FISHERIES POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY DIVISION

• Assists in the implementation of the utilization of fish/fishery aquatic products in support to the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan;
• Promotes the development of value-added products for local and export markets;
• Develops a national fish and fishery products quality standards to include the code of practices, grades and guidelines;
• Implements standards and specifications in the production of value added fish/ fishery aquatic products;
• Undertakes pilot process of developed fish/fishery aquatic products through HACCP-APPROACH;
• Provides laboratory services for fish quality management of fishery products;
• Establishes and implements an inspection system for import and export of fish/fishery aquatic products and fish processing establishments consistent with international standards to ensure product quality and safety;
• Implements international agreements/commitments on the improvement of trading of fishery products and fish processing establishments consistent with international standards to ensure product quality and safety;
• Implements international agreements/commitments on the improvement of trading of fishery products under the regulation of the World Trade Organization-General agreements on tariff and trade on sanitary certificates for fish and fishery products;
• Provides training and extension services for fisheries post harvest technologies; and
• Performs such other related functions as may be assigned from time to time by the Assistant Directors and/or the Bureau Director.

AQUATIC PRODUCTS UTILIZATION AND STANDARDIZATION SECTION

• Promotes the development of value-added products for local and export markets;
• Adapts the standard procedures in the promotion of aquatic value-added products;
• Develops a national fish and fishery products quality standards to include the Code of Practices, Grades and Guidelines set;
• Prepares and implements guidelines and procedures for the utilization of aquatic products, for the proper utilization of aquatic products for domestic and export markets;
• Provides training and extension services on technology transfers; and
• Performs such other related functions as may be assigned from time to time by the Division Chief, the Assistant Directors and/or the Director of the Bureau.

FISH INSPECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL SECTION

• Implements an inspection system for import and export of fishery aquatic products consistent with the international standards to ensure product quality and safety;
• Enforces existing fisheries laws rules and regulations, standards for fish and fishery products through fish inspections, monitoring and verification of processing plants as to ensure product quality and safety;
• Implements international agreements/commitments on the movement or trade of fishery products under the regulation of WTO-GATT on sanitary and phyto-sanitary certificate for fish and fishery products and EU Commission Decision 95/190/EC, for the export of fishery products to EU;
• Inspects, monitors and verifies processing plants and establishments to ensure compliance to EU Council Directive 91/493/EEC and other EU directives, and the HACCP Mandatory Regulations of US-related directives to export fish and fishery products;
• Recommends the accreditation of fish processing plants/establishments that are complying with the existing national legislation, rules and regulations and international laws and requirements;
• Issues health certificates/quality certificates as a requirement for exporting fish and fishery products to EU, USA and other countries;
• Provides extension services and advisory assistance on HACCP-BASED inspection systems, requirements of processing establishments, international regulations and standards for product quality and safety, in coordination with the Regional Offices, other government agencies and the industry as a whole;
• Designs and conducts training/seminars/workshops for fish inspectors and quality safety management personnel of the industry; and
• Performs such other related functions as may be assigned by the Division Chief, the Assistant Directors and/or the Director of the Bureau.

FISHERY PRODUCTS AND TESTING LABORATORY SECTION

• Implements laboratory methods and standards for quality management of fish and fishery products;
• Provides laboratory services to the industry to ensure the quality and safety of fish and fishery products for export and domestic consumption;
• Coordinates, monitors and evaluates the operation of the Regional Fisheries Quality Laboratories;
• Identifies and coordinates with private and government testing laboratories in analyzing and certifying fishery products for export to E.U. markets;
• Imposes fees for laboratory analysis of fish/fishery products in accordance with the existing fishery laws and regulations;
• Provides training and extension services and advisory services on the operations/management of quality laboratory practices; and
• Performs such other related functions as may be assigned by the Division Chief, the Assistant Directors and/or the Director of the Bureau.

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