Question & AnswerQ&A (BFAR FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 230-1, S. 2009)
The purpose of BFAR FAO No. 230-1, Series of 2009 is to provide guidelines for the importation and culture of Specific Pathogen Free / Specific Pathogen Resistant (SPF/SPR) Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), and the culture of offspring thereof, to ensure biosecurity and disease-free status in shrimp aquaculture.
Pre-border measures include submission of a Certificate of Compliance signed by the National BFAR Director; inspection and accreditation of the shrimp hatchery by a Regional P. monodon Panel; submission of a complete dossier of the broodstock facility of origin; demonstration of at least two years disease-free status certified by competent authority; submission of disease history and laboratory test results for specific pathogens; and adherence to approved breeding programs and import permits.
The pathogens include Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV), White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), Infectious Hypodermal and Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV), Yellow Head Virus Disease (YHVD), Hepatopancreatic Parvo-like Virus (HPV), and Monodon Baculo Virus (MBV).
They must be allowed entry only at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and shipments should take the most direct route with no allowed trans-shipment. Chartered flights to other international airports require prior notice to BFAR Central Office.
Documents include Certificate of Compliance, two years disease-free status certificate, disease history of the broodstock facility, laboratory results from authorized laboratories, Health Certificate from the competent authority of the country of origin, well-documented breeding and larval rearing program, and detailed travel documents.
Standards include water treatment protocols (filtration, disinfection, conditioning), effluent water treatment, physical isolation of different production areas, controlled aeration with filters, sanitation measures (worker hygiene, footbaths, traffic flow control), disinfection of equipment, visitor restrictions, and exclusive use for SPF/SPR Penaeus monodon breeding.
The panel consists of the BFAR Regional Director (or representative), Head of Aquaculture Division of the BFAR Regional Office, Regional Fish Health Officer, and one shrimp expert appointed by BFAR.
Requirements include filing an application with the BFAR Regional Office, farm design and operation that prevent and minimize risk of shrimp escape, compliance with Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP), and Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
Affected farms shall be quarantined with no shrimp or shrimp products allowed to leave; pond water treated with calcium hypochlorite at 100 ppm active chlorine and discharged only after three days, ensuring environmental safety.
Farm certification is valid for three years and is subject to regular evaluation to ensure ongoing compliance with the guidelines.
Farms must record pond ID, pond area, stocking date and quantity, source hatchery, use of antibiotics and pesticides, manufacturer and lot number of feeds, and harvest date. Accredited hatcheries submit Shrimp Fry Source Certifications (SFSC) to BFAR Regional Offices regularly for monitoring.
The selling of shrimp eggs and nauplii by accredited hatcheries to non-accredited hatcheries is strictly prohibited to maintain quality and biosecurity.