with other shipment and that the intended shipment was not exposed or subjected to any risk of contamination. In case of broodstock and/ or postlarvae shipment using chartered or special flights to other Philippine international airports other than NAIA, an advance notice shall be given to BFAR Central Office, to enable designated Fisheries Quarantine Officers and Fish Health Officers to be present at the port of entry.

b.   Border Inspection Measures

1. Upon arrival, the imported SPF/SPR P. monodon broodstock and/or postlarvae shall be presented for documentary inspection at the Fisheries Inspection and Quarantines Service (FIQS) at the NAIA or the Philippine international airport other than NAIA of which advance notice will be given to BFAR Central and/or Regional Offices Fisheries Quarantine Officers and Fish Health Officers. (Please refer to Section g of this FAO)

2. After documentary inspection and verification, the imported SPF/SPR P. monodon broodstock and/or postlarvae shall be transported directly to the BFAR accredited shrimp hatchery facility. The importer, or its designated representative, together with representative from the Fisheries Regulatory and Quarantine Division (FRQD) will accompany transfer to the facility.

3. One percent (1%) but not more than ten (10) pieces of representative broodstock or postlarvae sample will be turned over to BFAR Fish Health Central Laboratory for verification of the laboratory results given prior to shipping and accompanying Health Certificate.

c.   Post-border Biosecurity Measures

Upon arrival at the facility, the broodstock and/or postlarvae shall be confined in designated holding tanks for quarantine and subsequent maturation and breeding purposes.

d.   Testing and Disease Detection

1. At PL1-PL3, samples shall be taken from the larval rearing tanks for testing, as per the latest edition of OIE Diagnostic Manual for Aquatic Animal Disease.

2. All samples shall be subjected for analyses of Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV), White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV), Hepatopancreatic Parvo-like Virus (HPV), Monodon Baculo Virus (MBV) and Yellow Head Virus (YHV) at their respective BFAR Regional Fish Health Laboratories or any BFAR recognized laboratory.

3. Regular monitoring for the six (6) above mentioned OIE reportable diseases of P. monodon will be conducted by their respective BFAR Regional Fish Laboratories, as per the latest edition OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests for Aquatic Animal.

4. In case of conflict on results, verification shall be done solely by BFAR Central Fish Health Laboratory in Quezon City. Results issued by BFAR Central Fish Health Laboratory shall be final.

 
e.   Certifying the broodstock

To keep the integrity and quality of postlarvae used for commercial production in different farming systems, only the original certified SPF/SPR broodstock from BFAR verified and recognized broodstock facilities and stocked at accredited shrimp hatcheries shall be the only source of the shrimp postlarvae. The selling of shrimp eggs and nauplii by accredited hatcheries to other non-accredited shrimp hatcheries is strictly prohibited.

f.   Minimum Biosecurity Standards for Controlled Hatchery Facility

The importer shall comply with the minimum biosecurity standards for broodstock maturation, larval rearing and production of F1 offspring, prior to the issuance of an import permit. The following standards shall be used in evaluation of each application of proponent shrimp hatchery for accreditation.

1.  Water Treatment - The water treatment system should ensure the provision of high quality water. The following protocol is prescribed:

a. Incoming water filtration. Initial filtering through sub-sand well points, sand filters (gravity and pressure) or mesh bag filters into the first reservoir for settling tank. After disinfection, final filtration using fine mesh filter bags or membrane filters.

b. Water disinfection and sedimentation. Initial disinfection is done through chlorination. Then disinfect using UV lights (or ozone) after the final filtration.

c. Water conditioning. Through the use of activated charcoal filters and use of Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA) to chelate remaining heavy metals impurities.

2. Effluent Water Treatment Hatchery and Grow-out – All water discharged from the hatchery should be temporarily stored in a catching pond and treated with hypochlorite solution (>20 ppm active chlorine for not less than 60 minutes) or other effective disinfectant prior to discharge.

3. Physical Isolation – The different production facilities shall be physically isolated from one another, specifically, maturation, spawning and hatching, larval and nursery rearing, indoor and outdoor algal culture and live food production.

4. Aeration – Air flow should be controlled between sections of the facility. Glass wool filters should be installed in the main aeration line servicing all sections.

5. Sanitation and Disinfection

a. Worker sanitation – washing/bathing routines
b. Installation of foot baths and hand washing stations at entry into each separate culture area (all entrance points)
c. Traffic flow control in sections within the facility-one way: entrance to exit areas.
d. Control movement of potential disease carriers near the testing area.
e. Disinfection of equipment and materials in multiple points of use
f. Restrict visitors.

The facility shall be exclusively used for the SPF/SPR P. monodon breeding and its fry production and that no other species should be reared in the facility.

g. Documents to be presented for inspection at the port of entry

The following documents shall be presented for inspection at the port of entry by the importer/broker of SPF/SPR P. monodon broodstock and/or postlarvae to Fisheries Inspection and Quarantine Service (FIQS) and Bureau of Customs (BoC) personnel, of which duplicate copies will be furnished to BFAR Central Office:

1. Certificate of Compliance

2. Two (2) years disease-free status as certified by competent authority at the Federal or State level. Said certificate shall be accompanied by the number of broodstock and/ or postlarvae submitted for examination and identification of organs/tissues where the DNA/RNA were extracted.

3. Disease history of broodstock facility of origin

4. Laboratory results from authorized Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory recognized by the competent authority of the country of origin, should indicate the number of broodstock and/or postlarvae submitted for examination and identification of organs/tissues where the DNA/RNA were extracted.

5. Health Certificate from appropriate Country of Origin Competent Authority

6. The well documented Breeding and Larval Rearing Program of the Hatchery where SPF/SPR P. monodon broodstock  or postlarvae will originate.

7. Detailed travel documents.

SECTION 2. Shrimp Grow-out Facility Certification – The following measures shall be observed in certifying shrimp farms to culture SPF/SPR P. monodon post-larvae:

a. Creation and Composition of a Regional Farm Certification Panel which will certify SPF/SPR   grow-out farms.

A farm certification panel for SPF/SPR P. monodon grow-out farms shall be created and shall consist of the following:

1. Regional Director of the BFAR (or representative) where the grow-out farm to be certified is located.
2. Head of aquaculture division of the said BFAR Regional Office
3. Regional Fish Health Officer
4. One shrimp expert to be appointed by BFAR.

This Regional Panel will also function as hatchery on site investigation team for hatchery accreditation applicants. Investigation result shall be endorsed by Regional Director to BFAR Central Office and will be reviewed by the IRA Panel prior to recommendation for approval to the BFAR National Director.

b. Certification Process for Grow-out Farms:

1. All shrimp grow-out farms wanting to avail of shrimp fry from BFAR-accredited SPF/SPR P. monodon hatcheries and culture the same shall file an application with the BFAR Regional Offices for certification as recipient farms for the commercial culture for  traceability of shrimp produced under the program and in compliance with international fisheries export standards.

2. Farm Facilities. The proposed grow-out farm must be designed, situated and operated in such a manner that will prevent and minimize risk of escapes. It should be able to comply with the minimum requirement for basic farm facilities in accordance with the Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP) and Code of Practices for Responsible Aquaculture and Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

c. Issuance of Farm Certification

The List of Shrimp Grow-out Farms which have complied with the requirement as provided in these Guidelines will be presented by the Regional Panel to their respective BFAR Regional Directors for approval and issuance of FARM CERTIFICATION. Validation of certification shall be three (3) years and subject to regular evaluation to determine the compliance by the farm with the Guidelines. Duplicate copy of the Farm Certification shall be submitted to the BFAR Central Office, as part of record-keeping.

d. Shrimp Postlarval Source

Certified grow-out farms should use only high health SPF/SPR P. monodon shrimp fry coming from shrimp hatcheries accredited by BFAR as provided for in Section 2 of these guidelines. Upon reservation for postlarvae from the accredited hatcheries Shrimp Fry Source Certification (SFSC) shall be issued to the qualified shrimp grow-out farms, stating the following information:

1.    Farm registration number
2.    Farm operator
3.    Farm location
4.    Pond area
5.    Stocking density
6.    Stocking date

e. Transport Requirement for the Produce

For the proper monitoring of the final shrimp product and in order to prevent final shrimp products coming from other source/s from entering the market, processing plants, consignacion and other outlets, farmers shall produce current Shrimp Fry Source Certification (SFSC) from the accredited hatcheries. Absence of the said Shrimp Fry Source Certification shall warrant confiscation of the final shrimp product.

f. Record-Keeping Requirement

To establish product traceability, the following data shall be required to be recorded for each pond and every production cycle by the farm to be certified:

1.    Pond identification number
2.    Pond Area
3.    Stocking date
4.    Quantity of post-larvae stocked
5.    Source of post-larvae (hatchery)
6.    Antibiotic and drug use
7.    Herbicide, algaecide and other pesticide use
8.    Manufacturer and lot number for each feed used
9.    Harvest date

The accredited hatcheries shall submit on regular basis the triplicate copy of the SFSC to their respective BFAR Regional Offices for record-keeping and counter checking. The original copy shall be provided to the recipient grow-out farm and the duplicate copy shall be kept at the accredited hatcheries for record purposes.

SECTION 3. Other Factors in Both Hatchery And Grow-Out farms – The following factors should be considered in the hatchery and grow-out farm facility:

a. Outbreak of any economically important viral diseases listed in section 1 a-4 of these guidelines:

Any shrimp farm found positive of any of the economically important viral diseases listed in section 1 a-4 of these guidelines shall be quarantined. No shrimp or shrimp products shall be allowed to leave the farm. Pond water shall be treated with calcium hypochlorite to attain an active chlorine level of 100 ppm. The water shall be discharged only after three days to ensure that the active chlorine has dissipated and shall no longer pose a problem to the organisms in the receiving water.

b. Printing of Documentation Materials

All documentation materials shall be printed only at the BFAR Central Office with proper security features to prevent tampering. As added security, all Certificates issued to BFAR Regional Offices shall be properly coded for ease in traceability and accountability.

SECTION 4. Effectivity – This order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette and/or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and fifteen (15) days after its registration with the Office of the National Administrative Register.

Adopted: 03 Dec. 2009
 
(SGD) ATTY. ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary

Recommended by:

(SGD) MALCOLM I. SARMIENTO, JR.
Director
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (SGD) SALVADOR S. SALACUP Assistant Secretary
OIC-Undersecretary for Fisheries and Livestocks