18th National Tuna Congress by Orville Gamayon

Message from the Congress Host Dear Guests and Participants; Magandang Gensan!

The 18th National Tuna Congress aims to present and discuss the following: Amended Philippine Fisheries Code and the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan Challenges and Opportunities of Investing in the Pacific – An Investor’s Point of View Tuna Handlining: The Lagonoy and Mindoro Experience Philippines in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission Alternative Fishing Grounds in the Philippines Commodity and Market Updates on Canned Tuna Commodity and Market Updates on Fresh Frozen Tuna Market Accreditations for Philippine Tuna Products El Niño and La Niña Effects on Tuna Workshop on the National Tuna Management Plan

In the 18th National Tuna Congress (NTC) this year, stakeholders of tuna fishing industry will once again convene in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City, to tackle and address issues and challenges and to leverage on the opportunities present in the industry. These, among others, are the highlights of the Congress with the theme “Philippine Tuna: Gearing up for the Future.” The tuna industry players in the Philippines, through the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) are now, more than ever, ready to face the new challenges. Our commitment is to focus our efforts on strengthening our industry players’ resilience amidst climate change and how to effectively respond to ever changing market needs. The discussions on the effects of El Niño and La Niña on tuna will prepare our fishery stakeholders as they are about to take advantage of opportunities in the new fishing grounds and respond to the demands of the domestic and international markets. It is also in this year’s Congress that we are pleased to present two of the fruits our efforts in past years: the Amended Philippine Fisheries Code (R.A. No. 10654) and the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan (CNFIDP) 2016-2020. The goal of R.A. No. 10654 is to guarantee the rational and sustainable development, management and conservation of the fishery and aquatic resources in Philippine waters including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and in the adjacent high seas, consistent with the primal objective of maintaining a sound ecological balance, protecting and enhancing the quality of the environment. On the other hand, the CNFIDP, a mediumterm development plan, outlines the program and projects that will impact a sustainable fishery industry in the country and maintain ecological balance of marine resources covering the period 2016 to 2020. In behalf of the members of SOCSKSARGEN Fishing Federation and Allied Industries Inc., it is our honor and great pride to once again host the NTC in its 18th year. Guests and participants from the Philippines and other countries, we welcome and invite you to be our partners as we gear up for the future of Philippine tuna industry. Mabuhay tayong lahat!

JOAQUIN T. LU Chairperson 18th National tuna Congress

1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

CONTENTS The USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership: Collaborating to Strengthen Sustainability in the Sulu-Sulawesi!

ABOUT THE CONGRESS CONGRESS HOST HOST CITY

10 TUNA FEST SCHEDULE 11 CONGRESS SCHEDULE

MESSAGES

14-23

24 CONGRESS RESOLUTIONS 28 WORKING COMMITTEES 88

Group Seine Operations of Philippine Flagged Vessels in High Seas Pocket 1 (HSP1)

CONGRESS SPEAKERS

FRIENDS OF PHIL TUNA INDUSTRY

98-103 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 104

Relative abundance of skipjack for the purse seine fishery operating in the Philippines Moro Gulf

17th NTC PHOTO OPS

Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

44 50

Excerpts from the Overview of Tuna Fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean

Fifteen awesome reasons to visit Gensan in 2016

ARTICLES

BFAR’S OFFSHORE VESSELS: Tools for Efficient Fisheries Management

PHILIPPINE HIGH SEAS POCKET 1 OPERATIONS IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN

SSF on Phil Export Laboratory: Brings Convenient Laboratory Testing at an Affordable Price

Pilot Test of MARLIN Operation in High Seas Pocket 1

CSR: “KALUSUGAN MO, SAGOT KO”

Constraints and portfolio effect on a multi-species and multi gear FAD fisheries in the Philippine tuna fisheries

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CONGRESS HOST SOCSKSARGEN FEDERATION OF FISHING AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES, INC.

Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. is a non-government, non-profit organization, established in 1999 as an umbrella organization of 7 associations with a total over 100 companies involved in fishing, canning, fish processing, aquaculture production & processing and other allied industries. Its membership cuts across the entire value chain from the capture fisheries sector, composed of the hand line fishermen, the small, medium & large commercial ring netters and purse seine operators, to the fish processing sector and exporters composed of the big canning operators, fresh chilled, frozen fish value-adding sector. It is based in General Santos City governed by a Board of 14 Directors and by the Executive Director handling the day-to-day operations.

3. Provide a neutral venue for its members to raise specific problems and resolve fundamental issues besetting the industry; and, 4. Serve as a forum to strengthen industry representation and positioning with respect to other players in the world with the end in view of protecting, expanding, and maintaining the country’s strategic lead in the tuna industry.

member-associations 1. Southern Philippines Boat Owners and Tuna Association (SPBOTA) 2. South Cotabato Purse Seiners Association (SOCOPA)

Vision-Mission “To be a cohesive federation acting as catalyst towards attaining fishing industry’s sustainability and global competitiveness through advocacy work in the local, national and international level.” Its leadership exercises democratic and participative means in attaining the federation’s objectives which are anchored on its core values of unity, co-operation, collaboration, equality and social responsibility.

“Philippine Tuna:

1. Unite the different fishing associations and allied industries in SOCSKSARGEN to jointly work for a sustainable and globally competitive industry; 2. Serve as the voice of the fishing industry in lobbying for key policy agenda and relevant issues and concerns;

The Federation

The Objectives

Gearing Up for the Future”

3. Umbrella Fish Landing Association (UFLA) 4. Chamber of Aquaculture and Ancillary Industries of Sarangani, Inc. (CHAINS) 5. Tuna Canners Association General Santos (TCAGS) 6. Fresh Frozen Seafood Association of the Philippines, Inc. (FFSAPI) 7. Tuna Cooperative of General Santos City (Tuna Coop)

SOCSKSARGEN FEDERATION OF FISHING AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES, INC.

SFFAII Officers 2015-2017

Board of Directors Dexter G. Teng

General Manager, TSP Marine Industry

Roy C. Rivera

Executive Vice President & Chief Finance Officer, RD Corporation

Isidro D. Lumayag

President, South Cotabato Purse-Seiners Association President, CL Fishing

Dominic R. Salazar

Vice-President, South Cotabato Purse-Seiners Association General Manager, Trinity Homes Industrial Corporation

Benedicto L. Granfon, Jr.

Joaquin T. Lu President

Dexter G. Teng

1st Vice-President for Internal Affairs

Jose Emmanuel M. Santos

2nd Vice-President for External Affairs

President, Roel Fishing Industry, Inc. President, Umbrella Fish Landing Cooperative

Dino H. Barrientos Executive Director, UFLA

Joaquin T. Lu

President, TUNACOOP Chairman, Citra Mina Group of Companies

Soledad B. Manangquil

Vice-President, TUNACOOP President, Southern Minda Traders Corp.

Jose Emmanuel M. Santos President, FFSAPI President, Sta. Cruz Seafoods, Inc.

Neil G. del Rosario

Vice President, FFSAPI General Manager, Rell & Renn Fishing Corporation

Dino H. Barrientos Secretary

Neil G. del Rosario Treasurer

Ricardo B. Magnayon, Jr. Auditor

Ricardo B. Magnayon, Jr.

President, Tuna Canners Association of General Santos Plant Manger, General Tuna Corporation

Editha B. Espinosa

Treasurer, Tuna Canners Association of General Santos Plant Manager, Ocean Canning Corporation

Ramon M. Macaraig

President, Chamber of Aquaculture & Ancillary Industries of Sarangani, Inc. Consultant, Alsons Aquaculture, Inc.

Danilo E. Caparos

Board of Director, Chamber of Aquaculture & Ancillary Industries of Sarangani, Inc. Manager, San Andres Aquaculture

Ex-Officios: Roy C. Rivera

Public Relation Officer

Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras

Executive Director, SFFAII President, General Santos City Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council, Inc. Chairperson, ASEAN Seafood Federation

Domingo T. Teng

SFFAII President, 1999-2005 Chairman, Domingo Teng Group of Companies

Marfenio Y. Tan

SFFAII President, 2005-2011 Chairman, San Andres Fishing Industries, Inc.

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Host City General Santos City

Office of the City Mayor My warmest congratulations to SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. for its prevailing efforts to sustain the National Tuna Congress which is now on its 18th year. This prestigious congress is a critical event where local, national, and international fishing entrepreneurs, tuna industry players, and stakeholders from both the government and non-government agencies gather annually to discuss various issues and concerns of the tuna industry. This is also the time of the year when we fish new tuna industry technologies and innovations, market updates, and learning of best practices and tested solutions yielding positive results. I understand well that the Tuna Industry have gone through many forms of victories and defeat. And yet, we have endured and conquered over years. With this, I commend the organizers and patrons of the Tuna Congress for making this a remarkable event every year. Your efforts are worthy of emulation for ensuring a proactive industry who employs holistic approach in ensuring sustainable development and equip its stakeholders with the capacities and knowledge to face all circumstances. There are a large number of competitors around the globe and our greatest challenge could be how to manage and allocate tuna resources among these competitors. More than that, is how we maintain diplomatic relationship among our competitors. I must say that there are more to develop and work in the coming years though, most especially that we are about to experience a great paradigm shift through a new administration. May this congress motivate and inspire everyone to think outside the box and prepare your contribution as you sail together gearing towards a more lively and optimistic socio-economic disposition in the tuna industry. Having said that, let me assure you that the Local Government Unit of General Santos City, in its own capacity, is more than willing to extend the support you will need to keep the tuna industry flourished. Grow and expand, ladies and gentlemen! On behalf of the constituents of General Santos City, welcome and be our partners!

Ronnel C. Rivera City Mayor

1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

CONGRESS SCHEDULE Wednesday, 31.08.16 7:00 - 10:00 AM

10:00 AM- 1:00 PM 1:30-2:00 PM 2:00 PM - 6:30 PM

18th NTC Caravan Assembly Area Opening of the Trade Exhibit Keynote Speaker

Gensan Fishport Hon. Ramon M. Lopez Secretary, DTI

Registration Assembly Opening Ceremonies Invocation Local Government City Choir National Anthem Opening of the 18th National Tuna Congress Mr. Joaquin T. Lu Chairman, 18th NTC

Welcome Address

Hon. Ronnel C. Rivera

Introduction of the Guest of Honor

Hon. Eduardo B. Gongona

Keynote Address

H.E. Rodrigo R. Duterte

City Mayor, General Santos City Undersecretary for Fisheries, DA National Director, BFAR

President, Republic of the Philippines

CONGRESS PLENARY Plenary Topic 1: Amended Philippine Fisheries Code Hon. Eduardo B. Gongona Undersecretary for Fisheries, DA and the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry National Director, BFAR Development Plan Open Forum

Plenary Topic 2: Challenges and Opportunities of Investing in the Pacific – An Investor’s Point of View

Mr. Pedro C. Celso

Managing Director, RD Tuna Canners, Papua New Guinea

Open Forum

Plenary Topic 3: El Niño and La Niña Effects on Tuna

Mr. Jean François Bonnin

Director, Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), Sustainable Fisheries Division

Open Forum

7:00 PM

Plenary Topic 4: THE OCEANS AND FISHERIES PARTNERSHIP: Collaborating to Strengthen Sustainability in the Sulu-Sulawesi Welcome Dinner Party

Mr. Geronimo T. Silvestre

Chief of Party, The Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans)

18th NTC Dining Area, SM Trade Hall

Thursday, 01.09.16 - Breakout Sessions 9:00-9:30 AM 9:30-10:00 AM

Assembly Capture Fisheries Group

Canning/Fresh Frozen Group

Topic 1: Tuna Handlining: The Lagonoy and Mindoro Experience

Topic 1: Commodity and Market Updates on Canned Tuna

Mr. Atenogenes Reaso President, Gulf of Lagonoy Tuna Fishers Federation, Inc.

Mr. Francisco J. Buencamino

Mr. Bernie Castellano

Executive Director, Tuna Canners Association of the Philippines

President, Occidental Mindoro Tuna Fishers Federation

10:00-10:15 AM

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“Philippine Tuna:

Open Forum

Gearing Up for the Future”

18th National Tuna Congress “Philippine Tuna: Gearing Up for the Future”

SM General Santos Trade Halls, General Santos City, Philippines August 31-September 02, 2016

Thursday, 01.09.16 - Breakout Workshops 10:15-10:45 AM

Capture Fisheries Group Topic 2: Alternative Fishing Grounds in the Philippines

Canning/Fresh Frozen Group Topic 2: Commodity and Market Updates on Fresh Frozen Tuna

Dr. Alma C. Dickson

Ms. Jillian Karen L. Mirabueno

Former Chief, BFAR-National Marine Fisheries Development Center

Chief Executive Officer, Philfresh Corporation

Open Forum

11:00-11:30 AM

Topic 3: Philippines in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

Topic 3: Market Accreditations and Certification for Philippine Fresh Frozen Tuna Products

Atty. Benjamin Felipe S. Tabios

Mr. Harvi M. Abangan

Assistant Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Management System Consultant, HMA Management Consulting

Lunch Break

11:45 AM -1:00 PM 1:00-5:30 PM

Breakout Workshop: National Tuna Management Plan: Reactions and Inputs from Facilitator

Facilitator

Mr. Nazario Briguera

Ms. Evie D. Lumingkit

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Chief, BFAR 10 Postharvest and Marketing Division

Resource Persons: Introduction to Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management

Resource Persons: Presentation of the Post-Harvest Related Provisions of the First Draft of the 2017 National Tuna Management Plan

Mr. Noel C. Barut

Ms. Consuelo C. Baltazar, OIC-BFAR Fisheries, Post

National Fisheries Research Development Institute

Harvest Technology Division

Presentation of the First Draft of the 2017 National Tuna Management Plan

Presentation of the Trade and Marketing Related Provisions of the First Draft of the 2017 National Tuna Management Plan Ms. Amor G. Diaz,

Mr. Rafael Ramiscal, BFAR Capture Fisheries Division

Officer-In-Charge, BFAR Fisheries Industry

Other Resource Persons for the Open Forum:

Mr. Luisito Romeo Correa, PFDA Mr. Severino Escobar, BFAR Dr. Alma Dickson, BFAR Consultant Ms. Elaine Garvilles, Natl Fisheries Research Dev’t Institute

Mr. Dennis Tiotangco,BFAR

Panel of Reactors:

Mr. Atenogenes Reaso, Municipal Fisher, Lagonoy Mr. Bernie Castellano, Municipal Fisher, Mindoro Raul Gonzales, Handline, Gensan Ritchie Rich T. Tan, Purse Seine, EEZ Dominic Salazar, Purse Seine, HSP1 Augusto Natividad, National Tuna Industry Council Atty. Benjamin Felipe S. Tabios, BFAR Arsenio S. Tanchuling, Philippine Council for Fisheries and Agriculture, Committee of Fisheries and Aquaculture Dr. Wilfredo Campos, University of the Philippines Prof. Gaily Jubie Hontiveros, Mindanao State University

Ms. Emma F. Garay, Fresh Frozen Seafood Association of the Philippines

Mr. Ricardo B. Magnayon,Tuna Canners Association of General Santos

Ms. Marife Quiam, Philexport 12 Mr. Paris Ayon , PFDA Mr. Albino Ganchero, DTI-Export Marketing Bureau Prof. Encarnacion Emilia Santos-Yap, University of the Philippines in the Visayas

Prof. Gaily Jubie Hontiveros, Mindanao State University

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CONGRESS SCHEDULE Friday, 02.09.16 - Congress Plenary 9:00-9:30 AM

Assembly

9:30-10:00 AM

Workshop Result Presentation: Capture Fisheries Group

10:00-10:15 AM 10:15-10:45 AM

Open Forum Workshop Result Presentation: Canning & Fresh Frozen Group

10:45-11:00 AM 11:00 - 11:15 PM 11:30 - 1:00 PM

Mr. Nazario Briguera Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Ms. Amor Diaz Officer-In-Charge, BFAR Fisheries Industry Development Support Division

Open Forum Coffee Break Closing Ceremonies Updates on the 17th NTC Resolutions

Mr. Richie Rich T. Tan Co-Chairperson, Program & Resolution Committee

Reading of the 18th NTC Resolutions

Mr. Dominic Salazar Co-Chairperson, Program & Resolution Committee

Ceremonial Turnover of Conference Resolutions

Mr. Joaquin T. Lu

Special Message

Hon. Emmanuel F. Piñol

Chairman, 18th National Tuna Congress Secretary, Department of Agriculture

Closing Remarks

Mr. Neil del Rosario Chairman, Finance Committee

1:00 PM 7:00 PM

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Late Lunch Farewell Dinner

“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

1 8 t h N T C D i n i n g A r ea, SM Trade Hall

18th TUNA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES No.

Events

Date

Time

Venue

Grand Carnival

Aug. 22- Sept. 22

Oval Plaza

SMB Party Zone

Aug. 22- Sept. 5

Oval Plaza

Coke Pasaya

Aug. 22- Sept. 7

Oval Plaza

Organizer

Food Court & Food Display

Aug. 22- Sept. 22

Oval Plaza

Tindang Gabi

Aug. 22- Sept. 22

Oval Plaza

Photo Exhibit

Aug. 22-Sept. 22

KCC

Gensan Camera Club

The 2nd Quiz Bee: A Journey throug History

Aug. 27

SM Event Center

The Pioneers-Decendants of GS

Flavours of Tuna: A Culinary & Skills Challenge

Aug. 31- Sept. 1

KCC Veranza

Golden State College Inc.

National Tuna Congress

Aug. 31- Sept. 2

SM Trade Hall

SFFAII

Grand Opening

Sept. 1

Oval Plaza

BFAR

Tuna Float Parade

Sept. 1

Mall Partner-Oval Plaza

Ms. Judith Janiola

Ms. Tourism Gensan 2016

Sept. 2

Oval Plaza

CEMCDO

Sugbahan sa Dalan

Sept. 3

1-12pm

Pioneer Avenue

GSC Tourism Council

Grand Fishfest sa Fish Port

Sept. 3

8am-8pm

Fish Port

PFDA

3-10pm

TBA

Brigada

Brigada Teen-Guwang

Sept. 3

Talent Showcase of the Generals

Sept. 3

SM Mall

Mr. Elmer Cequina, YADO

TF Lawihan Triathlon

Sept. 4

Dolores Tropicana or QTP

Mr. Esteban Ko

5K Fun Run

Sept. 4

TBA

Virginia Foods

1ST Tunafest Dragon Boat Championship

Sept. 3-4

Queen Tuna Park

c/o Ronan V.

3rd SJSA Tunafest Jetski Invitational

Sept. 4

Fish Port

SJSA Jonathan Macailing

Bombo Radyo Tuna Bancarera

Sept. 5

Bombo Radyo

Culmination

Sept. 5

Oval Plaza

BFAR

Lawihan Street Dancing

Sept. 5

Mall Partner-Oval Plaza

Mr. Nur Hassan Juanday

Zumba Concert

Sept. 5

Oval Plaza

Legends Zumba

Breakfast with the Generals

Sept. 5

7:30 AM

City Hall

HR, City Mayors Office,Admin

Wreath-Laying Ceremony

Sept. 5

7:00am

Gensan Park

HR, City Mayors Office,Admin

Thanks Giving Mass & Flag Raising

Sept. 5

6:30am

City hall

HR, City Mayors Office,Admin

TF Boxing Tournament

Sept. 5-6

TBA

LGU SDO

Beach Football Tournament

Sept. 8-9

TBA

LGU SDO

Lawn Tennis Tournament

Sept. 5- 10

GSC Tennis Club

GSCTC

RMN Medical Mission

Aug. 27

Robinson,s Place

RMN

Table Tennis Tournament

Aug. 27- 28

Gaisano Mall Atrium

TATAG

Acapella Singing Competition

TBA

RPN

1st Gensan Fest Swimming Competition

TBA

LGU-SDO

Beach Volleyball Tournament

TBA

LGU-SDO

TF Open Basketball Invitational Tournament

TBA

Mr. Bobby Pacquiao

Tribol 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

TBA

Dong Gonzales

Palawan Express Run Gensan 2016

TBA

Palawan Pawnshop

2016 TF Soccsksargen Chess Championship

TBA

Lady Margaret Manalo

2nd TF Dog Show

TBA

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Republic of the Philippines

Office of the President My warmest greetings to the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. as you hold your 18th National Tuna Congress and Trade Exhibit. As a maritime and archipelagic nation, the Philippines is surrounded by seas that are teeming with marine life. These same waters are a source of sustenance and livelihood for many Filipinos-a source that has come increasingly under threat overfishing and climate change. This congress is a great venue for your sector to explore the solution to these emerging challenges in your field even as you look at promising opportunities and celebrate the overflowing abundance of marine life. This event also gives you the opportunity to begin formulating the National Tuna Management Plan-a binding blueprint that will guide the local tuna industry to develop and grow in a healthier and more sustainable manner. I am certain that with your unity, resourcefulness and resolve, you and your allied sectors will overcome the obstacles in your path and help the country sail towards calmer and more bountiful waters. May you have a productive and engaging congress

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Futureâ&#x20AC;?

Messages Republic of the Philippines

Office of the Vice-President Warmest greetings to the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industry Inc. as you spearhead the 18th National Tuna Congress. We believe that in order for us to revive our agricultural sector, national scale reforms must be developed and supported by efficient groundlevel initiatives that will improve the lives of people. We are glad that you are actively participating in advancing reforms, primarily by developing effective management practices in the tuna industry. It is our hope that this event will inspire all your stakeholders to continue being integral players in promoting sustainability and progress. Mabuhay tayong lahat!

LENI ROBREDO

1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

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“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

Hardware – Software – Communications – SAT The Tunabal 7 BuoyBuoy andand the the ZuniSea Controller The Tuna8 Explorer ZuniSea Controllerare are two two devices that that make make fifishing more effi efficient and sustainable. sustainable. The The devices shing more cient and combination ofofthese constitutes a comprehensive tool combination theseelements elements constitutes a comprehensive for fishing that isthat agile in decision-making. On land tool for fishing is and agileessential and essential in decision-making. or on board, system offers information in real time, plus itin is On land or this on board, this system offers information secure and plus confidential. You and get all of this without needing real time, it is secure confi dential. You get allany of accessory equipment, which translates into significant savings. this without needing any accessory equipment, which We extract information from the sea and analyze it in order to translates into significant savings. facilitate everyday labor in the fishing sector. We extract information from the sea and analyze it in order to facilitate everyday labor in the fishing sector.

1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

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Mindanao Development Authority

Office of the Chairperson Magandang Gensan! I would like to express my warmest congratulations to the SOCCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing & Allied Industries Inc. (SFFAII) for successfully holding the 18th National Tuna Congress & Trade Exhibit at the SM City in General Santos. For almost two decades now, SFFAII has continuously supported the growth of the country’s tuna industry through the conduct of this annual event that has provided learning opportunities among key stakeholders of this important sector. This year’s chosen theme, “Philippine Tuna: Gearing Up For the Future” calls for the country’s tuna players and stakeholders to be constantly receptive to the changing trends of the industry, both in the short-term and long-term visions. I am glad that this year’s topics explore the country’s participation in the international market, while discussing the challenges and opportunities of investing in the Pacific Rim. It is my hope that this year’s congress will facilitate for the creation of more enabling agreements and resolutions that will allow our country’s tuna industry to become more prolific and resilient in the years to come. This industry has already hurdled regulatory and environmental challenges in the past, but seeing the sustained partnership and coordination among the public and private tuna players, I am confident that a brighter future is ahead of us. May this congress also pursue efforts in the protection and preservation of our coastal and marine resources to mitigate the effects of environmental degradation that will have direct impact to all industry players and stakeholders. Let us continue in making this congress a platform for the exchange of knowledge and best practices in our larger efforts to chart a better future for the country’s tuna industry. Mabuhay!

LUWALHATI ANTONINO Former Head of Delegation of the Philippines to the WCPFC

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“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

Messages Department of Agriculture

Office of the Secretary

Warmest greetings to the officers and members of the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc (SFFAII) on the 18th year of staging the National Tuna Congress. We in the DA are proud to be part of this industry that for the past decades has symbolized the dynamism of the Philippine fisheries sector. Your theme this year “Philippine Tuna: Gearing Up for the Future” underscores the industry’s new fervor and optimism for a more resilient and robust Philippine tuna sector. For despite the continuing decline in the volume of local tuna catch, you have all persevered in moving the industry forward as evidenced by the continued growth of your export receipts. Indeed, as we welcome the prospects of change and renewal under President Duterte’s leadership, we have to think out of the box and search for key innovations in doing agriculture and fisheries. President Duterte himself has started to “rock the boat,” so to speak, with his call for a color coded food map for identifying key production areas, quantifying the volume of food needed by Filipino families, extending technological and financial support and providing transport and market infrastructure to our farmers and fisherfolk. Through the years, the growth of the tuna industry has been spurred by innovations and I must commend the SFFAII and all the tuna stakeholders for striving to creatively address the challenges that confront the industry, which now include climate change, massive resource depletion and fishing ground restrictions. As I therefore congratulate you on your 18th year, I urge you to further strengthen your partnership with our new government in bringing about meaningful political, economic and social changes towards a more globally competitive Philippine tuna industry, a bountiful and sustainable agriculture sector, and a progressive and prosperous Filipino nation.

EMMANUEL F. PIÑOL Secretary

1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

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“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

Maritime Industry Authority

VISION STATEMENT MARINA 2016 : A premiere maritime administration in Southeast Asia propelling the Philippine maritime industry to global competitiveness.

MISSION STATEMENT

SERVICES OFFERED

To effectively administer an integrated and sustainable maritime industry.

DOMESTIC/FRANCHISING • Issuance/renewal/extension of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) OVERSEAS SHIPPING • Receive applications for issuance of Special Permit (SP) to engage in BIMP-EAGA Trade SHIPBUILDING/ SHIPREPAIR AND SHIPYARD • Issuance of license to engage in shipbuilding, shiprepair and boatbuilding MARITIME SAFETY • Audit and Inspection of all Philippine-registered ships and issuance of necessary ship safety certificates. MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT • Issuance of Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) • Issuance of Domestic-Certificate of Competency (D-COC) • Issuance of licenses (Boat Captains and Marine Diesel Mechanic/Motorman) • Processing of licenses (Major Patron & Minor Patron) STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION & WATCHKEEPING (STCW) * Issuance of Certificate of Proficiency for: Basic Training (BT) Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boat (PSCRB) Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boat (PFRB) Advance Fire Fighting Medical First Aid (MEFA) Medical Care (MECA) 1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

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DEPARTMENT OF TRADE & INDUSTRIES

Office of the Secretary

Warmest greetings to the organizers, participants and guest of the 18th National Tuna Congress as hosted by the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industry Inc. (SFFAII) your theme, “Philippine Tuna: Gearing Up for the Future” is remarkable in its call for all stakeholders to unite and work harder to further strengthen the Philippine tuna industry – which has continued to grow despite a few emerging challenges. We at DTI fully support the Philippine tuna industry. The Philippines is already a beneficiary of the Generalized Scheme of Preference which provides reduced or zero tariffs to a limited number of products. Our supports includes technical assistance and capacity building for PH exporters to Europe through the EU’s Trade Related Technical Assistance Project. In cooperation with PhilExport Council 12, the P9 Million Shared Service Facility Project for the PhilExport Laboratory was launched last month. With this lab and its DTI-provided state-of-the-art equipment, tuna industry stakeholders can avail of convenient testing services at less cost. DTI will also continue developing more exporters thru its Regional Interactive Platform for PH Exporters Plus. By extending strategic firm level interventions to participating companies to make them export-ready and/or enhance their export capacity and competitiveness, DTI hopes to expand the supply base of globally competitive PH export products and services. We thank SFFAII for its steadfast commitment to government in achieving much needed and long overdue genuine change in our country. Mabuhay!

RAMON M. LOPEZ Secretary

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“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

Messages 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF SOUTH COTABATO & GEN. SANTOS CITY

Office of the Representative

My warmest greetings to the members and officers of SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Ind., Inc (SFFAII) on your 18th celebration of National Tuna Congress! Over the years you and the Tuna Industry sailed through rough and tough times. You persevered and most specially accepted the challenge that is facing the fishing sector. We take pride on the fact that Gensan became known over the country and for the input it is giving to the economy more particularly on employment and local investment. The industry is indeed a pillar for the city and SFFAII continues to fortify it for the well being of the sector and the people of General Santos City. This representation will continue to be your ally in the halls of Congress. Fisheries as a natural resource that is heavily challenged nowadays needs to be protected in terms of management and conservation without however endangering the livelihood of our fishermen and the fisheries sector as a whole. There is a delicate balance on this approach but I am confident that the interest or welfare of the people will stand out at the end of the day. On its 18th Congress, may the officers, members and stakeholders of the industry continue to push the limits to bring about its full potential in the midst of crises. I have I hopes that the future of tuna industry is promising with the right approach, character and mindset. With the government support in general, prospects are high in terms of capability even in the global market. More power to Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc.!

PEDRO B. ACHARON, JR.

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Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

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“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

Messages Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Office of the Director

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) congratulates the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc. (SFFAII) for its 18th year of holding the National Tuna Congress. We thank SFFAII for their active partnership with the government in reaching our common goals for the tuna industry and the fishery sector as a whole. This year’s theme “Philippine Tuna: Gearing Up for the Future” shows your strong commitment towards sustainable tuna industry. As we all know, our economy greatly benefits from exported tuna. In 2015, the industry produced more than 104 thousand metric tons valued at around 353 million US dollars. More than fifty-four percent of our produce goes to the European Union (EU) market. Other markets are Japan and the Unite d States of America. In order to sustain our economic gains from the tuna industry, conservation activities like intensified fishery law enforcement must be strictly observed. We need to implement the right regulatory measures that can result to steady and affordable tuna supply for our people. Let us align our efforts with the thrust of the new administration in its program of food self-sufficiency by ensuring sustainable tuna production. Maraming salamat po!

COMMODORE EDUARDO B GONGONA PCG (RET) Undersecretary for Fisheries and BFAR National Director

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CONGRESS SPEAKERS Amended Philippine Fisheries Code and the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan Hon. Eduardo B. Gongona

Undersecretary for Fisheries, Dept. of Agriculture National Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the whole fisheries sector continue to sail with a firmer fisheries code and an all-inclusive industry development plan. This presentation discusses the salient features of Republic Act. 10654 or An act to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Republic Act No. 8550, otherwise known as ‘The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998’ and for other purposes which are aimed for an improved and bettermanaged fisheries resource ensuring food sufficiency and livelihood of our fisherfolk. Moreover, this presentation lays down the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan or CNFIDP 2016-2020, an instrument crafted by more than 500 representatives from all fisheries subsectors and relevant government agencies and NGOs all over the country in a series of rigorous consultation-workshops. It discusses in detail the strategic plans of action which are directed in reaching respective target growths in the next five years of all four fisheries sub-sectors – aquaculture, capture fisheries, post-harvest as well as trade and marketing.

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Challenges and El Niño and La Niña Effects Opportunities of Investing in on Tuna the Pacific – An Investor’s Mr. Jean François Point of View Bonnin Mr. Pedro C. Celso

Managing Director, RD Tuna Canners, Papua New Guinea The Speaker represents a group that is a pioneer investor (RD-PNG Group) in an integrated Fishing and On-Shore Processing business in Papua New Guinea—a major fishing ground for tuna in the Pacific. Having lived in Papua New Guinea for the last 21 years and the current Managing Director of RD Tuna Canners Ltd., he has experienced a good number of challenges and opportunities not only in PNG but also in the entire South Pacific area. He has been the Chairman of the Fishing Industry Association (PNG) Ltd for about eight years and was a former Vice-Chairman of the Pacific Islands Tuna Industries Association (PITIA). As the Chairman of the FIA, he has sat as a member of the Board of the National Fisheries Authority for a couple of years. A former banker and a Certified Public Accountant by profession, the Speaker will share his insights on the opportunities in investing in the Pacific but on the other hand, will also share his views on the challenges and how his company has been able to cope up with those all these years such that the positives still outweighs the negatives. His presentation will also touch on some advices and recommendations based on the historical and existing cultural and business realities in the Pacific Region.

Gearing Up for the Future”

Director, Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS), Sustainable Fisheries Division

Mr. Patrick Lehodey

Chief, CLS Oceanography Division, Department of Marine Ecosystems The four main tuna species that underpin Pacific Ocean fisheries, skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis, yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares, bigeye tuna T. obesus and South Pacific albacore tuna T. alalunga, yield combined harvests well in excess of 4 million tonnes each year, and support fishing operations ranging from industrial fleets to subsistence catches. Because tuna are highly migratory, management of their fisheries involves the cooperation of all countries within the distribution zones of the main species, and the distant water fishing nations from outside this region that also harvest these fish. This management requires also discriminating between the influence of natural fluctuations in the stocks and basin scale distributions and the fishing impact. The El Nino Southern Oscillation is the strongest interannual climate signal in the Pacific Ocean that has been shown of influence on the distribution, abundance and catchability of tunas. In this presentation, current knowledge and recent results based on ecosystem and fish population dynamics will be reviewed and the challenges of future management of tuna stocks be discussed.

SPEAKERS & TOPICS

THE OCEANS AND Tuna Handlining: The FISHERIES PARTNERSHIP: Lagonoy and Mindoro Collaborating to Strengthen Experience Sustainability in the SuluMr. Atenogenes Sulawesi Reaso Mr. Geronimo T. Silvestre

Chief of Party, The Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans) Communities in the AsiaPacific region are heavily dependent on marine and coastal fisheries for food and their livelihood. However, Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fish stocks and coral reefs are in danger as a result of unsustainable fishing practices, which threaten biodiversity, food security and livelihoods. Globally, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is estimated to account for $10-23 billion annually, representing between 13-31% of the global catch. In Asia, fisheries are in a state of overcapacity. Overfishing combined with IUU fishing, destructive fishing and seafood fraud are causing fisheries to collapse. The decline and failure of Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regional fisheries will ultimately have devastating consequences for regional food security and marine biodiversity. The USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans), a collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), and the Coral Triangle Initiative for Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) aims to strengthen regional cooperation to combat IUU fishing, promote sustainable fisheries and conserve marine biodiversity in the Asia-Pacific region. The Partnership will develop, demonstrate and expand a catch documentation and traceability (CDT) system, working closely with ASEAN and CTI member states to enhance traceability and fisheries management across the region. Piloting the system in two learning sites, the Philippines and USAID Oceans have developed a close collaboration, with General Santos city to serve as a regional model for design, implementation, and testing. Together with a sister site in Indonesia, USAID Oceans and the Philippines will embark on a four-year project to improve fisheries sustainability and management.

President, Gulf of Lagonoy Tuna Fishers Federation, Inc. The presentation provides an overview of the sustainable tuna fisheries management program that the Gulf of Lagonoy Tuna Fishers Federation (GLTFF), Inc. and WWFPhilippines through the Partnership Program Towards Sustainable Tuna (PPTST) have been implementing since 2011 whose aim is to secure the livelihood of our small scale tuna handline fishers in Lagonoy Gulf. Moreover, the presentation will also highlight the progress we have achieved and our contribution towards sustainable fisheries management. We will also discuss the challenges and lessons learned over the past years and our future direction of ensuring food security and economic prosperity without compromising the sustainability of our tuna resources in Lagonoy Gulf where our source of food and income depends.

Tuna Handlining: The Lagonoy and Mindoro Experience Mr. Bernie Castellano

President, Occidental Mindoro Tuna Fishers Federation This presentation for the Mindoro Strait experience will tackle mostly on the supply chain management works as complement with the sustainable fisheries management works that was highlighted in the presentation of Lagonoy Gulf. As part of the WWF-PPTST, aside from strengthening our position in fisheries governance, the members of Occidental Mindoro Tuna Fishers Federation were actively involved also in making sure that the tuna landed in our major landing sites are of high quality, legal and compliant with the international standard for food safety and proper hygiene. Furthermore, we will showcase in this presentation, the improvements of the tuna handling practices and the facilities over the years of the project implementation of PPTST. We will also share the significant progress that our Tuna Fishers Federation have achieved and also the pressing issues and challenges that we will still need to address in promoting sustainable tuna fisheries and strengthening our position in the tuna industry by advocating equitable market share along the tuna supply chain.

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CONGRESS SPEAKERS Commodity and Market Updates on Canned Tuna Mr. Francisco J. Buencamino

Executive Director, Tuna Canners Association of the Philippines

Alternative Fishing Grounds in the Philippines Dr. Alma C. Dickson

Former Chief, BFARNational Marine Fisheries Development Center

Mr. Buencamino will talk on the present operating problems of canned tuna exports and the impact on export trade of PH tuna deriving from the GSP PLUS program. The difficulties of sourcing tuna fish raw materials for canning has constrained TCAP to request assistance from government to deviate from the EU Rules of Origin by derogation or other means to improve on availability of raw materials. He will discuss various ways of approaching the problem.

The waters surrounding the Philippine Archipelago are well known to harbour a rich biodiversity of marine flora and fauna which provide fish food and other aquatic products to support livelihood of the Municipal, Commercial fishers and other Stakeholders to achieve food security. BFAR initiated the intervention thru the utilization of M/V DA-BFAR by conducting various researches, surveys, fishing expeditions and collaborative studies which served as tools to continuously identify new/potential fishing grounds.

On the other hand, he will also cover a discussion on excessive regulation within the industry to work towards improvement in the ease of doing business.

Although surveys and relative studies were conducted in the Pacific Seaboard in 2006, 2007 and 2010 respectively, the most recent studies were focused in Benham Rise Region particularly in Benham Bank. In 2013 to 2015, Consecutive and simultaneous oceanographic studies by BFAR, and other collaborative institutions were implemented which provided primary data on the physico-chemical properties of water and other biological abundance such as presence of upwelling areas, high Chlorophyll-A, Dissolved Oxygen concentration and high Phytoplankton density. These parameters contributed in the identification of Tuna spawning areas and potential fishing grounds. Large pelagic species like tuna such as Skipjack, Yellowfin, Bigeye, Billfishes and Opah were also identified and caught. Exploratory fishing activities with the use of Tuna Longline and Handline concluded that Benham Bank is an ideal/ potential alternative fishing ground for Tuna and other commercially important fishes. Thus, the need to intensify collaborative efforts with other agencies and institutions and fishing companies to further explore, develop and manage the potentials of Benham Rise Region to benefit of the entire fishing industry.

Finally, he will cover various developments in other markets where canned tuna is exported to update the industry on these market situationers.

Philippines in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission Atty. Benjamin Felipe S. Tabios

Assistant Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Benjamin F. S. Tabios Jr. will introduce the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission [IOTC], its present membership, the legal framework managing the fish stocks in the Indian Ocean and the fishing opportunities available to the Philippines. Mr. Rafael V. Ramiscal will introduce the available science data in the Indian Ocean.

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Commodity and Market Updates on Fresh Frozen Tuna Ms. Jillian Karen L. Mirabueno

Chief Executive Officer, Philfresh Corporation The presentation will lay down the production and marketing updates of fresh frozen tuna among domestic and international players. An overview of the supply trend of tuna by fishers and processors, and the demand trends of domestic and internationl buyers specifically among major markets (i.e USA, Japan, and EU) will be discussed. In addition, challeges and opportunities present in the fresh frozen tuna industry will also be presented. This will include, among others, fishing restrictions, existing policies and regulations, trade tariffs and quotas, ongoing free trade agreement negotiations, market demand opportunities, emerging buyers requirments, and overall industry outlook.

Market Accreditations and Certification for Philippine Fresh Frozen Tuna Products Mr. Harvi M. Abangan Management System Consultant, HMA Management Consulting

In today’s global economy, everyone is becoming more aware of the importance of food safety. As the population and demand for food increase, the risk of food poisoning and food fraud incidents also increase. Market access is becoming more and more complex and demanding and compliance to the requirements on sustainability, social compliance, food safety and legality are now the topmost priority in the global market. To maintain the competitive edge of our local fish processors, certification to food safety and quality management systems standards like those recognized by GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) and sustainability certifications like MSC CoC and ASC CoC are of key importance. Recent FAO RAP Publication No. 2007/24 on the “Potential Costs and Benefits of Fisheries Certification for Countries in the Asia-pacific Region” stated: improved client relationships, improved management resulting in longer term sustainability, improved quality of products, better knowledge of provenance and source, continued and improved access to markets, improved public image, due diligence and continual improvement are only some of the immense benefits of management system certifications.

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RESOLUTIONS

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SERIES OF

2016

RESOLUTION STRONGLY REITERATING THE REQUEST FOR BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS TO EXPEDITE THE PASSAGE OF THE LAW CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES AND FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES TO CERTIFY URGENT THE BILL AS PROPOSED

RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES AND THE NATIONAL TUNA INDUSTRY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER THE 18TH NATIONAL TUNA CONGRESS WORKSHOP OUTPUTS IN THE FINALIZATION OF THE 2017 NATIONAL TUNA MANAGEMENT PLAN

RESOLUTION STRONGLY REQUESTING THE MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY (MARINA) TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OF ALLIANCE OF PHILIPPINE FISHING FEDERATION, INC.(APFFI) AND SOCSKSARGEN FEDERATION OF FISHING AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES INC. (SFFAII) ON THE MARINA CIRCULAR (MC) NO. 2012-06 ON “REVISED MINIMUM SAFE MANNING FOR SHIPS OPERATING IN PHILIPPINE DOMESTIC WATERS”

RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE THROUGH BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES TO UPGRADE THE CAPABILITIES OF THE BFAR 12 ANALYTICAL LABORATORY IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY

RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE STRONG REPRESENTATION WITH INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT TO GRANT NAVIGATIONAL LANES IN THE INDONESIAN WATERS FOR USE OF PHILIPPINE-FLAGGED VESSELS ENROUTE TO FISHING GROUNDS IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC CONVENTION AREA.

RESOLUTION URGING THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO SETTLE WITH THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BUFFER ZONE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE MARITIME BOUNDARIES

RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE 17TH CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES TO RATIFY THE AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA CONCERNING THE DELIMITATION OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE BOUNDARY AS REQUIRED UNDER ARTICLE IV THEREOF FOR ITS IMMEDIATE ENFORCEMENT

RESOLUTION STRONGLY REITERATING THE REQUEST FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CREATE A HIGHLY MIGRATORY FISHERIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION UNDER THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES

“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

18th NTC Resolutions Series of 2016

RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO REVIEW OF THE RECENTLY ISSUED IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR) OF REPUBLIC ACT 9379, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “HANDLINE FISHING LAW”

RESOLUTION REITERATING THE REQUEST TO THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT TO DEFER THE RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION CONVENTION 188 ENTITLED “CONVENTION CONCERNING WORK IN THE FISHING SECTOR” AND ITS ACCOMPANYING ILO RECOMMENDATION 199 ENTITLED, “RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING WORK IN THE FISHING SECTOR,” PENDING A FAVORABLE CONSENSUS AMONG ALL STAKEHOLDERS HAS BEEN ATTAINED AFTER AN IN-DEPTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION PROCESS

RESOLUTION REITERATING THE REQUEST TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE CONGRESS TO AMEND REPUBLIC ACT 10635 ENTITLED, “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY (MARINA) AS THE SINGLE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE 1978 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS, AS AMENDED, AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OR COVENANTS RELATED THERETO”, SPECIFICALLY THE INCLUSION OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FISHERIES INDUSTRY SECTOR IN THE MARINA BOARD

RESOLUTION REITERATING THE REQUEST TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT TO CONSIDER THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SOCSKSARGEN FEDERATION OF FISHING AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES, INC. AS ONE OF THE TWO PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BOARD OF THE PHILIPPINE FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

RESOLUTION STRONGLY REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT TO EXTEND THE COORDINATIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE SOUTH COTABATO/COTABATO/SULTAN KUDARAT/ SARANGANI/GENERAL SANTOS CITY (SOCSKSARGEN) AREA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OFFICE (ADPO) FOR THE YEARS 2017 UP TO 2022

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RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE REACTIVATION OF THE GENERAL SANTOS CITY FISH PORT MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE SANGGUNIANG PANGLUNGSOD OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY TO PASS AN ORDINANCE UPGRADING THE FISHERIES SECTION OF THE CITY AGRICULTURE OFFICE TO A DIVISION PROVIDING FOR REINFORCED FUNCTIONS TO SUPPORT FISHERFOKS AND FISHERIES RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY FISH LANDING CENTER (CFLC) PROJECT OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES AWARDED TO THE CITY OF GENERAL SANTOS

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THE USAID OCEANS AND FISHERIES PARTNERSHIP Strengthening regional cooperation to promote sustainable fisheries across Southeast Asia’s diverse marine ecosystems

What if we could trace all of Asia-Pacific’s seafood from bait to plate? The U.S. Agency for International Development is partnering with ASEAN and Coral Triangle member countries to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by enhancing catch documentation and traceability. By tracing seafood from point of catch, through to landing, processing, and distribution, together we can prevent illegal catch, strengthen regional labor and human rights, and preserve Asia-Pacific’s invaluable marine ecosystems.

Did you know? • In the Philippines, over 450 tons of fish are caught using illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices each year, causing economic losses of up to $620 million each year. • General Santos will serve as one of USAID Ocean’s two pilot learning sites for a new electronic catch documentation system, serving as a model for regional implementation.

Learn more by visiting the USAID Oceans booth, or contact:

Melinda Donnelly, Communications and Outreach Specialist Melinda.Donnelly@oceans-partnership.org

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The USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership: Collaborating to Strengthen Sustainability in the Sulu-Sulawesi Strengthening regional cooperation to promote sustainable fisheries across Southeast Asia’s diverse marine ecosystems. GENERAL SANTOS CITY, tuna capital of the Philippines, is central to the tuna fishing industry. Located in a major tuna migration corridor and situated in Sarangani Bay facing the Celebes Sea, the General Santos fishing port has boosted the fishing industry in the city—and the region—as its tuna is exported across the region and around the globe. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, however, is threatening Asia-Pacific’s fisheries, with impacts to the economy, fishery productivity, marine biodiversity, and human welfare. There is a growing concern that impacts to the biodiversity of natural and fisheries resources may eventually lead to unwanted consequences, affecting not only the local area but wider areas of regional and global concern. As such, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans) was developed and is engaging with the Philippines and other Asia-Pacific nations to combat IUU to avoid further damage to the environment and marine resources. The USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership USAID Oceans was launched in 2015 and is a collaboration between USAID, the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Education Center (SEAFDEC), the Coral Triangle Initiative for Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security (CTI-CFF), and ASEAN and CTI-CFF member countries. The Partnership works to strengthen regional cooperation to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, promote sustainable fisheries, and conserve marine biodiversity in the Asia-Pacific region by improving catch documentation and traceability (CDT). Through the development of an electronic CDT system, USAID Oceans will support ASEAN and Coral Triangle countries to enhance traceability, improve fisheries management, comply with seafood export regulations, and improve critical human welfare issues. Enhancing Traceability: From Bait to Plate Catch documentation helps to improve traceability and establish a chain of custody for seafood. Collecting data on the catch type, place of harvest, method of fishing, and other critical data that follows seafood from its point of catch all the way to its point of final shipping helps local officials, importers, regional governments, and fisheries management experts to collect data to better ensure seafood has been legally, responsibly, and sustainably sourced. The impact of this data extends beyond the development of data sets, with tremendous opportunity to improve fisheries management plans, enable improved and informed policy and governance decisions, improve trade, and address critical human welfare issues in the region, such as labor abuses, human trafficking, and gender inequalities. Partnering for Change USAID Oceans and the Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources have developed a partnership, preparing to make the Philippines one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to implement the USAID Oceans CDT system. General Santos City will serve as a one of two USAID Oceans Learning Sites, where the system will be designed, implemented, and tested among local fishing vessels. USAID Oceans and the Philippines will work together, along with a sister Learning Site in Bitung, Indonesia, to develop a fully tested catch documentation system that can be expanded throughout the Asia-Pacific region. In addition to establishing a traceability system that will reduce IUU fishing, improve fishery sustainability, and maintain marine species and

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habitats, USAID Oceans and the Philippines will also work together to use traceability data and conduct critical research to establish a fisheries management plan that considers all ecosystem factors to ensure sustainable management and productivity. Extending Beyond the Environment and Economics The human impact of IUU fishing extends beyond regional economies and trade. Southeast Asia’s fisheries support the livelihood of over 200 million individuals in the region. In addition to providing income and food security, human welfare concerns and labor rights abuses are a major issue in the fisheries industry. Together, USAID Oceans and the Philippines will work to collect key labor data from the CDT system, design workshops and trainings that focus on gender equality and labor rights, and serve as an advocate in the region for raising awareness and recommending policies that support fair labor conditions and combat human trafficking and labor abuse.

FROM BAIT TO PLATE Tracing Seafood through the Supply Chain with Catch Documentation

The data gathered through a traceability system helps ensure & verify that seafood is legally & sustainably caught

Harvest / Capture

Port / Landing

Traceability helps answer the question of “who, what, where, when and how” your seafood was caught, processed & transported before it reaches your plate

FISH FISH

FISH

Logistics FISH

Processing

Distribution / Transport

Through traceability, we are better able to combat illegal, unreported & unregulated fishing, promote sustainable fisheries & conserve precious marine biodiversity

Wholesale / Retail Market

For more information visit the USAID Oceans exhibit booth, or contact: Melinda Donnelly, Communications and Outreach Specialist The USAID Oceans and Fisheries Partnership Melinda.Donnelly@oceans-partnership.org

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Group Seine Operations of Philippine Flagged Vessels in High Seas Pocket 1 (HSP1) Introduction

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ELEVENTH REGULAR SESSION

Bali, Indonesia 3-11 August 2016

Rafael V.Ramiscal, Alma C. Dickson, Isidro Tanangonan, Marlo Demo-os, and Jeric Jara National Marine Fisheries Development Center (NMFDC) Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) PCA Bldg., Elliptical Road, Quezon City, Philippines

References Dela Cruz William. Observer Trip Report. 2010 FAO 240.Rules and Regulations in the Implementation of Fisheries Observer in the High Seas FAO 241.Regulations and Implementation of the Vessel Monitoring System in the High Seas FAO 245.Regulations and Implementing Guidelines on Group Tuna Purse Seine Operation in High Seas Pocket 1 as a Special Management Area Observer Program Operations Manual for Ringnet/Purse Seine WCPFC CMM 2011-01.Conservation and Management Measure for Temporary Extension of CMM 2008-01 WCPFC CMM 2013-01.Conservation and Management Measure Bigeye , Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Ramiscal, R., A.Dickson, I.Tanangonan, J. Jara and M.Demoos. Preliminary report on the catch of Philippine group seine operations in high seas pocket 1-special management are (HSP1-SMA). WCPFC-SC10-2014/ST-WP-05. Ramiscal, R. A.Dickson, W.de la Cruz, I.Tanangonan, M.Demoos and J.Dickson. Analysis of purse seine/ring net operations in Philippine EEZ. WCPFC-SC10-2014/ST-WP-06. Philippine Annual Report to the Commission for 2014. Part 1: Information on fisheries, research and statistics.

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High Seas Pocket No. 1 (HSP1) was closed to purse seine fishing for 2 years effective January 1, 2010 as a result of the implementation of Conservation and Management Measure 2008-01 (CMM 2008-01) adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The CMM is intended to reduce fishing mortality of bigeye and yellowfin tunas. HSP1 is bounded by the exclusive economic zones or EEZs of Federal States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau,Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. In March 2012, the 8th Regular Session of the WCPFC adopted CMM 201101 as a temporary extension of CMM 2008-01 and giving access to Philippine traditional fresh/ice chilled seining vessels operating as a group in HSP1 until February 2013. Subsequently, CMM 2012-01 provided the measures for this fleet in the high seas until February 2014 and CMM 2013-01 for 2014-2017. The measures involved several conditions including access limit to 36 catcher fishing vessels, mandatory use of automatic location communicator (ALC) and regional observer onboard. Consequently, Fisheries Administrative Order 245 (FAO 245, 245-1 and 245-2) was issued by the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to prescribe regulations and implementing guidelines on the operations of 36 fishing vessels in HSP1. In addition, Fisheries Administrative Order 240 (FAO 240) was adopted for the implementation of the National Fisheries Observer Program (NFOP) covering high seas. Further, Fisheries Administrative Order no. 241 (FAO 241) was issued to strengthen VMS operations in the high seas. This paper was based from the reports of Observers, covering the catch of 35 vessels that were able to conduct fishing in HSP1. The fleet opted to operate only for 9 months (January-June; October-December) in adherence to paragraph 14 of CMM 2014-01.

Methods A. Catch Estimation

Observers total catch estimates were derived from two methods. The main procedure was made by counting and estimating the capacity of brails as fish catch was transferred from the bunt to wells or fish holds of awaiting carriers. The other method was based on capacity and fullness of wells/fish holds. Catch rate was estimated as kg/fishing day . In general, only one set was made in one fishing day. In the brail count / capacity method, total catch was estimated using the following method : Volume (V) = π r 2 h Brail capacity = Volume x 80% Where; π = 3.14 h= Brail height r = Brail diameter (d)/ 2

Gearing Up for the Future”

The volume of fish catch was estimated at 80% of the volume of the brail to account empty/water space. By using this method, a margin of +/- 2% error was observed (dela Cruz, 2010).

B. Catch Sampling

Spill Sampling and occasional In 2015, almost all sampling was shifted to Spill sampling using the sampling bin specified by SPC. It has a capacity of around 300-500 kilograms depending on the size and species of fish caught. Occasionally, some observers still used the Random procedure. Samples were collected using tubs as the brail was emptied into the well or scooping the fish from fish holds/wells. Further sub-sampling procedures was conducted when necessary. Around 3-5 tubs were used as the final samples with an average of 278 individuals per set. Samples were sorted according to species whenever possible and weighed to the nearest 0.1 kg. The lengths of all tunas and mackerel scad from the sample were measured to nearest cm (fork length for tuna and large pelagic species and total length for mackerel scad). The large size tunas, billfish and other species that were separated as brails were emptied into the wells. These were weighed and measured separately.

C. Species identification

Species identification was done by Observers based on available identification guides. Special attention was given on the distinctive characteristics of small size yellowfin and bigeye tunas.

Results A. Catch and fishing effort

The group seine fleets that were able to fish in HSP1 in 2015 were composed of 31 purse seine and 4 ringnet catcher vessels. The fleet opted to operate only 9 months (JanuaryJune; October-December) in accordance to paragraph 14 of CMM 2015-01. Overall, the 35 vessels spent a total of 7,054 days in HSP1 and actual 2,435 fishing days, or just about one (1) fishing day for every 2.9 days spent by each vessel in the HSP1. FAO 245 which provides regulation and guidelines for the operation of Philippine group seine operation set the annual catch limit not to exceed an equivalent of 9,846 fishing days for the 36 vessels, or corresponding to 273.5 fishing days per vessel. In addition, of the total 2,435 fishing days, only 2,340 sets were successful or an efficiency rate of 96%. Unsuccessful fishing days were caused by damaged gear, machinery malfunction, unfavourable sea condition and other factors that resulted to no catch retained whole weight. Table 1...Summary catchand and effort effortof Philippine group seine operation in HSP1, Table 1. ofofcatch effort effortof Philippine group seine operation in HSP1, 20152015 Table 1.Summary Summary of catch and effort of Philippine group seine operation in HSP1, 2015

Month Month JAN JAN FEB FEB MAR MAR APR APR MAY MAY JUN JUN OCT OCT NOV NOV DEC

DEC

TOTAL

Catch CatchCatch Catch rate rate No. Total No.ofof Days Days@@ Fishing Fishing Total rate rate (t/HSP1 (t/HSP1 Set/HSP1 Set/HSP1catch (t) Catchers days Catchers HSP1 HSP1 days catch (t) (t/set) day) days (t/set) day) days 30 936 229 4.09 1,603 7.00 7.00 1.71 1.71 30 936 229 4.09 1,603 27 769 160 4.81 912912 5.70 5.70 1.19 1.19 27 769 160 4.81 26 849 246 2.45 1,961 2.31 2.31 26 849 246 2.45 1,961 7.977.97 27 810 352 2.30 3,464 9.84 9.84 4.28 4.28 27 810 352 2.30 3,464 29 890 378 2.35 3,334 8.82 3.75 29 890 378 2.35 3,334 8.82 3.75 28 671 271 2.48 2,977 10.99 4.44 28 671 271 2.48 2,977 10.99 4.44 20 554 203 2.73 3,604 17.75 6.51 20 554 203 2.73 3,604 17.75 6.51 25 750 317 2.37 4,455 14.05 5.94 25 750 317 2.37 4,455 14.05 5.94 27 825 279 2.96 4,201 15.06 5.09 27

825

7,054

279

2,435

2.90

2.96

2.90

4,201

26,510

10.89

15.06

10.89

3.76

5.09

3.76

D. Analysis

Data were analyzed using descriptive presentation of data using Microsoft Excel to illustrate a general status of operation in HSP1. These include species composition, Effort, CPUE and length frequency. Information on the number of days the vessels stayed at HSP1 was based VMS data on time/date of entry and exit from HSP1.

Figure 1. Catch and effort of Philippine group seine operations in HSP1, 201 2015

Figure 1. Catch and effort of Philippine group seine operations in HDP1, 2015 B. Catch and species composition Figure 1. Catch and effort of Philippine group seine operations in HSP1, 201 2015

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B. species 1 tons 8 ofcomposition Nfish a twas i o caught n a l TinuHSP1 n a forC o2015, n g translating r e s s to a 510 201 ACatch total ofand 26,510 catch-per-unit unit effort of of10.89 tons/vessel/fishing day or 3.76 tons/vessel/day in HSP1. A The bulk the catch composed of skipjack (59.83 59.83%) yellowfin to a 510 tonswas of fish was caught in HSP1 for 2015, 201andtranslating total ofof 26,510 (28.87%). Bigeye wasof at 3. 3.73% while the remaining 7.56% wastons/vessel/day comprised of in catch-per-unit unit effort of10.89 tons/vessel/fishing day or%3.76 other including mackerel kawakawa, frigate and bullet HSP1. species The bulk of the catch was scad, composed of skipjack (59.83 59.83%) and tuna, yellowfin th

Table 2.. Catch of major species by month

Month

SKJ

YFT

BET

OTHERS

TOTAL

JAN 349.85 17.83 342.82 1,602.57 Group Seine Operations of Philippine FlaggedVessels in High Seas Pocket 1 (HSP1) 892.08 Sharks and other species of special interest were also occasionally caught FEB 09.52 including 233.82 10.86and 1giant 9,12.42 during the5,09.52 operation, 10 sharks, 7 dolphins giant158.22 manta ray. ray MAR 1,042.24 042.24 505.76 Table of 2.. Catch major species by month Table 2. Catch majorofspecies by month

B. Catch and species composition

A total of 26,510 tons of fish was caught in HSP1 APR for 2015, translating to a catch-per-unit effort of 10.89 tons/vessel/fishing day or 3.76 tons/ MAY vessel/day in HSP1. The bulk of the catch was JUN composed of skipjack (59.83%) and yellowfin (28.87%). Bigeye was at 3.73% while the remaining OCT 7.56% was comprised of other species including NOV mackerel scad, kawakawa, frigate and bullet tuna, DEC bigeyed scad, dolphin fish and triggerfish (Table 2, Fig. 1). TOTAL

Month JAN

3,Table 3). Yellowfin Tuna and Bigeye Tuna on the other hand forms same 2 modes at 30 and 40 cm and another one at 55 and 54 cm. respectively.The average size of the YFT and BETwas smallest at

1,874.35 874.35

882.70

2,017.59 017.59

15,862.04 862.04

829.55 1,325.11

1,326.72

1,188.45

7,653.47

17.83

342.82

1,602.57

82.79

330.01

1,960.80

120.74

10.86

118.38

184.20 203.52 120.74 127.55 118.38

123.53

184.20

989.40

275.37

158.22

101.58

9,12.42

213.60 3,463.51 339.24 275.37 161.45 3,333.67 101.58 213.60

82.91

2,005.20 005.20

2,977.01 3,603.84

3,463.51 3,333.67 2,977.01 3,603.84 4,455.15 4,201.14

26,510.10

NOV trend starting 2,841.04 841.04from January 1,325.11 to December. 127.55 Skipjack 161.45 4,455.152 upward tuna indicated modal peaks at 30 and 52 cm (Fig 3, Table 3).Yellowfin Tuna and Bigeye Tuna on DEC 2,667.98 667.98 1,326.72 123.53 82.91 4,201.14 the other hand forms same 2 modes at 30 and 40 cm and another one at 55 and TOTAL 15,862.04 862.04 7,653.47 989.40 2,005.20 005.20 26,510.10 54 cm. respectively.The average size of the YFT and BETwas smallest at under 32 and 37 cm in March respectively whileSKJ found to be smallest in January (Fig 4). OTHERS BET with In contrast fish caught within Philippine EEZ during the same period, 7.56% the lengths3.73% for the 3 tuna species were relatively smaller with modal lengths OTHERS BET 7.56% of 27.46 cm, 28.84 cm and 24.76cm respectively at24-40 cm and average lengths 3.73% (Fig 5, Table 4). YFT

Table 3. Average length28.87% of SKJ, YFT, BET and MSD caught in HSP1

SKJ SKJ 59.83%

59.83%

Species SKJ YFT BET n 429,659 120,528 11,470 Ave (cm) 35.04 42.03 43.86 Min (cm) 11 13 16 Max (cm) 97 132 130 Mode(cm) 30,52group seine 30,40,55 Figure 2. Catch composition of Philippine in HSP1, 2015 30,40,54 Thousands

SKJ

YFT

SKJ

YFT

BET MSD 114,396 OTHERS OTHERS 23.73 8 51 21 BET

Figure 2. Catch composition of Philippine ippine group seine in HSP1, 2015

Size composition

at24-40 cm and average lengths of 27.46 cm, 28.84 cm and 24.76cm respectively (Fig 5, Table 4).

D. Catch variation by depth of net

Table 3 illustrates the length frequency of SKJ, YFT and BETindicating

Size composition average length of 35 5 cm, 42 cm and 43 cm respectively. All species showsshows an 20

upward trend starting from January to December. Skipjack tuna indicated BET 2 modal peaks at 30 and 52 cm (Fig 3, Table 3).Yellowfin Tuna and Bigeye Tuna on 15 MSD Table 3 illustrates the length frequency of SKJ, YFT and BETindicating the other hand forms same 2 modes at 30 and 40 cm and another one at 55 and SKJshowsaverage10length of 35 5 cm, 42 cm and 43 cm respectively. All species shows an 54 cm. respectively.The average size of the YFT and BETwas smallest at under 32 YFT and 37 cm in March respectively whileSKJ found to be smallest in January (Fig 4). 5

In contrast with fish caught within Philippine EEZ during the same period, 0 the lengths for the 3 tuna species were relatively smaller with modal lengths at24-40 cm and average lengths of 27.46 cm, 28.84 cm and 24.76cm respectively FL(cm) (Fig 5, Table 4). 8 14 19 24 29 34 39 44 49 54 59 64 69 74 79 84 89 94 99 104 109 114 120 132

species were relatively smaller with modal lengths

during the same period, the lengths for the 3 tuna

Initial analysis on the variation of catch with depth Figure 3. Size composition of SKJ, YFT, BET and MSD caught in HSP1 of net was made. The actual stretched depths of Figure 3. Size composition of SKJ, YFT, BET and MSD caught in HSP1 length of SKJ, YFT,ofBET MSD caught in HSP1 nets were measured during inspections as Table a 3. Average Table 3. Average length SKJ,and YFT, BET and MSD caught in HSP1 condition to their license to fish in HSP1. Depth of Species SKJ YFT BET nets ranged from 100-160 fathoms (Table6) and n 429,659 120,528 11,470 Ave (cm) 35.04 42.03 43.86 were classed by 20 fathoms, in particular 141Min (cm) 11 13 16 160, 121-140, 100-120 fathoms. The distribution Max (cm) Mode(cm)

Thousands

of observations by depth class is shown in Table 6.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Philippine Tuna:

1,960.80

Figure 2. Catch composition of Philippine ippine group seine in HSP1, 2015

In contrast with fish caught within Philippine EEZ

42 |

330.01

BET TOTAL 203.52 OTHERS 339.24

505.76

1,188.45 1011.53

2,667.98 667.98

YFT 28.87%

under 32 and 37 cm in March respectively while SKJ found to be smallest in January (Fig 4).

233.82

2,017.59 017.59 1,909.22 909.22

2,108.01 108.01 2,841.04 841.04

JUN

C. Size composition

tuna indicated 2 modal peaks at 30 and 52 cm (Fig

1,042.24 042.24

MAY

Table 3 illustrates the length distribution of SKJ,

trend starting from January to December. Skipjack

882.70

829.55

5,09.52 09.52

APR

ray.

43cm respectively. All species shows an upward

1,874.35 874.35

349.85

2,108.01 108.01

MAR

Sharks and other species of special interest were also occasionally caught during the operation, including 10 sharks, 7 dolphins and 1 giant manta

YFT and BET average lengths at 35cm, 42cm and

YFT 1011.53

892.08

FEB

OCT

SKJ 1,909.22 909.22

82.79

Gearing Up for the Futureâ&#x20AC;? 30 25 20

97 30,52

132 30,40,55

130 30,40,54

MSD 114,396 23.73 8 51 21

Group Seine Operations of Philippine FlaggedVessels in High Seas Pocket 1 (HSP1) Figure 3.. Size composition of SKJ, YFT, BET and MSD caught in Philippine EEZ (NSAP data, 2015) 201

Catch variation across gear depths is shown in Fig. 6, indicating increase on the average catch of BET and YFT with increasing depth of net. It was also observed that largest nets had the lowest MSD catch.

Table5.Comparative 4.. Range and size of SKJ, YFT, BETand andPhilippine MSD caught in Catch Philippine EEZ (NSAP data, 2015) 201 Table Summary of HSP1 EEZ in 2015

Table 4. Range and size of SKJ, BET, and MSD caught in Philippine EEZ (NSAP data, 2015)

Attempt was made to determine decrease of BET catch by depth of net class by forecasting (linear regression) indicating decrease of D. about 18%-70% for every 20 fathoms decrease in net depth.

Catch variation by depth of net

HSP1 BET Average Size 1880 33.56 24.76 36.70 14 42.17 76 24.55 25

PHIL EEZ AverageMSD Size 87,407 27.46 22.48 28.84 8 24.76 44 22.48 23

Species Composition Size Composition Size actual stretched depths of nets were measured duringAverage inspections asAverage a condition

SKJ

67.65%

38.70%

33.56

27.46

9.74%

39.00%

24.55

22.48

toYFT their license to fish in19.36% HSP1. Depth of19.76% nets ranged from 100-160 fathoms 36.70 28.84

50.00 50.00

BET 2.53% 42.17 121-140,24.76 (Table6) and were classed3.26% by 20 fathoms, in particular 141-160, 100MSD(OTHERS)

40.00 40.00 30.00 30.00

SKJ SKJ YFT YFT

20.00 20.00

BET BET

10.00 10.00

MSD MSD

0.00 0.00

Species

PHIL EEZ Catch Composition

HSP1 Average Size

SKJ 67.65% 33.56 Month38.70% Month YFT4. Average size of SKJ,19.36% 19.76% Figure YFT, BET and MSD caught in HSP136.70 BET 3.26% 2.53% 42.17 Figure4.4. Average sizeof ofSKJ, SKJ,YFT, YFT,BET BETand and MSD caught caught in in HSP1 HSP1 Figure . .Average size MSD MSD(OTHERS) 9.74% 39.00% 24.55

Catch variation by depth of net

Catch variation across gear depths is shown in Fig. 6, indicating increase

on theCatch average catch ofbyBET andofYFT D. variation depth netwith increasing depth of net. It was also Table 6.Number of observations by depth of net (class). Table 6.Number observations depth net (class). observed thatoflargest netsby had theoflowest MSD catch.

Initial analysis on(Class) the variation of catch with depth Depth of net No.of ofnet setswas made. The Attemptdepths was made determine decrease of BET depth of net 100-120 1,320catch actual stretched of netstowere measured during inspections as aby condition 121-140 971 100-160 class forecasting regression) of about 18%-70% to theirbylicense to fish(linear in HSP1. Depth of indicating nets rangeddecrease from fathoms 141-160 144 (Table6) classed by 20 in fathoms, in particular 141-160, 121-140, 100for everyand 20 were fathoms decrease net depth. Grand Total

Table 5.Comparative Summary of HSP1 and Philippine EEZ Catch in 2015

HSP1 Catch Composition

120 fathoms. The distribution of observations by depth class is shown in Table

PHIL EEZ Average Size

27.46 28.84 24.76 22.48

Initial analysis on the variation of catch with depth of net was made. The

actual stretched depths of nets were measured during inspections as a condition

to their license to fish in HSP1. Depth of nets ranged from 100-160 fathoms IV. (Table6) and were classed by 20 fathoms, in particular 141-160, 121-140, 100-

120 fathoms. The distribution of observations by depth class is shown in Table 6.

Table 6.Number of observations by depth of net (class).

2435

120 fathoms. The distribution of observations by depth class is shown in Table 6.

Table6.Number BETcatch catch reductionby by linearof regression (forecast) Table 7.7.BET reduction regression (forecast) Table of observations bylinear depth net (class).

Depth of net (Class) Average catch

Net depth range 100-120 20 141-160121-140 121-140141-160 15 100-120 Grand Total

mT/set

Average Length(cm) Length(cm) Average

PHIL EEZ Catch YFT Composition 19,713 38.70% 28.84 19.76% 132.53% 128 39.00% 24,40

Table 5.ComparativeSummary Summary of HSP1 Philippine EEZin Catch Table 5.Comparative of HSP1 and and Philippine EEZ Catch 2015in 2015 Initial analysis on theCatch variation ofEEZ catch with depth ofHSP1 net was made. The HSP1 PHIL Catch PHIL EEZ

60.00 60.00

HSP1 Catch SKJ Composition 79,398 67.65% 27.46 19.36% 13 3.26% 91 9.74% 24,40

Species Species n SKJ Ave (cm) YFT Min (cm) BET Max (cm) MSD(OTHERS) Mode (cm

(t/set) 1.394 0.412 0.334

Summary / Recommendations 5 25

Summary / Recommendations

No. of sets % BET Decrease 1,320 971 70.41% 144 Average of SKJ_catch 18.92% 2435

Average of YFT_catch Average of BET_catch Average of MSD_catch Average of TOT_ catch

1. The catch in 2015 of the Philippine group seine fleet in HSP1 totalled26,510 tons 0 of which 24,505mt were 121-140 SKJ, YFT and141-160 BET or comprised about 11% of 20 1. The100-120 catch in 2015 of were the caught Philippine group EEZ. theproduction of these tuna species that within Philippine mT/set

Net Depth Class seine fleet in HSP1 totalled 26,510 tons ofAverage which 15 of SKJ_catch Depth of net (Class) No. of sets 24,505mt were SKJ, YFT and BET or comprised Average of YFT_catch 2. The average catch was catch-per-unit effort of 10.89 tons/vessel/fishing day or 100-120 1,320 Figure 6. Average10 catch by species by net depth 11% of intheproduction of these tuna species 3.76about tons/vessel/day HSP1. Average of BET_catch 121-140 971 141-160 144 that were caught within Philippine EEZ. Average of MSD_catch 5 Grand 2435 (NSAP data, 2015) Figure 5. Size Composition ofTotal SKJ, YFT, BET and MSD 3. The average length of SKJ, YFT and BET caught in HSP1 were relatively bigger Figure 3.. Size composition of SKJ, YFT, BET and MSDcaught caughtininPhilippine PhilippineEEZ EEZ (NSAP data, 2015) 201 Average of TOT_ catch Figure 3.. Size composition of SKJ, YFT, BET and MSD caught in Philippine EEZ (NSAP data, 2015) 201

catch-per-unit effort 100-120 121-140 141-160 of 10.89 tons/vessel/fishing day or 3.76 tons/ MSD 4. Reduction of net depth to reduce the catch of BET should be evaluated and MSD vessel/day in HSP1. Net Depth Class 87,407

Table 4.. Range and size of SKJ, YFT, BET and MSD caught in Philippine EEZ (NSAP data, 2015) 201 Table 4.. Range and size of SKJ, YFT, BET and MSD caught in Philippine EEZ (NSAP data, 2015) 201

mT/set

Species 25 Species n n Ave (cm) Ave (cm) 20 Min (cm) Min (cm) Max (cm) Max (cm) Mode15 (cm Mode (cm

SKJ SKJ 79,398 79,398 27.46 27.46 13 13 91 91 24,40 24,40

YFT YFT 19,713 19,713 28.84 28.84 13 13 128 128 24,40 24,40

5 0 100-120

121-140 Net Depth Class

Figure 6. Average catch by species by net depth

141-160

than2.The tunas caught from Philippine average catch EEZ. was 0

BET BET 1880 considered as an alternative measure to reduce BET and YFT catch 1880 87,407 24.76 22.48 24.76 22.48 fishery. 14 8 14 8 Figure 76 44 6. Average catch by species by net depth 76 44 25 Average of SKJ_catch 23 25 23

in purse seine

3. The average length of SKJ, YFT and BET caught in HSP1 were relatively bigger than tunas caught Average of YFT_catch from Philippine EEZ. Average of BET_catch V. References Average of MSD_catch 4. Reduction of net depth to reduce the catch of Average of TOT_ catch BET should Dela Cruz William. Observerbe Tripevaluated Report. 2010and considered as an alternative measure to reduce BET and YFT catch FAO 240.Rules and Regulations in the Implementation of Fisheries Observer in the High in purse seine fishery. Seas

1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

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We find ways

44 |

“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

| 45

Relative abundance of skipjack for the purse seine fishery operating in the Philippines Moro Gulf (Region 12) and High Seas Pocket #1 Abstract

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ELEVENTH REGULAR SESSION

Bali, Indonesia 3-11 August 2016

Keith Bigelow, Elaine Garvilles and Noel Barut PIFSC Working Paper WP-16-004. Issued 17 July 2016. NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, BFAR, Philippines

References Bigelow, K., Garvilles, E. and N. Barut. 2014. Relative abundance of skipjack and yellowfin in the Moro Gulf (Philippine Region 12). WCPFC- SC10-2014/SA-WP-09, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 6–14 August 2014. Rice, J., Harley, S., Davies, N. and J. Hampton 2014. . Stock assessment of skipjack tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean. WCPFC- SC10-2014/SA-WP-05, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 6–14 August 2014. SPC‐OFP. 2016a. Report from the 2016 pre‐assessment workshop. WCPFC-SC12‐SA‐IP‐01, Bali, Indonesia, 3–11 August 2016. SPC-OFP. 2016b. SPC Assessment of skipjack tuna in the WCPO. WCPFC-SC12‐SA‐WP‐04, Bali, Indonesia, 3–11 August 2016.

Port sampling data were used to estimate effort, catch, CPUE, standardized CPUE and species composition from the purse seine fishery operating in the southern Philippines (Region 12, SOCCSKSARGEN) and High Seas Pocket #1. A quarterly standardized CPUE index from 2005 to 2015 was produced for use in the 2016 WCPFC skipjack assessment. Standardized CPUE was estimated by Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) by removing effects due to vessel and fishing ground (area). The index for the 2014 assessment used a GLM that predicted monthly CPUE with year, month and vessel effects. The current index predicted quarterly CPUE with a YR:QTR, Area (fishing ground) and Vessel effects. A combined YR:QTR effect was estimated to be consistent with other fishery CPUE standardization methods used in the assessment. There were 12 Area designations in the database; however, Area was relatively non-informative in the model as fishing trips were dominated by 3 areas.

introduction

Six tuna species dominate Philippine tuna landings, i.e. skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), bigeye tuna (T. obesus), eastern little tuna (Euthynnus affinis), frigate tuna (Auxis thazard) and bullet tuna (A. rochei). The most common gears used by the commercial sector for catching these tuna species are purse seines and ringnets while the municipal fishers use hook-and-line or handline. All these gears are operated jointly with fish aggregating devices (FAD), known as payao in the Philippines. Skipjack and yellowfin are found throughout the year in all Philippine waters but are abundant in Moro Gulf, Sulu Sea and Sulawesi Sea off Mindanao Island. Large landings of these species occur in General Santos City and Zamboanga City where eight tuna canneries are located. The objective of this study was to use port sampling data to estimate effort, catch, CPUE, standardized CPUE and species composition from the purse seine fishery operating in the southern Philippines (Region 12, SOCCSKSARGEN) and High Seas Pocket #1. A ringnet fishery also captures skipjack tuna in the southern Philippines (Region 12, SOCCSKSARGEN) and High Seas Pocket #1. A standardized index was developed for skipjack in the ringnet fishery; however, the index is not presented in this study as it was decided at the pre-assessment workshop (SPC-OFP 2016a) that the Philippine purse seine index was more informative for the skipjack assessment in the WCPFConvention Area.

methods

National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) protocols, sampling coverage rates, raising factors for catch and effort and quality control Analyses on fishery performance and relative abundance were based upon NSAP data collected at the Fishport Complex in General Santos City. The Fishport is the major tuna landing site in Mindanao for handline, purse seine and ringnet fisheries. Port sampling data collection prior to 2013 followed a NSAP protocol where sampling was conducted every third day

regardless if the sampling day was on the weekend or a holiday. With Philippine purse seiners gaining access to High Seas Pocket #1 in 2013, the sampling protocol was altered to monitor all (100%) unloadings from vessel activity in High Seas Pocket #1 even if landings occur on a non-sampling day. Therefore the overall coverage of sampling days per month is ~ 33% prior to 2013 and increased to 48%, 58% and 51% during 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Sampling occurred where possible on all fishing boats (e.g. handline, purse seine, ringnet, gillnet) that unloaded their catch. Data were recorded on NSAP forms which include the following information based on each fishing trip:

46 |

“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

A. Year B. Month C. Name of fishing ground D. Region E. Landing Center F. Date of Sampling G. Gear H. Vessel name I. No. of fishing days (time) of the actual fishing operation J. Total catch by the vessel (no. of boxes/bañeras or weight) K. Sample weight of the catch L. Catch composition weight by species (scientific names) M. Name and signature of the NSAP samplers/enumerators

and then with sequential addition of other explanatory variables. Model selection was based on the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC).Relative abundance of each species was calculated from the GLM results using the ‘predict.glm’ routine by exponentiating YR:QTR while constraining other effects (Area and Vessel) to a single value. The GLM trends are normalized to facilitate comparison, such that the mean of the entire series is a value of 1.0. The standardized CPUE for the Philippines purse seine fishery (Bigelow et al. 2014) used in the 2014 assessment (Rice et al. 2014) used a GLM that had separate YR and Month effects as:

Leaders to the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) office. Monthly port sampling reports are entered and managed in the NSAP Database System. Two types of data were extracted from the NSAP Database (version 5.1): 1) sampling of each vessel, hereafter referred to as ‘trip sample’ and 2) raised estimates for each month for trips, effort (days) and catch by species, hereafter referred to a ‘raised monthly estimates’.

The YR and Month effects were predicted and these effects were averaged for each quarter to correspond to the temporal resolution of the 2014 assessment (Rice et al. 2014).

Raised estimates are based on the sampling coverage which is defined as the coverage of unloaded vessels on days that were sampled (i.e. the proportion of sampled vessels unloaded catch to the total unloaded catch for days that were sampled) and the coverage of the sampling days in the month.

Purse seine fishery trends – effort, catch and nominal CPUE Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) comprised the majority (~ 58.2%) of the purse seine catch from 2005 to 2012.

The NSAP sampling was initiated in 1997, though sampling was sparse for several years. Analyses considered purse seine from 2005–2015. With WPEA-OFMP funding, sampling of unloaded vessels to total vessels has especially improved since 2010. Overall coverage was 6.5% during 2005–2009, 11.9% during 2010–2012 and 42.4% during 2013–2015. Vessel name entries in the NSAP database were particularly problematic due to multiple spellings for a unique vessel. Quality control for purse seine vessels consisted of consolidating obvious multiple spellings to a single vessel assignment, which consequently reduced the number of purse seine vessels in the database from 301 to 250.

Statistical methods to estimate species relative abundance Statistical methods are used to estimate ‘relative abundance’ or ‘standardized CPUE’ by removing effects due to vessel and fishing area. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used to estimate relative abundance. The GLM predicts mean catch (μi) using three categorical variables with a log link as follows:

where YR:QTR is the mean local abundance or quarter effect, Area is the area effect, Vessel is the vessel effect (vessel name) and offset Effort is the number of days during the fishing trip. Since a species may have instances of zero catch per quarter, a GLM with a negative binomial distribution was used to accommodate zero observations. The GLMs were fit in R (R Development Core Team, 2016, version 3.3.0 for Linux) with a MASS library. GLMs were initially fit with the YR:QTR effect

The current use of a combined YR:QTR effect was estimated to be consistent with other fishery CPUE standardization methods used in the 2016 assessment (SPC-OFP 2016b).

results & conclusions

The remainder of the catch was composed of yellowfin tuna (~ 15.3%), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei, 9.0%), mackerel scad (Decapterus macarellus, 8.9%) frigate tuna (Auxis thazard, 4.5%), bigeye tuna (1.7%) and other species representing < 1% of the catch (Table 1). Monthly trends in raised effort and catch and 5 nominal CPUE for the purse seine fleet based in General Santos City are illustrated in Figures 1–3. There are no estimates for months when sampling did not occur; therefore, gaps exist in the time-series. Purse seine effort averaged ~ 410 boat days per month (Table 2) and generally ranged from 100 to 1,500 days (Figure 1). Effort during 2005 to 2009 was slightly higher than effort in 2010 to 2012. There has been an increase in purse seine effort from 2013 to 2015 due to re-opening of High Seas Pocket #1 for a limited number of Philippine flagged purse seine vessels. Purse seine catch of skipjack averaged ~ 2,093 mt per month, and from 2010 to 2012 there was a decline in purse seine catches of skipjack (Figure 2). Skipjack nominal CPUE in the purse seine fishery within a month averaged 4.849 mt per day and (Table 1). The decline in skipjack catch from 2010 to 2012 relates to the low CPUE experienced in the fishery (Figure 3).

Purse seine fishery trends – standardized CPUE Model results of the GLM analysis are provided in Table 3. The highest explanatory ability and lowest BIC were for GLMs with the inclusion of YR:QTR, Area and Vessel effects. There were 12 Area designations in the database; however, Area was relatively noninformative in the model as the trips were dominated by 3 areas. A recommendation from the pre-assessment workshop (SPC-OFP 2016a) was to spatially aggregate some of the sparsely fished areas into 3 main areas: Moro Gulf, International Waters and Mati.

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Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard) 23,544.4 4.5 Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) 8,557.2 1.7 Eastern (Euthynnus affinis) 4,900.2 Table 1.little Catchtuna and species composition (%) estimated by NSAP for the purse seine0.9 fishery (2005–2015) in Region 12 and High Seas Pocket #1 based on BFAR NFRDI0.8 Rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata) 4,246.1 monitoring. Relative abundance of skipjack for the purse seine fishery operating in the Philippines Moro Gulf Mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus) 1,129.0 0.2 Species Catch (mt) Percent (%) Other 1,646.0 0.3 Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) 301,445.7 58.2 Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) 79,481.9 15.3 Total 517,827.8 100.0 Bullet tuna (Auxis rochei) 46,854.8 9.0 Table 2. Mean operational and catch characteristics estimated for the The corresponding GLM results with 3 main areas (not illustrated) Mackerel scad (Decapterus macarellus) 46,022.6 8.9 Table 2. Mean operational and catch characteristics estimated for the purse seine purse seine (1,779 trips) fishery operating in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard) 23,544.4 4.5 were similar to results with all areas. Bigeye tunaSeas (Thunnus obesus) 8,557.2 1.7 raised data from )(1,779 and High Pocket #1 Estimates are based on BFAR trips) fishery operating in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Eastern little tuna (Euthynnus affinis) 4,900.2 0.9 NFRDI monitoring. Pocket #1 Estimates are based on raised data from BFAR NFRDI monitoring. Standardized CPUE trends for the four models are illustrated in Rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata) 4,246.1 0.8 Mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus) 1,129.0 Purse seine0.2 (2005–2015) Figure 4. Trends were consistent among the models from 2005 Other 1,646.0 0.3 Number of trips per month 111 to 2012 and diverged somewhat thereafter. The divergence may Total 517,827.8 100.0 Number of days per month 496 be related to the larger amount of data from port sampling after Table 2. Mean operational and catch characteristics estimated for the purse seine Days per trip 4.1 (1,779 trips) fishery operating in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas 2012. Catch (mt) per month Pocket #1 Estimates are based on raised data from BFAR4,014 NFRDI monitoring. Skipjack catch (mt) per monthPurse seine (2005–2015)2,093 A model based on YR:QTR and Vessel effects was chosen as the Number of trips per month 111 Catch (kgs) per day 7,984 Number of days per month 496 model for inclusion in the 2016 skipjack assessment (ref TBD). Skipjack catch (kgs) per day 4,859 Days per trip 4.1 The model based on YR:QTR, Area and Vessel had a slightly higher Catch (mt) per month 4,014 Skipjack catch (mt) per month 2,093 explanatory ability and the trend after 2012 was slightly more Table Results Catch3. (kgs) per day for Generalized Linear 7,984 Models (GLMs) applied to skipjack tuna positive; however, there is an imbalance in the Area covariate as theSkipjack purse seine fishery inModels Region (GLMs) 12 and applied High Seas Pocket #1. The catch (kgs) perGeneralized day (2005–2015) 4,859 Table 3. Results for Linear to skipjack one area (International Waters) wasn’t declared in the database percent explained ((null deviance-residual deviance)/null deviance). tuna the deviance purse seine fisheryis(2005–2015) in Region 12 and High Seas Table 3. Results for Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) applied to skipjack tuna prior to 2012 and was fished thereafter. Model selection was based on Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC). Pocket #1.seine The percent deviance explained is ((null deviance-residual the purse fishery (2005–2015) in the Region 12 and High Seas Pocket #1. The

The standardized CPUE trend from the 2014 and 2016 assessment is illustrated in Figure 5. The trajectory among trends is similar, though the 2014 trend is smoother and has less variability than the standardized CPUE index in this study because of the different covariates related to time (Year and Month; YR:QTR) estimate by the GLMs.

percent deviancedeviance). explained is ((null deviance-residual deviance). deviance)/null Model selectiondeviance)/null was based on the Bayesian

Model selection was based on the Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC). Information Criteria (BIC). GLM Model Null Residual deviance AIC GLM Model Null deviance Residual deviance AIC BIC deviance YR:QTR 2,221 1,968 39,328 YR:QTR 2,221 1,968 39,328 39,107 YR:QTR+ 1,925 40,526 40,526 YR:QTR+Vessel Vessel 3,0573,0571,925 38,082 YR:QTR+Area Area 2,4362,4361,954 38,940 YR:QTR+ 1,954 39,215 39,215 YR:QTR+ Area+Vessel 3,088 38,090 YR:QTR+ Area+Vessel 3,0881,924 1,924 40,588 40,588

references

BIC

% deviance explained 39,107 11.4 38,082 37.0 19.8 38,940 37.7

38,090

% ex 11 37 19 37

Bigelow, K., Garvilles, E. and N. Barut. 2014. Relative abundance of skipjack and yellowfin in the Moro Gulf (Philippine Region 12). WCPFC- SC102014/SA-WP-09, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 6–14 August 2014.

Rice, J., Harley, S., Davies, N. and J. Hampton 2014. . Stock assessment of skipjack tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean. WCPFC- SC102014/SA-WP-05, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, 6–14 August 2014. SPC‐OFP. 2016a. Report from the 2016 pre‐assessment workshop. WCPFC-SC12‐SA‐IP‐01, Bali, Indonesia, 3–11 August 2016. SPC-OFP. 2016b. SPC Assessment of skipjack tuna in the WCPO. WCPFCSC12‐SA‐WP‐04, Bali, Indonesia, 3–11 August 2016

Figure 1. Raised monthly effort in the Philippine Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Pocket #1 purse seine fishery based on BFAR NFRDI Figure 1. Raised Raised monthly monthly effort effortin inthe thePhilippine PhilippineRegion Region1212(SOCCSKSARGEN (SOCCSKSARGEN) monitoring.

and High Seas Pocket Pocket #1 #1 purse purseseine seinefishery fisherybased basedon onBFAR BFARNFRDI NFRDImonitoring. monitoring

Table 1. Catch and species composition (%) estimated by NSAP for the Table 1. Catch and species composition (%) estimated by NSAP for the purse seine purse seine fishery (2005–2015) in Region 12 and High Seas Pocket #1 fishery (2005–2015) in Region 12 and High Seas Pocket #1 based on BFAR NFRDI based on BFAR NFRDI monitoring.

monitoring. Species Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) Bullet tuna (Auxis rochei) Mackerel scad (Decapterus macarellus) Frigate tuna (Auxis thazard) Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) Eastern little tuna (Euthynnus affinis) Rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata) Mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus) Other Total

Catch (mt) 301,445.7 79,481.9 46,854.8 46,022.6 23,544.4 8,557.2 4,900.2 4,246.1 1,129.0 1,646.0 517,827.8

Percent (%) 58.2 15.3 9.0 8.9 4.5 1.7 0.9 0.8 0.2 0.3 100.0

Figure 2. Raised monthly skipjack tuna catch in the Philippine Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Pocket #1 purse seine fishery basedRegion on Figure 2. monthly Figure 2. Raised Raised monthly skipjack skipjacktuna tunacatch catchininthe thePhilippine Philippine Region1212 BFAR NFRDI monitoring. (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Pocket #1 purse seine fishery based on BFAR

(SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Pocket #1 purse seine fishery based on BFA

Table 2. Mean operational and catch characteristics estimated for the purse seine NFRDI monitoring. NFRDI monitoring. (1,779 trips) fishery operating in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas P hEstimates i l i p p i nare e Tbased u n a on : raised G e a rdata i n g from U p BFAR f o r tNFRDI h e F umonitoring. ture” Pocket “#1 Purse seine (2005–2015) Number of trips per month 111 Number of days per month 496 Days per trip 4.1

48 |

Figure 3. Nominal monthly skipjack tuna CPUE in the Philippine Region 12 Figure 3. Nominal monthly skipjack tuna in the fishery Philippine Region (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Pocket #1CPUE purse seine based on 12 Figure 3. Nominal monthly skipjack CPUE in theseine Philippine 12BFAR (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seastuna Pocket #1 purse fisheryRegion based on BFAR NFRDI monitoring.

(SOCCSKSARGEN NFRDI monitoring. ) and High Seas Pocket #1 purse seine fishery based on BFAR NFRDI monitoring.

Figure Quarterly relative abundance skipjack tuna in the Philippine Region Figure 4.4. Quarterly relative abundance forfor skipjack tuna in the Philippine Figure 4. Quarterly relative abundance for skipjack tuna inseine the Philippine Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Pocket #1#1 purse seine fishery as determined Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Pocket purse fishery 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Pocket #1 purse seine fishery as determined by Generalized Linear Models (GLMs). Each series is normalized to a mean value of as determined by Generalized Linear Models (GLMs). Each series is by Linear Models (GLMs). Each series is normalized to a mean value of 1.0.Generalized normalized to a mean value of 1.0.

1.0.

9 9

Figure Comparison of of Philippine Philippinerelative relativeabundance abundanceindices indices used Figure 5. 5. Comparison used in the 2014 and in2016 the skipjack 2014 and 2016 skipjack assessment for central the western and central assessment for the western and Pacific Ocean. Indices are for Pacific Ocean. Indices are for skipjack tuna in the Philippine Region skipjack tuna in the Philippine Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN ) and High Seas Pocket #1 purse seine fishery as Pocket #1 purse seine fishery as determined by Generalized Linear Models (GLMs). determined by Generalized Linear Models (GLMs). Each series is normalized Each series is normalized to a mean value of 1.0. to a mean value of 1.0.

UNITED CASTINGS FOUNDRY, INC. Pagutlan, Tayud, Liloan Cebu 6002 Tel. Nos.. : 06332-2662858 1 8 th N a t i o n a l Telefax : 06332- 424-6548 Email : ucfi_cbu@yahoo.com

General Santos Branch

TSFI u nCompound a C o n gTalisay, r e s s Tambler | 49 General Santos City Telephone Nos. : 083-301-5718

50 |

“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

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1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

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Indian Ocean Tuna Commission Indian Ocean Tuna Commission HISTORY THE COMMISSION Objectives

To promote cooperation among the Contracting Parties (Members) and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties of the IOTC with a view to ensuring, through appropriate management, the conservation and optimum utilisation of stocks covered by the organization’s establishing Agreement and encouraging sustainable development of fisheries based on such stocks.

Function and Responsibilities

The Commission has four key functions and responsibilities which enable it to achieve its objectives. They are drawn from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and are: •

•

to keep under review the conditions and trends of the stocks and to gather, analyse and disseminate scientific information, catch and effort statistics and other data relevant to the conservation and management of the stocks and to fisheries based on the stocks; to encourage, recommend, and coordinate research and development activities in respect of the stocks and fisheries covered by the IOTC, and such other activities as the Commission may decide appropriate, such as transfer of technology, training and enhancement, having due regard to the need to ensure the equitable participation of Members of the Commission in the fisheries and the special interests and needs of Members in the region that are developing countries;

•

to view the current capacity building activities of the Commission please visit the Capacity Building page;

•

to adopt – on the basis of scientific evidence – Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) to ensure the conservation of the stocks covered by the Agreement and to promote the objective of their optimum utilisation throughout the Area;

•

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to keep under review the economic and social aspects of the fisheries based on the stocks covered by the Agreement bearing in mind, in particular, the interests of developing coastal States.

“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

The IOTC was established in 1993 at the 105th Session of the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under Article XIV of the FAO constitution. As such, the IOTC Members can make decisions concerning the management of tuna and tuna-like resources, and their associated environment, binding on all Members and Cooperating nonContracting Parties. The Agreement was signed on November 25th 1993 and entered into force on the accession of the tenth IOTC Contracting Party, referred as Member, on March 27th 1996. The Financial Regulations of the IOTC were adopted at the organization’s First Special Session, held in Rome on March 21-24, 1997 and the IOTC Rules of Procedure were adopted at the Second Special Session, held in Victoria, Seychelles, on 2225 September, 1997 (and updated in June 2014). Following the decision of the Members at the First Session, the Secretariat was established in Victoria, Republic of Seychelles, and became operation in January 1998.

STRUCTURE OF THE COMMISSION Commission Contracting Parties (Members)

Membership of IOTC is open to Indian Ocean coastal countries and to countries or regional economic integration organizations which are members of the UN or one of its specialized agencies, and are fishing for tuna in the Indian Ocean. There are currently 32 Contracting Parties (Members), the majority of which are Nation States. Country Australia Belize China

Acceptance 13-Nov-96 1-May-07 14-Oct-98

Acceptance 13-Jul-11 27-Dec-94 13-Feb-12

9-Aug-94 27-Oct-95 3-Dec-96 31-Jan-05 13-Mar-95 9-Jul-07

Country Maldives Mauritius Mozambique Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan Philippines Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia Sri Lanka

Comoros

14-Aug-01

Eritrea European Union France Guinea India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Japan Kenya Korea, Republic of Madagascar

28-Jan-02

South Africa

16-Feb-16

26-Jun-96 29-Sep-04 27-Mar-96 10-Jan-96

Sudan Tanzania Thailand United Kingdom

3-Dec-96 18-May-07 17-Mar-97 31-Mar-97

5-Apr-00 27-Apr-95 9-Jan-04 26-Jul-95 1-Jul-08 22-May-14 13-Jun-94

it is necessary to cover such seas for the purpose of conserving and managing stocks that migrate into or out of the Indian Ocean.”

Commission Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties (CNCP)

In addition to being a full Member, States with a real interest AREA & SPECIES Note: The Commission, at its 4th Session in 1999 agreed to in the Indian Ocean fisheries of tuna and tuna-like species can COMPETENCE: modify the western boundary of the IOTC area of competence participate in the IOTC process as a Cooperating Non-Contracting Area of Competence from 30oE to 20oE, thus eliminating the gap between the areas Party (CNCP). This status is granted for a period of one year, upon IOTC covered by IOTC and ICCAT. request from the State. CNCPs are not obliged to pay a financial contribution, but they do not enjoy voting rights on IOTC matters, and they are subject to the same regulations as the full Members. CNCP status is reviewed annually by the Commission. 2015/16 Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties: Country Bangladesh Djibouti Liberia Senegal

CNCP since 2015 2014 2015 2006

Sub-Commissions Sub-commissions may be formed to provide a forum for consultation and cooperation on matters related to the management of stocks that are not shared by all Contracting Parties. In particular, they may examine management options and recommend to the Commission appropriate conservation and management measures. To date, the Contracting Parties have not considered necessary to establish any sub-commission.

Subsidiary Bodies Compliance Committee

The Compliance Committee (CoC) meets annually and monitors the compliance of the IOTC Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties with adopted Conservation and Management Measures (CMM).

Standing Committee on Administration and Finance



The Standing Committee on Administration and Finance (SCAF) meets annually and advises the Commission on administrative and financial matters, in particular the operational budget for the current year and the provisional budget for the ensuing year.

Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee (SC) meets annually and provides advice to the Commission on the status of stocks and the management actions necessary to ensure sustainability of the fishery.

COMPETENCE: AREA & SPECIES

IOTC Area of Competence

“The area of competence of the Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Area”) shall be the Indian Ocean (defined for the purpose of this Agreement as being FAO statistical areas 51 and 57 as shown on the map set out in Annex A to this Agreement) and adjacent seas, north of the Antarctic Convergence, insofar as

Species under IOTC management

Definition of the IOTC area of competence:

The species listed below are under the management mandate of IOTC. In addition, the Commission’s Secretariat collates data on non-target, associated and dependent species affected by "The area of competence of the Commission (hereinafter referred to as themammals, “Area”) shall be the Indian tuna fishing operations, i.e. marine turtles, marine Ocean (defined for the purpose of this Agreement as being FAO statistical areas 51 and 57 as shown seabirds, sharks and fish species caught incidentally (bycatch).

IOTC Agreement: Article II. AREA OF COMPETENCE

on the map set out in Annex A to this Agreement) and adjacent seas, north of the Antarctic Convergence, insofar as it is necessary to cover such seas for the purpose of conserving FAO and FAO English name FAOorFrench name Scientific name managing stocks that migrate into out of the Indian Ocean." Code

Yellowfin tuna Skipjack Bigeye tuna Albacore tuna Southern Bluefin tuna Longtail tuna Kawakawa Frigate tuna Bullet tuna Narrow barred Spanish Mackerel Indo-Pacific king mackerel Blue Marlin Black Marlin Striped Marlin Indo-Pacific Sailfish Swordfish

Albacore Listao; Bonite à ventre rayé Patudo; Thon obèse Germon Thon rouge du sud Thon mignon Thonine orientale Auxide Bonitou Thazard rayé Thazard ponctué Makaire bleu Makaire noir Marlin rayé Voilier de l’Indo-Pacifique Espadon

Thunnus albacares Katsuwonus pelamis Thunnus obesus Thunnus alalunga Thunnus maccoyii Thunnus tonggol Euthynnus affinis Auxis thazard Auxis rochei Scomberomorus commerson Scomberomorus guttatus Makaira nigricans Makaira indica Tetrapturus audax Istiophorus platypterus Xiphias gladius

YFT SKJ BET ALB SBT LOT KAW FRI BLT COM GUT BUM BLM MLS SFA SWO

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Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

Table 1. Status summary for species of tuna and tuna-like species under the IOTC mandate, as well as other species impacted by IOTC fisheries. IOTC–2015–SC18–R[E] Temperate and tropical tuna stocks: These are the main stocks being targeted by industrial, and to a lesser extent, artisanal fisheries throughout 1. Status summary for species of tuna and tuna-like species under the IOTC mandate, as well as other species impacted by IOTC fisheries. theTable Indian Ocean, on the high seas thetargeted EEZbyofindustrial, coastal Temperate and tropicalboth tuna stocks: These are the mainand stocksin being andstates. to a lesser extent, artisanal fisheries throughout the Indian Ocean, both on the high seas and in the EEZ of coastal states.

Stock Albacore Thunnus alalunga

Bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus

Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis

Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares

Indicators Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): SBMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2012/FMSY (80% CI): SB2012/SBMSY (80% CI): SB2012/SB1950 (80% CI): Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (range): FMSY (range): SBMSY (1,000 t) (range): F2012/FMSY (range): SB2012/SBMSY (range): SB2012/SB1950 (range): Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): SBMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): C2013/CMSY (80% CI): SB2013/SBMSY (80% CI): SB2013/SB1950 (80% CI): Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): SBMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2014/FMSY (80% CI): SB2014/SBMSY (80% CI): SB2014/SB1950 (80% CI):

40,981 t 38,181 t 47.6 (26.7–78.8) 0.31 (0.21–0.42) 39.2 (25.4–50.7) 0.69 (0.23–1.39) 1.09 (0.34–2.20) 0.21 (0.11–0.33) 100,231 t 102,214 t 132 (98–207) n.a. (n.a.–n.a.) 474 (295–677) 0.42 (0.21–0.80) 1.44 (0.87–2.22) 0.40 (0.27–0.54) 432,467 t 402,229 t 684 (550–849) 0.65 (0.51–0.79) 875 (708–1,075) 0.62 (0.49–0.75) 1.59 (1.13–2.14) 0.58 (0.53–0.62) 430,327 t 373,824 t 421 (404–439) 0.165 (0.162–0.168) 1,217 (1,165–1,268) 1.34 (1.02–1.67) 0.66 (0.58–0.74) 0.23 (0.21–0.36)

Prev1

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Advice to the Commission If catch remains below the estimated MSY levels, then immediate management measures are not required. However, continued monitoring and improvement in data collection, reporting and analysis is required to reduce the uncertainty in assessments. Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix VIII

2007

If catch remains below the estimated MSY levels, then immediate management measures are not required. However, continued monitoring and improvement in data collection, reporting and analysis is required to reduce the uncertainty in assessments. Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix IX

2008

94% *

2008

If the Commission wishes to recover the stock to levels above the interim target reference points with 50% probability by 2024, the Scientific Committee recommends that catches be reduced by 20% of current (2014) levels. Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix XI

Billfish: These are the billfish stocks being exploited by industrial and artisanal fisheries throughout the Indian Ocean, both on the high seas and in the EEZ of coastal states. Billfish: These are the billfish stocks being exploited by industrial and artisanal fisheries throughout the Indian Ocean, both on the high seas and in the EEZ of coastal states. The marlins and sailfish are not usually Thetargeted marlins andfleets, sailfish arecaught not usually targeted by most but arefisheries. caughtThey andareretained by the and main industrial are important by most but are and retained as byproduct by thefleets, main industrial importantas forbyproduct localised small-scale artisanal fisheriesfisheries. or as targetsThey in recreational fisheries. for localised small-scale and artisanal fisheries or as targets in recreational fisheries.

IOTC–2015–SC18–R[E]

Page 12 of 175

Stock Swordfish Xiphias gladius

Black marlin Makaira indica

Blue marlin Makaira nigricans

Striped marlin Tetrapturus audax

Indo-Pacific Sailfish Istiophorus platypterus

54 |

Indicators Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): SBMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2013/FMSY (80% CI): SB2013/SBMSY (80% CI): SB2013/SB1950 (80% CI): Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2013/FMSY (80% CI): B2013/BMSY (80% CI): B2013/B1950 (80% CI): Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2011/FMSY (80% CI): B2011/BMSY (80% CI): B2011/B1950 (80% CI): Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2014/FMSY (80% CI): B2014/BMSY (80% CI): B2014/B1950 (80% CI): Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2014/FMSY (80% CI): B2014/BMSY (80% CI): B2014/B1950 (80% CI):

“Philippine Tuna:

34,822 t 28,494 t 39.40 (33.20–45.60) 0.138 (0.137–0.138) 61.4 (51.5–71.4) 0.34 (0.28–0.40) 3.10 (2.44–3.75) 0.74 (0.58–0.89) 14,400 t 11,962 t 10.2 (7.6–13.8) 0.25 (0.08–0.45) 37.8 (14.6–62.3) 1.06 (0.39–1.73) 1.13 (0.73–1.53) 0.57 (0.37–0.76) 14,686 t 13,190 t 11.70 (8.02–12.40) 0.49 (n.a.) 23.70 (n.a.) 0.85 (0.63–1.45) 0.98 (0.57–1.18) 0.48 (n.a.) 4,001 t 4,112 t 5.22 t (5.18–5.59) 0.62 (0.59–1.04) 8.4 t (5.40–8.90) 1.09 (0.62–1.66) 0.65 (0.45–1.17) 0.24 (n.a.–n.a.) 30,674 t 29,143 t 25.00 (17.20–36.30) 0.26 (0.15–0.39) 87.52 (56.30–121.02) 1.05 (0.63–1.63) 1.13 (0.87–1.37) 0.57 (0.44–0.69)

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Advice to the Commission Given current stock status, if catch remains below the estimated MSY levels, then immediate management measures to reduce catch are not required. However, continued monitoring and improvement in data collection and reporting are required to reduce the uncertainty in assessments. Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix XII

2007

A precautionary approach to the management of black marlin should be considered by the Commission, to reduce catches below MSY estimates (~10,000 t), thereby ensuring the stock does not fall below BMSY, and become overfished.Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix XIII

A precautionary approach to the management of blue marlin should be considered by the Commission, to reduce catches below MSY estimates (~11,000 t), thereby ensuring the stock does not remain below BMSY (overfished). Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix XIV

60% *

A precautionary approach to the management of striped marlin should be considered by the Commission. If the Commission wishes to recover the stock to a level above MSY based reference points with 50% probability by 2024, the Scientific Committee recommends that catches should not exceed 4,000 t. Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix XV A precautionary approach to the management of I.P sailfish should be considered by the Commission, to reduce catches below MSY estimates (~25,000 t), thereby ensuring the stock does not fall below BMSY, and become overfished.Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix XVI

Gearing Up for the Future” Page 13 of 175

Indian Ocean Tuna Commission

Bigeye Tuna

Skipjack tuna

Yellowfin tuna

Neritic tunas and mackerel: These six species have become as important or more important as the three tropical tuna species (bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna) to most IOTC coastal states with a total estimated catch of 623,242 t being landed inv 2013. They are caught primarily by coastal fisheries, including small-scale IOTC–2015–SC18–R[E] industrial and artisanal fisheries. They are almost always caught within the EEZs of coastal states. Historically, catches were often reported as aggregates of various species, Neritic tunas and mackerel: These six species have become as important or more important as the three tropical tuna species (bigeye tuna, skipjack tuna and yellowfin tuna) to most IOTC coastal states with a making it difficult obtain tappropriate stock assessment total estimated catchto of 623,242 being landed indata 2013.for They are caught primarily analyses. by coastal fisheries, including small-scale industrial and artisanal fisheries. They are almost always caught within the EEZs of coastal states. Historically, catches were often reported as aggregates of various species, making it difficult to obtain appropriate data for stock assessment analyses. Stock

Indicators Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2014/FMSY (80% CI): B2014/BMSY (80% CI): B2014/B0 (80% CI): Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2014/FMSY (80% CI): B2014/BMSY (80% CI): B2014/B0 (80% CI): Catch 2014: Average catch 2010–2014: MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): FMSY (80% CI): BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): F2013/FMSY (80% CI): B2013/BMSY (80% CI): B2013/B1950 (80% CI):

Prev1

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Advice to the Commission

8,117 t 8,952 t unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown 97,980 t 97,930 t unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown unknown 162,854 t 156,066 t 152 [125 –188]** 0.56 [0.42–0.69]** 202 [151–315]** 0.98 [0.85–1.11]** 1.15 [0.97–1.38]** 0.58 [0.33–0.86]**

A precautionary approach to the management of bullet tuna should be considered by the Commission, by ensuring that future catches do not exceed current catches (average 2010-2014). The stock Bullet tuna should be closely monitored. Mechanisms need to be developed Auxis rochei by the Commission to improve current statistics by encouraging CPCs to comply with their recording and reporting requirements, so as to better inform scientific advice. Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix XVII A precautionary approach to the management of frigate tuna should be considered by the Commission, by ensuring that future catches do not exceed current catches (average 2010-2014). The stock should be closely monitored. Mechanisms need to be Frigate tuna developed by the Commission to improve current statistics by Auxis thazard encouraging CPCs to comply with their recording and reporting requirements, so as to better inform scientific advice. Click here for full stock status summary: Appendix XVIII Although the stock status is classified as not overfished and not subject to overfishing, the K2MSM showed that there is a 96% probability that biomass is below MSY levels and 100% probability that F>FMSY by 2016 and 2023 if catches are maintained at the current levels. The modelled probabilities of the Kawakawa stock achieving levels consistent with the MSY reference points Euthynnus affinis (e.g. SB > SBMSY and F<FMSY) in 2023 are 100% for a future constant catch at 80% of current catch levels in 2014, thus if the Commission wishes to recover the stock to levels above the MSY reference points, the Scientific Committee recommends that catches should be reduced by 20% of current levels.Click for a full stock status summary: Appendix XIX There is a continued high to very high risk of exceeding MSYCatch 2014: 147,587 t based reference points by 2016, even if catches are reduced to 90% Average catch 2010–2014: 158,393 t of the current (2013) levels (100% risk that B2016<BMSY, and 87% MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 122 (106–173) risk that F2016>FMSY) or are reduced to 70% of the current levels FMSY (80% CI): 0.55 (0.48–0.78) (76% probability B<BMSY and 82% probability F>FMSY). If the BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 221 (189–323) 25% Commission wishes to recover the stock to levels above the MSY Longtail tuna F2013/FMSY (80% CI): 1.43 (0.58–3.12) Thunnus tonggol reference points, the Scientific Committee recommends catches B2013/BMSY (80% CI): 1.01 (0.53–1.71) * should be reduced by 30% of current levels which corresponds to B2013/B1950 (80% CI): 0.41 (n.a.) catches slightly below to MSY in order to recover the status of the stock in conformity with the decision framework described in Resolution 15/10. Click for a full stock status summary: IOTC–2015–SC18–R[E] Appendix XX Catch 2014: 45,953 t A precautionary approach to the management of IP king mackerel Average catch 2010–2014: 44,621 t should be considered by the Commission, by ensuring that future catches do not exceed preliminary estimates of MSY. The stock Indo-Pacific king MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 43 [35.8–52.9]** should be closely monitored. Mechanisms need to be developed mackerel FMSY (80% CI): 0.42 [0.34–0.52]** by the Commission to improve current statistics by encouraging Scomberomorus BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 82.8 [60.3–131.1]** Page 14 of 175 CPCs to comply with their recording and reporting requirement, guttatus F2013/FMSY (80% CI): 1.05 [0.91–1.27]** so as to better inform scientific advice. Click for a full stock status B2013/BMSY (80% CI): 1.01 [0.80–1.20]** summary: Appendix XXI B2013/B1950 (80% CI): 0.52 [0.34–0.74]** There is a continued high to very high risk of exceeding MSYCatch 2014: 153,425 t based reference points by 2023, even if catches are reduced to 80% Average catch 2010–2014: 149,774 t of the current (2013) levels (67% risk that B2023<BMSY, and 99% MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 127.7 [95.8–183.6]** risk that F 2023>FMSY). The modeled probabilities of the stock FMSY (80% CI): 0.33 [0.21–0.56]** Narrow-barred Spanish achieving levels consistent with the MSY reference levels (e.g. SB BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 321 [174–693]** mackerel > SBMSY and F<FMSY) in 2023 are 98 and 79%, respectively, for a F2013/FMSY (80% CI): 1.21 [0.99–1.58]** Scomberomorus future constant catch at 70% of current catch level. If the B2013/BMSY (80% CI): 0.96 [0.69–1.22]** commerson Commission wishes to recover the stock to levels above the MSY B2013/B1950 (80% CI): 0.53 [0.30–1.04]** reference points, the Scientific Committee recommends that catches should be reduced by 20-30% of current levels which corresponds to catches below to MSY in order to recover the status of the stock. Click for a full stock status summary: Appendix XXII Sharks: Although sharks are not part of the 16 species directly under the IOTC mandate, sharks are frequently caught in association with fisheries targeting IOTC species. Some fleets are known to actively target both sharks and IOTC species simultaneously. As such, IOTC Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties are required to report information at the same level of detail as for the 16 IOTC species. The following are the main species caught in IOTC fisheries, although the list is not exhaustive. th Stock

Indicators Reported catch 2014 : Not elsewhere included (nei) sharks 2014: Average reported catch 2010– 2014:

Prev1 30,012 t 39,820 t 28,888 t

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

National Tuna Congress Advice to the Commission

| 55

A precautionary approach to the management of blue shark should be considered by the Commission, by ensuring that future catches do not exceed current catches. The stock should be closely monitored. Mechanisms need to be developed by the Commission to improve current statistics by encouraging CPCs to comply with

IOTC–2015–SC18–R[E]

Indian Ocean Tuna Commission Catch 2014:

45,953 t Average catch 2010–2014: 44,621 t MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 43 [35.8–52.9]** FMSY (80% CI): 0.42 [0.34–0.52]** BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 82.8 [60.3–131.1]** F2013/FMSY (80% CI): 1.05 [0.91–1.27]** B2013/BMSY (80% CI): 1.01 [0.80–1.20]** B2013/B1950 (80% CI): 0.52 [0.34–0.74]** Catch 2014: 153,425 t Average catch 2010–2014: 149,774 t MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 127.7 [95.8–183.6]** FMSY (80% CI): 0.33 [0.21–0.56]** BMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): 321 [174–693]** F2013/FMSY (80% CI): 1.21 [0.99–1.58]** B2013/BMSYBlue (80% shark CI): 0.96 [0.69–1.22]** B2013/B1950 (80% CI): 0.53 [0.30–1.04]**

A precautionary approach to the management of IP king mackerel should be considered by the Commission, by ensuring that future catches do not exceed preliminary estimates of MSY. The stock Indo-Pacific king should be closely monitored. Mechanisms need to be developed mackerel by the Commission to improve current statistics by encouraging Scomberomorus CPCs to comply with their recording and reporting requirement, guttatus so as to better inform scientific advice. Click for a full stock status summary: Appendix XXI There is a continued high to very high risk of exceeding MSYbased reference points by 2023, even if catches are reduced to 80% of the current (2013) levels (67% risk that B2023<BMSY, and 99% risk that F 2023>FMSY). The modeled probabilities of the stock Narrow-barred Spanish achieving levels consistent with the MSY reference levels (e.g. SB mackerel > SBMSY and F<FMSY) in 2023 are 98 and 79%, respectively, for a Scomberomorus future constant catch at 70% of current catch level. If the Silky shark commerson Commission wishes to recover the stock to levels above the MSY reference points, the Scientific Committee recommends that catches should be reduced by 20-30% of current levels which Sharks: Although sharks are not part of the 16 species directly under the IOTC mandate, sharks are frequently caught in association withbelow fisheries IOTCthe species. corresponds to catches to MSYtargeting in order to recover status Some fleets are known to actively target both sharks and IOTC species simultaneously. As such, IOTC Contracting Parties and Click Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties are of the stock. for a full stock status summary: Appendix XXII Sharks: to Although are not part at of the species directly under the mandate, sharks are frequently in association withmain fisheries targeting IOTC species. Some fleets are known to actively target required reportsharks information the16same level of detail asIOTC for the 16 IOTC species. Thecaught following are the species caught in IOTC fisheries, although the list is not both sharks and IOTC species simultaneously. As such, IOTC Contracting Parties and Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties are required to report information at the same level of detail as for the 16 IOTC species. exhaustive The following are the main species caught in IOTC fisheries, although the list is not exhaustive. Stock

Indicators

Prev1

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Advice to the Commission

Reported catch 2014 : 30,012 t A precautionary approach to the management of blue shark should Not elsewhere included (nei) 39,820 t be considered by the Commission, by ensuring that future catches sharks 2014: do not exceed current catches. The stock should be closely Average reported catch 2010– 28,888 t monitored. Mechanisms need to be developed by the Commission 2014: to improve current statistics by encouraging CPCs to comply with Not elsewhere included (nei) 46,543 t their recording and reporting requirement on sharks, so as to better Blue shark sharks 2010–14: inform scientific advice. Click for a full stock status summary: Prionace glauca Appendix XXIII MSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): Unknown FMSY (80% CI): Unknown SBMSY (1,000 t) (80% CI): Unknown F2014/FMSY (range): (0.44–4.84) SB2014/SBMSY (range): (0.83–1.75) SB2014/SB0 (range): Unknown Reported catch 2014 : 5,383 t A precautionary approach to the management of these sharks Not elsewhere included (nei) 39,820 t should be considered by the Commission. Mechanisms need to sharks 2014: be developed by the Commission to encourage CPCs to comply Oceanic whitetip shark Average reported catch 2010– 2,398 t with their recording and reporting requirement on sharks, so as to Carcharhinus 2014: better inform scientific advice. Click for a full stock status longimanus Not elsewhere included (nei) 46,543 t summary: sharks 2010–14: o Oceanic whitetip sharks – Appendix XXIV IOTC–2015–SC18–R[E] MSY (range): unknown Reported catch 2013: 42 t o Scalloped hammerhead sharks – Appendix Not elsewhere included (nei) 39,820 t XXV sharks2: o Shortfin mako sharks – Appendix XXVI Scalloped hammerhead Average reported catch 2009– 89 t o Silky sharks – Appendix XXVII Page 15 of 175 shark 2013: o Bigeye thresher sharks – Appendix XXVIII Sphyrna lewini Not elsewhere included (nei) 46,5432 t o Pelagic thresher sharks – Appendix XXIX sharks2: MSY (range): unknown Reported catch 2014 : 1,683 t Not elsewhere included (nei) 39,820 t sharks 2014: Average reported catch 2010– 1,538 t Shortfin mako 2014: Isurus oxyrinchus Not elsewhere included (nei) 46,543 t sharks 2010–14: MSY (range): unknown Reported catch 2014 : 2,901 t Not elsewhere included (nei) 39,820 t sharks 2014: Silky shark Average reported catch 2010– 4,088 t Carcharhinus 2014: falciformis Not elsewhere included (nei) 46,543 t sharks 2010–14: MSY (range): unknown Reported catch 2014 : 0 t Not elsewhere included (nei) 39,820 t sharks 2014: Average reported catch 2010– 159 t Bigeye thresher shark 2014: Alopias superciliosus Not elsewhere included (nei) 46,543 t sharks 2010–14: MSY (range): unknown Reported catch 2014 : 0 t Not elsewhere included (nei) 39,820 t sharks 2014: Average reported catch 2010– 122 t Pelagic thresher shark 2014: Alopias pelagicus Not elsewhere included (nei) 46,543 t sharks 2010–14: MSY (range): unknown 1 This indicates the last year taken into account for assessments carried out before 2010. *Estimated probability that the stock is in the respective quadrant of the Kobe plot (shown below), derived from the confidence intervals associated with the current stock status. ** Range of plausible models. Stock overfished(SByear/SBMSY< 1) Stock not overfished (SByear/SBMSY≥ 1) Colour key Stock subject to overfishing(F year/FMSY> 1) Stock not subject to overfishing (F year/FMSY≤ 1) Not assessed/Uncertain

56 |

“Philippine Tuna:

Page 16 of 175

Gearing Up for the Future”

1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

| 57

Excerpts from the

Overview of Tuna Fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean,

including Economic Conditions – 2015 Abstract

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ELEVENTH REGULAR SESSION

Bali, Indonesia 3-11 August 2016

Peter Williams and Peter Terawasi Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Ocean Fisheries Programme (OFP), Noumea, New Caledonia 2 Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Honiara, Solomon Islands

References OFP (2016). Estimates of annual catches in the WCPFC Statistical Area. Information Paper ST–IP–1. Twelfth Regular Session of the Scientific Committee of the WCPFC (SC12). Bali, Indonesia, 3–11 August 2016. Pilling, G., R, Scott, P. Williams & J. Hampton (2016) A compendium of fisheries indicators for bigeye and yellowfin t Working Paper SA-WP-03. Twelfth Regular Session of the Scientific Committee of the WCPFC (SC12). Bali, Indonesia. 3–11 August 2016. Tidd, A., G. Pilling & S. Harley (2015) Examining productivity changes within the tropical WCPO purse seine fishery Information Paper MI-IP-01. Eleventh Regular Session of the Scientific Committee of the WCPFC (SC11). Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, 5–13 August 2015.

58 |

“Philippine Tuna:

This paper provides a broad description of the major fisheries in the WCPFC Statistical Area (WCPCA) highlighting activities during the most recent calendar year (2015) and covering the most recent version of catch estimates by gear and species. The provisional total WCP–CA tuna catch for 2015 was estimated at 2,687,840 mt, the third highest on record and nearly 200,000 mt below the previous record catch in 2014 (2,882,511 mt); this catch represented 80% of the total Pacific Ocean catch of 3,379,789 mt, and 56% of the global tuna catch (the provisional estimate for 2015 is 4,799,697 mt, and when finalised is expected to be the second highest on record). The 2015 WCP–CA catch of skipjack (1,827,750 mt – 68% of the total catch) was the third highest recorded, nearly 180,000 mt less than the record in 2014 (2,005,647 mt). The WCP–CA yellowfin catch for 2015 (605,963 mt – 23%) was the second highest recorded (less than 1,000 mt lower than the record catch of 2008 – 606,868 mt); the increase in yellowfin tuna catch from 2014 levels was mainly due to increased catches in the Indonesia and Philippines domestic fisheries. The WCP–CA bigeye catch for 2015 (134,084 mt – 5%) was the lowest since 1996 due to relatively low catches in the longline and purse seine fisheries. The 2015 WCP–CA albacore catch (120,043 mt - 4%) was the lowest since 2011 and nearly 28,000 mt lower than the record catch in 2002 at 147,793 mt. The WCP–CA albacore catch includes catches of north and south Pacific albacore in the WCP–CA, which comprised 81% of the total Pacific Ocean albacore

Gearing Up for the Future”

catch of 149,289 mt in 2015. The south Pacific albacore catch in 2015 (68,594 mt) was about 12,000 mt lower than in 2014 and nearly 20,000 mt lower than the record catch in 2010 of 87,292 mt. The provisional 2015 purse-seine catch of 1,766,070 mt was the fifth highest catch on record and more than 280,000 mt lower than the record in 2014 (2,051,970 mt); the main reason for this decline in catch appears to be reduced effort more than any other factor. The 2015 purseseine skipjack catch (1,416,453 mt; 80% of total catch) was about 210,000 mt lower than the record in 2014. The 2015 purse-seine catch estimate for yellowfin tuna (298,847 mt) contributed only 17% of the total catch, continuing the recent trend of a diminishing contribution in the overall catch and amongst the lowest for the past decade. The provisional catch estimate for bigeye tuna for 2015 (48,772 mt) was the lowest catch since 2007 and appears to be related to a combination of lower effort, and possibly environmental conditions which resulted in bigeye tuna being less available to the purse seine gear. In line with the prevailing ENSO conditions, fishing activity during 2014 and 2015 (strong El Niño conditions) extended to the more central/eastern area of the WCPO compared to 2013 (La Niña conditions). There was more purse-seine effort in the area to the east of longitude 160° E during 2014/2015 than the previous 6 years when effort is usually concentrated to the west of this longitude (i.e. PNG, FSM and Solomon Islands). With the ENSO forecast for late 2016 predicting a weakening of El Nino conditions, there should be a switch

back to more effort in the western tropical areas. The 2015 pole-and-line catch (228,129 mt) was a slight increase on the 2014 catch but remains amongst the lowest annual catch since the late-1960s. Japanese distantwater and offshore fleets (110,433 mt in 2015), and the Indonesian fleets (116,179 mt in 2015), account for nearly all of the WCP–CA pole-and-line catch (99% in 2015). The provisional WCP–CA longline catch (243,547 mt) for 2015 was lower than the average for the past five years. The WCP– CA albacore longline catch (80,596 mt – 33%) for 2015 was the lowest for three years, 21,000 mt. lower that the record of 101,816 mt attained in 2010. The provisional bigeye catch (63,986 mt – 26%) for 2015 was the lowest since 1996, mainly due to continued reduction in effort in the main bigeye tuna fishery. The yellowfin catch for 2015 (97,289 mt – 40%) was amongst the highest over the past decade ten years. The 2015 South Pacific troll albacore catch (2,576 mt) was around the average over the past decade. The New Zealand troll fleet (131 vessels catching 2,425 mt in 2015) and the United States troll fleet (6 vessels catching 151 mt in 2015) accounted for all of the 2015 albacore troll catch.

Similar trends occurred in other markets with prices in Europe and Spain 6% and 15% lower respectively; General Santos prices were 12% lower while the Ecuador price declined by 25%. Prices on markets in Japan increased (in JPY) but driven by the 14% depreciation of the Yen against the USD, prices in USD terms fell. USD prices for Japan selected ports, Japan Customs imports and Yaizu port declined 1%, 3% and 6% respectively. Yellowfin prices on canning markets were mostly down but by varying magnitude; the Bangkok market price (20lbs+, c&f ) and Thai import prices both declined 14%, Yaizu declined 13% (in USD terms) and General Santos (20lbs+, fob) down 10% while Ecuador saw a 28% decline. Albacore prices rose during 2015 across markets following on from significant increases in 2014; the Bangkok benchmark (10kg and up) increased 7% (following a 15% rise in 2014), Thai frozen imports increased 5% while Japan selected ports fresh (ex-vessel) and US imports fresh (f.a.s.) increased 6% and 7% respectively.

Market conditions for the tuna raw materials of the WCP-CA during 2015 saw further deteriorations in the prices for canning lightmeat raw material and sashimi grade products but improvement in the price for albacore for canning.

USD prices on the main markets for longline caught sashimi products (yellowfin and bigeye) in Japan declined in 2015. The 2015 average price for the Japan fresh yellowfin imports from all sources averaged $8.44/Kg, down 13% on 2014. The Yaizu Port 2015 longline caught yellowfin fresh/frozen price decreased by 18% to $5.31/Kg. Similar trends occurred on US markets with the US fresh yellowfin import price averaging $9.45 in 2015, 2% down on 2014.

Prices in the major markets for WCP-CA skipjack were lower in 2015 compared with 2014, underpinned by an oversupply of raw material and lower demand at end markets. The Bangkok benchmark (4-7.5lbs) and Thai import prices were lower by 15% and 17% respectively.

Japanese fresh bigeye imports from all sources weakened by 8% to $8.68/Kg while Japan selected ports frozen price in 2015 declined by 14% to $7.74/Kg. In the US market the fresh bigeye import price in 2015 declined by 4%. The total estimated delivered value of

catch in the WCP-CA declined by 18% to $4.8 billion during 2015. This is the third consecutive year of a decline in catch values since the peak of $7.5 billion in 2012. The value of the purse seine fishery declined by 28% from the previous year to $2.3 billion with its contribution to the total catch value falling to 49% (56% in 2014). The value of the longline fishery also declined, down 11%, to $1.5 billion but its contribution to the total catch value increased to 31%. In terms of value by species, all species declined in value except albacore which remained steady at $357 million result in its contribution to the total catch value rising to 7%. The value of the bigeye catch declined by 20% to $605 million (13% of the total catch value). The value of the skipjack catch declined the most, falling by 24% to $2.3 billion or 49% of the total catch value. The yellowfin catch value declined by 11% to $1.5 billion (32%). Economic conditions in the purse seine, tropical longline and southern longline fisheries of the WCP-CA – improved, albeit marginally in some cases, in 2015 compared with 2014. The purse seine fishery saw increases in catch rates and declines in costs which more than offset declines in prices. In the tropical longline fishery conditions improved only marginally compared with 2014 despite a significant fall in fuel prices as the effect of the resulting decline in costs was largely offset by declines in the catch rate and fish prices. For the southern longline fishery economic conditions improved significantly in 2015 primarily driven by falling fuel costs with the fish price remaining around its 2014 level. However, persistent low catch rates continue to impact on economic conditions in the southern longline fishery and if they continue the likelihood of economic conditions returning to higher historical average levels remains low.

1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

| 59

Status Report on the operation

Philippine Flagged Group Seine Vessels

operating in High Seas Pocket 1

background

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ELEVENTH REGULAR SESSION

Bali, Indonesia 3-8 December 2015

Paper by Philippines Prepared By: Mr. Isidro Tanangonan, Fisheries Observer and Ms. Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras, Executive Director SFFAII Dr. Alma C. Dickson, Chief, BFAR-NMFDC WCPFC12-2015-DP23 1 December 2015

The Philippine is one of the members of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) which implements CMM 2008-01 in which Purse Seine fishing in FADs at High Seas Pocket 1 (HSP1) has been temporary closed from 2009 until 2011. In 2012 Philippineflagged boats was given access by the Commission under a Special Management Area in consonance with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Conservation Management Measures (CMM) 2011-01, CMM 201201, CMM 2013-01 and CMM 2014-01

respectively. Thirty-six (36) traditional icechilled purse seine/ring net catcher boats no more than 250 gross tonnage and its support crafts were allowed to conduct group seine operation in HSP1 to fish for not more than 9,846 fishing days per year. These boats target mainly skipjack tuna intended for canneries and wet markets. The boats operating in HSP1 area were installed with vessel monitoring system/ ALCs and also with 100% Regional Observer coverage. Results of operations from Day 1 are shown in Table 1 based from the Fisheries Observer Data.

Table 1: Result of HSP1 Operations YEAR TOTAL

No. of Companies

No. of PS/ RN Fleets

Fishing Days

Catch Rate per set

2012

211

9.695

2,044.765

2013

1,352

9.857

13,326.249

2014

2,669

10.728

28,633.962

2015(Jan-Jun)

1,631

8.742

14,257.821

5,863

9.937

58,262.797

Total

Total Catch (in MT)

Source: BFAR National Marine Fisheries Development Center records

60 |

“Philippine Tuna:

The Philippine being a coastal state derives its protein source on fish. With this level of tuna catch from HSP1, it has potential to provide protein source for 3.034 million Filipinos using the estimated per capita fish consumption in 2012 at 19.2 kilos according to the “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2014” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This level of production can provide fish requirement of six-folds the population size of General Santos City, thus remarkably improving food security in the area.

method being used by Philippine-Flagged boats operating in HSP1.

However, a notable substantial amount of poor quality fish have been observed over the years. Thus, the need to evaluate the economic impact of the production in relation to ice-chilling preservation

catch summary

Gearing Up for the Future”

It has been monitored that substantial volume of fish landed by pelagic fisheries are spoiled/damaged due to poor handling. Despite the value added preservation efforts applied into smoked, dried fish and fish meals, the overall results on the prices of said products are still low value produced fish. Hence, the said situation needs intervention on how to improve the quality value of fish catch landed at the General Santos Port.

Table 1 shows the catch summary of Philippine flagged fishing vessels that were able to operate in HSP1 from October

Data also shows an increased catch rate from 2012 to 2014 despite an increased number of fishing fleet from 10 catchers to 35 catchers respectively. In 2012 average catch per set is 9.695 metric tons, increased to 9.857 metric tons in 2013, 10.728 metric tons in 2014 and 8.742 metric tons in 2015 based on the partial data available for January to June 2015. Said outcome indicated that over the years volume of catch increase but abruptly decrease in 2015.

Table 2. Comparison of Low Value/Trash Fish to Total Catch from 2012-2015. YEAR TOTAL

LOW VALUE/ TRASH FISH(mT)

CATCH (mT)

2,044.765

159.76

7.81%

2013

13,326.249

1,452.18

10.90%

2014

28,633.962

3,835.71

13.40%

2015(Jan-Jun)

14,257.821

1,924.71

13.50%

TOTAL

58,262.797

7,372.36

12.65%

Based on Table 2, for 2012, low-value/ landings already posted an increase of lowtrash fish was 7.81% of estimated catch value/and trash fish respectively at 13.40% resulting and 13.50% posted an increase of low-value/ trash fish at 13.40% 13.50% which increased in 2013 to 10.90% of respectively resulting to low-value/trash to low-value/trash of 12.65% 1(see Fig. landings. In 2014fish andrate first half of from 2015Dayfish rate of1). 12.65% from Day 1(see Fig. 1). 35000

16.00%

30000

13.50%

13.40%

For the purpose of analyzing the economic impact of low-value/trash fish level in relation to ice-chilling method being used by Philippine-flagged boat operating in HSP1, we use the present context of low value/trash fish as commerciallyimportant food fish landed by pelagic fisheries that are spoiled and/or damaged (due to rough handling and poor postharvest practices) that could still be used for industrial purposes. An analysis of quality of fish landed in General Santos City from HSP1 indicated that there has been an increasing trend in the level of low-value/trash fish. Lowvalue/trash fish are not acceptable for canning and for table fish consumption, thus end up for smoking, fishmeal processing or drying with significantly lower prices compared to highest prevailing market price for canning-grade tuna.

14.00% 12.00%

25000

10.90%

10.00%

20000

8.00%

7.81%

15000

6.00%

10000

4.00%

5000

TRASH FISH GOOD FISH TRASH FISH %

2.00% 0.00%

ANALYSIS OF CATCH PRODUCTION IN HSP1

Percentage

2012

Weight (mT)

2012 to June 2015 based on Fisheries Observer data. Total catch includes all fish species caught on purse seine and ringnet vessels. Majority of species caught were oceanic tuna(Yellowfin, Bigeye and Skipjack Tuna) comprising more than 90% of the total catch while the remainder of the catch were mixtures of other species like mackerel scad, kawa-kawa, frigate tuna, bullet tuna, rainbow runner, bigeye scad, etc. All of the fish catches were loaded into fish carriers which brought them to General Santos City Fishport for unloading to canneries and wet markets. The remaining low quality fish due to spoilage and damaged during handling were processed into other products such as smoked, dried or fishmeal.

2012

2013

2014

2015

YEAR

Fig 1. Fish Quality Santos City Fig 1. Fish QualityLanded LandedininGeneral General Santos City

The increasing trend of low-value/trash with more fleets going farther in HSP1, the The trend oftolow-value/trash be attributed to the distance of thein General fish increasing can be attributed the distance offish thecanmore low-value/trash fish landed fishing ground from the landing site. The fishing ground from the landing site. The first batch of purse net the fleetstime in to and Santos City. seine/ring Considering first batch of purse seine/ring net fleets in distance of the fishing ground, 2012 locate their operations in HSP1 relatively closer to landing sitepost-harvest 2012were wereable abletoto locate their operations handling to preserve fish quality is very in HSP1 relatively closer to landing site compared to those who started later. Thus, with more fleets going farther in HSP1, the compared to those who started later. Thus, vital. more low-value/trash fish landed in General Santos City. Considering the time to and Table 3. Breakdown ofground, Low-value/Trash Fishhandling from October 2012-June 2015 is very distance of the fishing post-harvest to preserve fish quality

vital. YEAR TOTAL

SMOKED (mT)

FISHMEAL (mT)

DRIED FISH (mT)

TOTAL (mT)

Table 3. Breakdown of Low-value/Trash Fish from October 2012-June 2015 2012 73.89 85.87 YEAR 2013 SMOKED FISHMEAL DRIED FISH TOTAL 785.66 89.63 576.89 2014 (mT)

2012 2015 73.89 2013 TOTAL785.66

(mT) 1,833.63 1,210.59 89.63 3,903.77

2014 1,833.63 Source: Industry Submitted data 1777.68 2015

TOTAL

1,210.59

3,903.77

589.50

2,456.81

Source: Industry Submitted data

(mT) 1777.68 85.87 589.50

576.89 2,456.81 224.40 124.62

1,011.78

(mT) 224.40 124.62159.76

1,452.18 1,011.78 3,835.71 1,924.71

7,372.36

159.76 1,452.18 3,835.71 1,924.71 7,372.36

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STATUS REPORT ON THE OPERATION OF PHILIPPINE FLAGGED GROUP SEINE VESSELS

Further analysis, shows that majority of low followed by Fishmeal at 33% and Dried Fish at 14%. A valuation of low-value/trash fish using the validated average price per metric ton for the past 4 years for smoking at Php 18,000, for fishmeal at Php 4,500 and Php 2,670 for drying is estimated to total Php 84 Million or US$ 1.9 Million (Table 4)

Table.4. Valuation of Trash Fish, from October 2012-June 2015 (in Philippine Pesos) YEAR TOTAL

SMOKED

FISHMEAL

DRIED FISH

TOTAL

2012

1,330,020.00

229,272.90

1,559,292.90

2013

14,141,880.00

403,335.00

1,540,296.30

16,085,511.30

2014

33,005,340.00

7,999,560.00

599,148.00

41,604,048.00

2015

1,210.59

2,652,750.00

332.735.40

24,776,105.40

TOTAL

3,903.77

11,055,645.00

2,701,452.60

84,024,957.60

Table 5: Average Price per Metric Ton of Skipjack, for 2012-(Jan-Jun)2015 (in US$) Average Price per MT

ECONOMIC COST OF LOWVALUE/TRASH FISH FROM HSP1 CATCHES

The drop in quality of fish landed from HSP1 brought about by the nature of current operation using ice chilling method has a cost. The value of 7,372.36 metric tons of low value/trash fish from HSP1 if hypothetically considered good is estimated at Php 462 Million or US$ 10.5 Million (See Table 7). This results to an estimation of opportunity cost at around Php 378 Million or US$ 8.6 Million (See Table 8) using the following assumptions:

2012

US$ 2,074.00

As reported in WCPFC-SC10-2014/GN-WP-1

2013

US$ 1,908.08

WCPFC-SC10-2014-GN-WP-01 reported 8% reduction-

2014

US$ 1,387.5

Data fromWCPFC-SC11-2015-GN-WP-01. Average of End of 2013 Price at $1500, lowest price in April at $1150, rebounded price by July at $1800 and declined sharply in December at $1,100

2015

US$ 1,100.00

Data fromWCPFC-SC11-2015-GN-WP-01. Average of End of 2014 Price at $1100, lowest price in April at $950 and rebounded price by July at $1250

Further analysis, shows that majority of low-value/trash low value/trash fish end up for smoked at 53% followed by Fishmeal at 33% % and Dried Fish at 14%.

Table 6: Average Conversion Rate of US$ 1, from 2012-(Jan-Jun)2015 (in Philippine Pesos)

DRIED FISH 14%

1. Prices used are based on Bangkok’s price of Skipjack derived in Table 5. 2. Foreign exchange Conversion average rates of US$ to Philippine Pesos based on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas website, http://www.bsp.gov.ph/dbank_reports/ ExchangeRates_1.asp?freq=Annual

Derivation/Source

SMOKED 53%

FISHMEAL 33%

SMOKED

YEAR

FISHMEAL DRIED FISH

Figure. 2. Trash Fish by Product Composition (October 2012-June Figure. 2. Trash2015) Fish by Product Composition (October 2012-June 2012 June 2015) 201

USD-PHP Conversion Rate

2012

42.2288

2013

42.4462

2014

44.3952

2015

44.5465

The opportunity cost of Php 378 Million or US$ 8.6 Million is the income deprived of the players of HSP1. With the current income sharing scheme where 60% of net income goes to fishers and crew onboard the boats and 40% goes to boat owners-operators, an estimated loss in income of Php 227 Million (US$ 5.2 Million) and Php 151 Million (US$ 3.4 Million), was incurred respectively.

7:ofValuation of Low-Value/ Trash average Fish from HSP1 if Hypothetically Considered “GOOD”, value/trash fish using the validated price per metric ton for A Table valuation low-value/trash

The total loss is equivalent to income of 3,122 average Filipinos using 2013 per capita income of US$2,765 (http:// business.inquirer.net/175464/boom-upsfilipinos-percapita- income - at - 2765 - in -2013-luxury-goods-sale-rising) or income of 1,609 families using 2012 average household income (https://psa.gov.ph/ content/2012-fiesstatistical-tables) which support the living of 7,401 Filipinos.

2014

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“Philippine Tuna:

from 2012-June 2015 for (infishmeal Philippine Pesos) the past 4October years for smoking at Php 18,000, at Php 4,500 and Php 2,670 for 84 Million or US$ 1.9FISHMEAL Million (Table 4). dryingYEAR is estimated to total to Php 4) TOTAL SMOKED

2012

6,471,473.23

DRIED FISH

7,520,711.95

Table.4. Valuation of Trash Fish, from October 2012-June June 2015 201 (in Philippine Pesos)

2013

2014

TOTAL

13,992,185.18

63,631,188.95

7,259,200.50

46,722,751.05

117,613,140.50

112,948,564.17

109,502,137.05

13,822,667.50

236,273,368.72

YEAR2015 (Jan-Jun) SMOKED

FISHMEAL DRIED FISH TOTAL 59,320,302.18 28,886,177.93

6,106,523.31

94,313,003.42

2012

74,172,653.82

462,191,697.83

1,330,020.00

TOTAL

2013

14,141,880.00

33,005,340.00

242,371,528.53

229,272.90

1,559,292.90 559,292.90

145,647,515.48

403,335.00

1,540,296.30

16,085,511.30

11,055,645.00

2,701,452.60

84,024 024,957.60

7,999,560.00

599,148.00

41,604 604,048.00

Table 8: Differential Valuation of Low-Value/Trash Fish from HSP1, from October 2012 – June 21,790,620.00 2,652,750.00 332.735.40 24,776 776,105.40 2015 (in Philippine Pesos)

2015

TOTAL

70,267,860.00

YEAR TOTAL

SMOKED

2012

5,141,453.23

2013

49,489,308.95

FISHMEAL

DRIED FISH

TOTAL

7,291,439.05

12,432,892.28

45,182,454.75

101,527,629.20

2014 79,943,224.17 13,223,519.50 The drop in quality of fish landed from HSP1 brought101,502,577.05 about by the nature of current

194,669,320.72

VALUE/TRASH FISH FROM HSP1 CATCHES ECONOMIC COST OF LOW-VALUE/TRASH

76,855,865.50

operation ice chilling method has a cost. The value 26,233,427.93 of 7,372.36 metric tons of5,773,787.91 low low2015using (Jan-Jun) 37,529,682.18 value/trash fish from HSP1 if hypothetically considered good is estimated at Php 462

TOTAL

172,103,668.53

Gearing Up for the Future”

134,591,870.48

71,471,201.22

69,536,898.02 378,166,740.23

Fifteen awesome reasons to visit Gensan in 2016… -Maria Cora C. Tito -

Let me count the ways...

Savor the Delectable Tuna Flavor

Be amazed of the 20 tons average daily tuna catch

The Gensan Fishport is the Philippine’s most modern fishport , a 32-hectare facility , with world class facilities and amenities that supplies Sashimi Grade Tuna to the world. Landing an average volume catch of 20 tons daily, this food facility remained to be the “must-see” destination in Gensan.

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“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

Gensan boasts of its Sashimi Grade Tuna, mouthwatering tuna belly, tuna kinilaw (ceviche), tuna bagaybay (intestines), tuna bihod (roe), big eye tuna paksiw, tuna lechon and all the tunariffic goodies cooked in a variety of cuisines that surely stirs one’s appetite. Bear in mind that tuna tastes best in the place where it calls “home”.

Record the Guinness World Record Holder in 2014

Gensan is the Guinness World Record holder for the largest fish display in the world. The certification from the Guinness World Records was issued last September 2014, unseating Netherlands who held the title using the fish herring with a total volume of 4 tons. Gensan set a new world record of 25,594.49 kilograms (56,426lbs 3 oz) of yellow fin tuna.

Be mesmerized of the 6 out of 7 Tuna Canning Factories in the Philippines

Of the seven (7) Tuna Canning Factories in the Philippines, six (6) are located in Gensan. The presence of canning factories affirms its claim that Gensan is indeed â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Tuna Capital of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;?. To complete the allied industry, Tin Can Factories, Box Factory, Ship Building Industries, even dried tuna fish varieties and the tuna- value-added-products can be found in Gensan.

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Fifteen awesome reasons to visit Gensan in 2016…

Immerse, play and run in our diverse Sports Destination

Gensan as the adventure sports haven in Southern Mindanao establishing 8 multi-sport events ever since. Living up to its name as the home of champions, the city is open to all sports enthusiasts and continues to hone young talents in the field of sports. The Gensan Summer Youth Fest is a testament in the city’s advocacy in training young Generals in these competitive sporting events.

General Santos is not only known for its booming fishing industry, it is home to some of the country’s famous personalities that made a mark in their own chosen field. Boxing champions: Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire, Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner Up Ms. Shamcey Supsup, famous homegrown artist Leroy New.and world Taekwondo Champion Jean Pierre Sabido, to name a few.

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“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

photo: leonard pe

Be home sweet “Home of the Champions”

Enjoy World Class infrastructures

World class infrastructure made Gensan as the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principal trading port catering SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) economic growth area. The international standard airport having the second longest runway, can accommodate wide bodied aircrafts and jets. The wide, well-paved roads in Gensan are distinctive in the city and the clean but spacious Makar Wharf , is a noticeable seaport in the region. The Mabuhay IT Park and the newly opened diversion road are additions to these infra facilities.

photo: ronald velasquez

Visit the #8 Most Competitive City of 2016

General Santos City made it to the Most Competitive Cities of the Philippines Ranking by the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines 2016. Gensan ranked number 8th among the list of Highly Urbanized City Category in the Philippines, and stand Proud as a formidable city to beat. Three (3) highly urbanized cities in Mindanao also made it to the top ten ranking.

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Fifteen awesome reasons to visit Gensan in 2016…

Captivate the hearts of Gensan’s Tri People’s culture

At Purok Balakayo, Barangay Olympog, the zipline, cable car ride & rock climbing offer Gensan at its heights, showcasing Gensan’s skyline, canopies of trees, deep ravines, picturesque horizons where the Sarangani Bay and Gensan Blue sky meet.

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“Philippine Tuna:

Gensan’s population is a mixture of Christian-Muslim-Tribal communities where everyone harmoniously lives alongside each other respecting and helping one another regardless of age, color and race. The ever dynamic local government leaders who proactively responded to the needs to the residents made Gensan one of the best places to live in.

Gearing Up for the Future”

Venture into Extreme Eco Tourism Adventure

33 Japanese defense structures ( Bunkers) are found in 8 Barangays of the city, the first seat of government when Gensan was yet under the district of Glan, the historical Queen Tuna Park- our first fishport and meet our founder General Paulino t. Sants, where the name of city came from.

Go back into History and learn our roots

photo: jing velos

Greenleaf Hotel, Family country Hotel & Convention Center and Hotel San Marco are Halal- certified hotels and were confirmed Last April 2016 by no less than the former DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez in Manila during the Phil Halal Tourism Project & Madrid Fusion events. Going global, Gensan is now ready to cater to BIMP and Islamic Visitors.

Try the three (3) of Gensanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hotels that are Halal Certified Establishments

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Fifteen awesome reasons to visit Gensan in 2016…

Be counted as one of the 1.2million tourist arrivals of Gensan

The city received an award from the Department of Tourism XII, that the city ranked First among the SOCCSKSARGEN City/ Provincial LGUs in 2015 in terms of Tourist Arrival and Number of Accredited Tourism Related/Oriented Establishments (TOEs/TREs), to wit: Tourist Arrival – 1,204,459 Accredited Establishments – 43

Feast during our Festivals and Celebrations

Take part in our three major festivals and various celebrations the whole year round. . Kalilangan sa Gensan in February, Gensan Summer Youth Fest in April & May, Gensan Tri (Gensan Eco Karera Series) in June, Yaman Gensan, Tuna Festival, Tuna Congress and World Tourism Day in September , and Pasko sa Gensan in December.

Pack, roam and tour through Gensan’s Four Tour Packages

Four (4) Gensan tour packages were created to suit guests’ interests. Visitors can choose from an array of strategically grouped destinations, although special tours are often available depending on guests preferences. For more information, kindly check the CEMCDO website www.gensantourism.ph for details.

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“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

PHILIPPINE HIGH SEAS POCKET 1 OPERATIONS IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN By Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras, Executive Director-SFFAII With the opening of the High Seas Pocket 1 of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean in 2012, the Philippines has been granted fishing access as a Special Management Area in the High Seas Pocket 1 (HSP1). The area is

bounded by the EEZs of the Federated States of Micronesia to the north and east, Republic of Palau to the west, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the south.

PHILIPPINE GROUP SEINE OPERATION Philippine (PH) fishing operation is characterized by group seining using traditional ice-chilled catcher boats. Thirty-one catchers are purse seine and four are ring net catchers. A purse seine catcher has no fish hold, hauls net with power block, and with 20-25 crew on board. A ring net catcher is likewise without fish hold but hauls the net manually and with 20-45 crew. More than half of the catchers deployed in 2015 are over 100 to 200 gross tonnage. Noting the absence of fish hold, using carrier boats to brail the catch, becomes an integral part of the fishing operation. Carrier boats with 4-10 crew on board travel 4-6 days from General Santos Fish Port to the HSP1 to bring ice, fresh water, fuel, food and other provisions for the catcher and support vessels. They stay with the catcher for 1-2 weeks and carry fish caught by the catcher back to Gensan port. Carriers on the average make 2 trips in one month. Fish hold capacity for a medium size operation is about 60120mt. A catcher usually operates with 2-3 carriers.

Figure 1: Western and Central Pacific Convention Area Table 1 Tonnage Distribution of PH Deployed Catchers in HSP1 in 2015

TONNAGE GROUP

NO. OF CATCHERS

Below 100 GT

31.4

Over 100 TO 200 GT

51.4

Over 200 to 250 GT

17.2

Total

100

Source: BFAR National Marine Fisheries Development Center Observer Data

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Futureâ&#x20AC;?

Light boats are used for searching fish at fish aggregating devices (FADs) at daytime. They use lights to concentrate fish in FADs and serve as skiffs or workboats during fishing. They have no fish holds and with 3-4 crews. A catcher usually operates with 3-5 light boats to support its operation.

Table 2. Distribution by Vessel Type of PH Deployed Vessels in HSP1 in 2015

Vessel Type

Catchers

Carriers

Light Boats

Total

206

100

Source: BFAR National Marine Fisheries Development Center Observer Data

With 18 companies operating in the HSP1 in 2015, carriers and lighboats combined comprised 83% of vessels deployed.

Table 3 HSP1 Fish Production and Catch Rates from 2012 to 2015

Fishing Days

No. of PS/ RN Fleets

2012

211

9.695

2,044.77

2013

1,352

9.857

13,326.25

2014

2,670

10.728

28,632.96

2015

2,435

10.890

26,510.10

6,668

10.575

70,514.07

Total

Catch Rate per set

Total Catch (in Metric Tons)

No. of Companies

Source: BFAR National Marine Fisheries Development Center Observer Data

Table 4 Estimated Market Value of “Good” and “Low Value/Trash” Fish of HSP1

Based on Observer Data for CY 2013-June Operations 2012 to 2015 2015, PH vessels fish every 2.72 days and every setting took about an average 4 hours and 10 minutes.

LOW-VALUE/ TRASH FISH

GOOD

TOTAL

2012

1,885

160

2,045

2013

11,874

1,452

13,326

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION

2014

24,797

3,836

28,633

With PH SMA in the HSP1, maximum potential production is estimated at 32,400 metric ton annually valued at US$ 35.64 Million or Php 1.58 Billion. Based from BFAR Observer Data from 2012 to 2015, a total of 70, 514.07 metric tons were harvested with a market value estimated at US$ 89 Million. PH catchers were catching at the rate of 10.6 metric ton per set.

2015

22,931

3,579*

26,510

TOTAL (in mt)

61,488

9,027

70,514

MARKET VALUE (in US$ million)

86.2

2.49

88.69

MARKET VALUE (in Php million)

3,639.98

105.32

3,745.30

However, a notable substantial amount of poor quality fish have been observed over the years. It has been monitored that enormous volume of fish landed is spoiled/damaged and can be considered “low value/trash fish.” Low value/trash fish is commerciallyimportant food fish landed that are spoiled and/or damaged due to rough handling and poor post-harvest practices, that could still be used for industrial purposes. Despite the value adding preservation efforts applied into smoked, dried fish and fish meals, the overall results on the prices of said products are still low value produced fish. The value of recorded low value/trash fish at 9,027mt is estimated at US$2.49 million or Php 105 million. Opportunity cost of Low/Value Trash Fish for 2012 to June 2015 was estimated at Php 378 million of

*July-Dec 2015 data is projected using trash rate for Jan-June 2015 at 13.5%

US$8.6 million.

FOOD SECURITY According to “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2014” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the average per capita fish consumption is at 19.2 kilos/year. From Day 1, HSP1 operations provided protein source for 3.67 million people. The HSP1 operation is potentially a protein source for 1.7 million people annually, 3.4 times the population of General Santos City, 16.5x the population of Federated States of Micronesia and 100x the population of our neighbor Palau.

FOOD SECURITY With each group seine fleet crew on board averaging at 60, the HSP1 operations for 2015 generated direct livelihood for 2,100 Filipinos. According to “The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, for every 1 fisher in capture fishery, 4 jobs are generated in secondary activities such as value adding, canning, wholesale and retail trade. Thus HSP1 operations in 2015 has generated an estimated 8,400 jobs for a total of 10,500 jobs combined. With an average Filipino household size of 4.6 (Philippine Statistics Authority 2014 record), the operation is supporting 48,300 household members in 2015.

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PHILIPPINE HIGH SEAS POCKET 1 OPERATIONS IN THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN

IS PHILIPPINES DOING ITS FAIR SHARE OF CONSERVATION IN THE HIGH SEAS POCKET 1 OF THE WESTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN? The SMA in HSP1 is a self-inflicted measure by the Philippines. It was not imposed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. It was a Philippine proposal which was adopted in 2012 as part of the Conservation Management Measure for Tropical Tuna (CMM 2012-01). Salient features of this SMA are as follows: • PH, unlike other member countries, has vessel limit of 36 catcher vessels but since then, PH has not used up all the access. There were 35 catchers deployed in 2015. • PH, unlike other member countries, exercises tonnage limit of 250 gross tonnage. The smallest catcher vessel is at 22.63 GT and the largest at 217 GT. PH purse seines in HSP1 are relatively “mini” compared to American or European purse seine. • PH has fishing day limit of 9,846 fishing days per year. Actual fishing days used in 2015 is 2,435 and 6,668 fishing days from Day 1. • All catchers and carriers are installed with Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).

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“Philippine Tuna:

Table 3 HSP1 Fish Production and Catch Rates from 2012 to 2015

Species

HSP1 Cath Composition

PHIL EEZ Catch Composition

HSP1 Average Size

PHIL EEZ Average Size

SKJ

67.65%

38.70%

33.56

27.46

YFT

19.36%

19.76%

36.70

28.84

BET

3.26%

2.53%

42.17

24.76

MSD (OTHERS)

9.74%

39.00%

24.55

22.48

• Catchers are equipped with net with 3.5 in. mesh size, the usual mesh size being used by large purse-seine in the Asia-Pacific Region as described by FAO. • PH exercises proper entry and exit notification to nearby coastal states such as Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and Indonesia. • Ph catchers are deployed with WCPFC accredited regional observers. • PH observes 3-month FAD closure in compliance with the CMM from July 1 to September 30. Based on studies done by BFAR, in 2015 average sizes of tunas caught from HSP1 were notably bigger than those caught in Philippine EEZ. Please refer to Table 5.

Gearing Up for the Future”

In conclusion, this SMA is a conservation measure in itself. By allowing 36 fleets to fish in HSP1, we are practically easing the stress in Philippine waters. With all the foregoing in place, Philippines has demonstrated resiliency and takes pride to be a responsible fishing nation in as far as HSP1 operation is concerned.

References: Ramiscal, R., A. Dickson, I.Tanangonan, J.Jara and M.Demoos. Group Seine Operations of Philippine Flagged Vessels. WCPFC-SC12-2016/ST-IP-07. I.Tanangonan, R.B. Contreras, and A. Dickson. Status Report On The Operation Of Philippine Flagged Group Seine Vessels Operating In High Seas Pocket 1. WCPFC12-2015-DP23.

SSF on Phil Export Laboratory: Brings Convenient Laboratory Testing at an Affordable Price

By : Vanessa Claire T. Pleña Information Officer 3, DTI 12

ASec Maria Roseni Alvero, Foreign Trade Service Corps, Industry Promotions Group of the Dept. of Trade and Industry hand over Shared Service Certificate to Ms. Marife Quiam, President of Philexport 12. Guests from left Kagawad Jose Orlando Acharon, representative of Hon. Congressman Pedro B. Acharon Jr., Engr. Arnel V. Sayco, OIC, DTI General Santos City, Ms. Emma Garay and Ms. Carol deLeon,both are Board of Directors, Philexport 12.

To help its cooperator, PHILEXPORT Region 12, to bring more convenient laboratory testing services at an affordable price is what the Department of Trade and Industry aims to achieve in granting the Shared Service Facility on the PHILEXPORT Quality Control Laboratory whose expansion project was launched last July 15, 2016 at the Fish Port Complex, in Barangay Tambler, General Santos City. This is the agency’s way of showing support to the Tuna Industry. Assistant Secretary Maria Roseni Alvero of the Foreign Trade Service Corps of the Industry Promotions Group of DTI in her keynote speech during the launching said “the Shared Service Facility in the form of various laboratory equipment which totals more than P9 Million Pesos that DTI turned over to PhilExport 12 aims to fully address the Value Chain Gaps in the Tuna Industry. Perhaps, thru this, the PHILEXPORT Quality Control Laboratory can now answer for the need of testing laboratory necessary for export to Europe as it has achieved its ISO 17025 Certification.”

[

“The Shared Service Facility in the form of various laboratory equipment which totals more than P9 Million Pesos that DTI turned over to PhilExport 12...”

]

The first batch of equipment was a NEDAC Funded SSF Project composed of the following equipment: Generator, Fluorometer, Water Bath, Oven, HPLC, and Vacuum Pump were even more reinforced thru the provision of DTI 12’s SSF of Kjeldahl Digestion Unit, Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectroscopy, and UV-Visible Spectrophotometer Conductivity Meter. These have helped the PHILEXPORT Quality Control Laboratory to increase its beneficiaries/ MSME Clients from 55 to 81. And the best thing of it all is the increase in the revenue generated by the Association to about 45% from P300,000 to P500,000 after the provision of the SSF.

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Fishmeal Plants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Installation Included Since 1986, A & S Thai Works has produced and installed around 260 fishmeal plants all over Asia. We offer installation and commissioning as part of our delivery because our installation teams, with years of experience, offer a problem free and economic solution to the most critical part of the delivery: Ensuring that your plant is operational within a minimum of time, at minimum cost, and that it will stay that way for a long time.

Office in General Santos City: A & S Thai Works opened an office in General Santos City last year. Please contact our local manager, Joseph Saycon, for further information. Tel.: +63 927 528 9168 Email: josephs@asthaiworks.com

A & S Thai Works Co., Ltd., 99/199 Moo 1, Theparak Road Km 22, Bangsaothong, Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand Tel.: +66 2313 1540, Fax: +66 2313 1550, Email: sales@asthaiworks.com www.fishmealmachine.com

RD CORPORATION 1st Road, Calumpang,9500 General Santos City Philippines Phone Number (s): (63) (83) 552-4595 (63) (83) 302-4595 Telefax Number: (63) (83) 552-3590 (63) (83) 552-2743

(63) (83) 552-3767 (63)(83) 552-7628

Pilot Test of MARLIN (Electronic Logsheet) Operation in High Seas Pocket 1 Alma C. Dickson, DFT*,Marlo Demo-os*, Isidro Tanangonan*, Jeric S. Jara* and Rafael V.Ramiscal** *NMFDC, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) **Capture Fisheries Division, BFAR PCA Bldg., Elliptical Road, Quezon City, Philippines

ABSTRACT MARLIN/Electronic Logsheet terminal designed to record and transmit daily logsheet data electronically was installed to all Philippine Flagged Fishing Vessels Licensed to Operate in High Sea Pocket 1 (HSP1). This paper reports on data and information generated from the system in 2015, including vessels departure date and time, position, daily activity, catch and species composition. E-reporting approach can provide timely information that can be advantageous in generating data for immediate evaluation. Continuing effort is being undertaken to capacitate Boat Captains/Officers to sustain effective electronic data recording and its reliability.

Introduction The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean has the objective to ensure, through effective management, the long-term conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks of the Convention Area. From the start of the WCPFC Convention entered into force, scientific data has been the primary source of information in the formulation of Conservation and Management Measures. To achieve this, different data gathering scheme has been taken into force to ensure reliable data reported in the Commission such as Vessel Monitoring System, Fisheries Observer Program and Logsheet data. Before the implementation of VMS and Regional Observer Program, logsheet has been the primary source of data from vessels operating in the area. However, because of the distance of the fishing ground to port these data arrive

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weeks or months after the last data has been recorded. To ensure timely submission of data, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) initiated the e-reporting and monitoring and conducted trial test to selected fishing vessel in the region. This includes eTUNALOG system, Observer on-board data and Longline E-Monitoring Trials. Philippines, on the other hand conducted a pilot test and has integrated the e-reporting through a two-way Vessel Monitoring System to the 36 Philippine flagged catcher vessels operating in HSP1. The VMS provider through the guidance of BFAR, has developed an Electronic Logsheet program using a multifunction terminal device called MARLIN (Marine Logbook Information) attached to the vessel’s monitoring system. The device is capable of emails, sending daily activity log (fishing area, species caught and fish amount). In addition, another useful built in function is the automatic reception

Gearing Up for the Future”

of weather conditions (sea state – pressure, wind, swell) and manual typhoon alerts which are all sent from the BFAR Fisheries Monitoring Centre. This paper will describe the current status of reporting in terms of the data gathered, frequency of reporting and its reporting processes. It also suggests some improvements and capacity building initiatives to further strengthen the data quality.

Methodology The MARLIN is an electronic logbook terminal attached to vessel’s monitoring system. It was designed to report just like the usual logsheet required by the Commission. In preparation for this, representative from the VMS provider conducted several handson training on MARLIN to key personnel involved in the project such as BFAR staff and Fishing Operators in General Santos City. Follow-up trainings were also conducted to Fisheries Observers and Boat captains prior to their departure to HSP1. This will ensure that proper data

reporting will be carried out. The pilot test started last October 24, 2013 with the participation of 18 vessels out of 22 vessels; 2014, 32 out of 35 catcher vessels were piloted and in 2015, 34 vessels were piloted but only 31 vessels were able to transmit data. The minor discrepancies encountered in data transmittal from the vessels were attributed to technical defects of the MARLIN units. However, the significant results of these tests proved that electronic reporting is an effective tool in collecting and reporting of operational catch data in near real time as compared to the log sheets reporting done manually and required considerable time to gather information from the catcher vessels to the Concerned Authorities. Data is transmitted once a day which includes date, time, position, activity code. For activity code 1 or set activity, additional data is to be recorded which includes start and end of set, species caught, quantity, fate, fishhold number and carrier name used. For other activity data transmission is on the midday.

Fig. 1.Installation and trial operation of MARLIN onboard catcher vessel including VMS MTU.

Transmitted data is processed and can be accessed in the web-based application. Each vessel activity is generated and can be exported in Microsoft Excel format. Catch reporting is also generated in excel format which is automatically presented in charts and graphs based on the criteria selected. Data transmitted were consolidated and reported in terms of number of sets made, catch rate and species composition. Fig. 2.Web-based application where MARLIN data is displayed.

Results and Discussion From the start of operation from November to December 2013, 18 out of 22 operational catcher vessels were able to transmit electronic data. The other 4 vessels have malfunctioned and repair and replacement will cost enough time and cost for travel since the vessels were already in the fishing ground. In 2014, 32 out of 35 vessels was able to transmit while in 2015, a total of 31 out 34 catchers operating were able to transmit data, however there are some months that some of these vessels also failed to transmit data.

Table 1.Summary of Transmitted Catch Data in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

YEAR

No. of Vessels

2013

2,129.3

283.4

17.7

40.2

2,470.6

2014

15,729.9

2,885.2

318.1

1,104.2

20,037.3

2015

12,762.3

4,113.4

379.4

951.0

18,206.1

30,621.5

7282.0

715.2

2,095.4

40,714.1

TOTAL

SKJ (MT)

YFT (MT)

BET( MT)

OTHERS (MT)

TOTAL (MT)

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Pilot Test of MARLIN Operation in High Seas Pocket 1

Fig. 3.Species Composition reported for 2015

Fig. 4. Relative Catch Composition of Reported Catch from 2013-2015.

Data from reporting vessels shows a total catch of 18,206.10 MT in 2015. Majority of species caught is skipjack tuna at 70.10% followed by Yellowfin tuna at 22.59%, Bigeye Tuna at 2.508% and Other Species at 5.22%. Data also shows decrease in composition of Skipjack Tuna from 2013(86.19%), 2014(78.5%) and 2015(70.10) while the Yellowfin and Bigeye increases from 2013(11.47%), 2014(14.40%) to 2015(22.59%) and 2013(0.72%), 2014(1.59%) to 2015(2.08% ) respectively (Fig. 4). Other species which includes Mackerel Scad, Bigeye scad, rainbow runner, frigate tuna, bullet tuna and dolphin fish also show an increase in composition for 3 years. Average catch per set shows highest catch rate in October with 16.4 MT per set and lowest in February with 5.0 MT per set. Peak operation is also seen in January with 28 catchers operating and reporting. During this period some companies decided to cease operation and return to port. Decreasing catch from May to June is cause by some vessels exited early from HSP1 while increasing total catch from October 2015 to November 2015 is caused by high catching rate and the increase in number of vessels operating. Effort was also made to retrieve the missing data from Observer records of vessel logs. The following is the total catch from MARLIN plus logsheet data for 2015(Table 2). Table shows that around 81 percent of total HSP1 logsheet records have been transmitted through electronic reporting in 2015. It was also observed that a maximum of 6 vessels failed to transmit data. Three (3) of these vessels was not able to transmit for the entire duration of their operation in 2015.

Fig. 5. Average Catch and total number of vessels operating

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Table 2. HSP1 total catch for 2015 based on MARLIN report and logsheet supplement.

Month

"Vessel Reporting"

Actual Vessels Operating

Jan-15

914.0

191.1

5.1

233.5

1,343.7

Feb-15

487.8

126.9

6.4

117.3

738.3

Mar-15

1,086.6

336.0

76.8

204.2

1,703.5

Apr-15

1,789.9

714.7

125.3

217.7

2,847.5

May-15

1,975.0

577.4

83.7

149.4

2,585.5

Jun-15

1,653.6

769.9

90.6

49.8

2,563.8

Oct-15

2,088.7

853.0

48.7

71.5

3,061.9

Nov-15

2,836.9

824.7

27.1

45.9

3,734.6

Dec-15

2,736.3

789.9

24.1

27.7

3,578.0

15,568.7

5,183.5

487.8

1,116.8

22,356.9

TOTAL

SKJ

YFT

BET

OTHERS

TOTAL CATCH

Conclusion and Recommendation Pilot test in of MARLIN has been effective in ensuring timely reporting of logsheet data. Catch data were reported at desired timeline and consolidated immediately. Success rate of reporting for 2015 is 81 percent based on the amount of data transmitted over the actual data generated. Some field that needs improvement is to empower boat captains and fisheries observer to eliminate human errors in reporting and to ensure a daily reporting is undertaken. Basic service and repair of the MARLIN should be considered and training provided to designated onboard personnel in the event that any technical issues are encountered whilst at sea. Data reported in this paper is still to be verified and cross-check with other data source such as Fisheries Observer data and Logsheet data submitted by the concerned fishing company. Recent development is to upgrade the MARLIN data terminal into a wireless tablet (bluetooth connection) transmitting via same VMS unit.

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Constraints and portfolio

effect on a multi species and multigear FAD fisheries

in the Philippine tuna fisheries Layman’s summary Constraints are factors that influence fishers’ effort allocation on utilizing FADs. It include time (fishing days, travel time), operational factors (fuel, ice, crew), strategic investments (boat and gears), distance to fishing ground and the other extrinsic factors such as landing site, infrastructures within the site, available biomass of target species and management regulations for the fishing fleet which are variables that may limit or enhance the fishing effort of fishers. To investigate these underlying constraints, we used factor analysis and further determined the relationship of constraints with standardized catch using regression. We also related standardized catch and revenues to distance using linear models and generalized additive model. Our data were derived from interviews with FAD fishers from Mati, Lupon, Governor Generoso and General Santos City (n=229). Our study revealed three overarching constraints on fishers decision-making on where to fish mainly available biomass represented by catch rates (34%), operational factors represented by engine size and crew (28%) and time constraints represented by total fishing days,

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average fishing days and % gear soaked (17%). The results of multiple linear regression removed the socioeconomic indicator wealth in explaining catch with operational cost, crew and total fishing days as main predictors of catch (R2=74.55%). Interestingly, crew was related to catch, with handlines showing positive relationship between increasing number of crews while for ringnets and purse seines, increase of number of crews did not further increase amount of catch. Direct comparison of catch of different gears show that purse seine catch 1448kg/100hp/day which had the highest catch followed by handlines 267kg/100hp/day and ringnet 246kg/100hp/day and then the ‘small lines’79kg/100hp/day (R2=42%). The examined catch per species categories show increasing available biomass to the gears with distance. Similarly, revenues per species categories appear to increase with distance. A portfolio effect can be observed in the fisheries as shown by persistent catch of other non-economically important species nearshore. There appears an evidence that fishers are motivated by economic incentives to fish offshore to recoup costs of fishing, travel time and labor costs.

Gearing Up for the Future”

Edison D. Macusi1,* Paul Van Zwieten1, Ricardo P. Babaran2, Wolf M. Mooij3 Institutional Affiliation: 1= Aquaculture and Fisheries Group, Wageningen University P.O. Box 338 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands 2= College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Miag-ao Ilo-ilo 3= Aquatic Ecology Group, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands

Corresponding author: Edison D. Macusi Aquaculture and Fisheries Group, Wageningen University P.O. Box 338 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands e-mail: edison.macusi@wur.nl

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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

“KALUSUGAN MO

sagot ko.” The Citra Mina Group of Companies (CMGC) in partnership with the Brgy. Council of Barangay Fatima, General Santos City and other support groups celebrated the opening day of a five month long “Kalusugan mo, sagot ko” feeding program. The said feeding program is sponsored by Citra Mina Canning Corporation (CMCC), Mommy Gina Tuna Resources, Inc. (MGTRI), PhilFresh Corporation (PFC) and Tuna Explorers Inc. (TEI) all member companies of CMGC. The program was realized through the initiative of Dr. Brick Carlo Mirabueno, husband of Ms. Jillian Karen L. Mirabueno one of the Top Management of CMGC. The program aims to help the targeted children by providing them nutritious supplemental food stuff so they may be able to meet their dietary needs as a child. The intended beneficiaries of the program are the One Hundred Sixty Four (164) malnourished children as identified by the barangay health unit. Coincidentally, these same children come from very poor families who does not have enough financial capacity and basic health consciousness which hinders them from attaining healthy lifestyle.

The program started with an invocation given by one of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars present and then follows the opening remarks and welcome address by Brgy. Captain Jocelyn Matobato. The activity proceeded with a brief health and nutrition orientation provided for by the CMGC through the company nurse, Mr. Shane Albert Cueme, RN. The activity is also graced with the presence of Ms. Jannah Krystia H. Lu, Vice-President for Finance, Logistics and HR of CMGC who also gave a short message. This program is actually just one of the many efforts of the CMGC which forms part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, but the company does not stop and this would never be the last. Access or the provision of nutritious food and healthy well being is a universal right of all children regardless of race, gender and socio-economic status, in fact it is included as one of the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDG’s) set forth by the United Nations (UN), signed, adhered to and promoted by member countries of which Philippines is one. The CMGC is one of the companies here in General Santos City who takes part, exerts effort and advocates the protection and preservation of children’s rights, to help the most vulnerable sector of the society through small yet noble way. The CMGC will not just feed and fill the stomach of those children for a few months, but the company hopes to give them the opportunity in life. Like all social problems, every small thrust for the achievement of a solution or the betterment of a situation is very important, because when someone starts caring and sharing, everything else starts falling into place like in a domino effect and everything becomes better and brighter.

Working Committees EXECUTIVE

CONGRESS PROGRAM & RESOLUTIONS

Chairman Members

Joaquin T. Lu (CMSG) Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras (SFFAII) Dominic Salazar (THIDCOR) Richie Rich T. Tan (SAFII) Marfenio Y. Tan (SAFII) Neil G. del Rosario (RRFC) Engr. Ginalyn Fe C. Cachuela (ADPO PMU) Maria Cora C. Tito (LGU-GSC, CEMCDO) Sol Mananquil (Mt. Sabrina) Bing Cariño (GENSAN Artists Ass’n) Mike Esponilla (GENSAN Artists Ass’n) Arnel V. Sayco (DTI) Christi L. dela Rosa (DTI) Isidro “Jun” Uy (TVC) Police Senior Supt Maximo Layugan (GSCPO) Oscar Reyes (SOCOPA Security Agency) Isidro Lumayag (CHL) James Damalerio (DFCTV) Dino Barrientos

FINANCE Chairman Members

Dominic Salazar (THIDCOR) Richie Rich T. Tan (SAFII) Meriam L. Buguis (Q&T Minds) Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras (SFFAII) Ginalyn Fe C. Cachuela (ADPO PMU) Riza Marie Paches (LGU-GSC, CEMCDO) Sammy Malvas (BFAR) Charles Pesodas (LGU-GSC,CEMCDO) Willie Guerra (LGU-GSC,CEMCDO) Ronan Villagonzalo (LGU-GSC, SP) Merlinda Donasco (LGU-GSC, City Agri)/ Diosdado Cequiña (LGU-GSC, City Agri) Shalimar S. Abdurahman (SFFAII) Annie Cabreros (PHILBEST) Dino Barrientos (UFLA) Mary Ann Ricablanca (DTFI) Marife Quiam (Phil Cinmic Corp) Alma Dickson (BFAR Central Office) Raffy Ramiscal (BFAR Central Office) Paris Ayon

SOUVENIR PROGRAM Marfenio Y. Tan (SAFI) Neil G. del Rosario (RRFC) Kenrick G. Teng (TSPMI) Virgie A. de Dios (SFFAII)

Chairman Members

Ginalyn Fe C. Cachuela (ADPO PMU) Merianne R. Bedrejo (ADPO-PMU) Orvill M. Gamayon (ADPO-PMU) Adam Ibrahim Canape (ADPO-PMU)

TRANSPORTATION

PUBLIC RELATIONS/ INFORMATION

Chairman Members

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Dominic R. Salazar (THIDCOR) Jose Carlito Briones (THIDCOR)

“Philippine Tuna:

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Maria Cora C. Tito (LGU-GSC, CEMCDO) Charles U. Pesodas (LGU-GSC, CEMCDO)

18th NTC Working Committees SECRETARIAT & DOCUMENTATION

VIP RECEPTION

Chairman Members:

Chairman Members

Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras(SFFAII) Shalimar S. Abdurahman (SFFAII) Virgie A. de Dios (SFFAII) Peche V. Abellana (SFFAII) Christina Y. Cañete (SFFAII) Juetchin C. Andagan (SFFAII) Arlie M. Nava (SOCOPA) Armando C. Pastrana (SOCOPA)

FOOD & DRINKS

SECURITY Chairman Members

Police Senior Supt Maximo Layugan (GSCPO) Oscar Reyes (SOCOPA Security Agency) Lourdes Villacampa Jojo Sendico (SOCOPA Security) Armando C. Pastrana (SOCOPA) 1002nd Brigade, 10ID, PA 705th Naval Reserve Squadron General Santos City Police Office Joint Task Force Gensan 12th PCAS, Aviation Security Group Regional Protection and Escort Unit 12 Leo Sua Ronald de Varaz

SPORTS & GAMING Chairman Members

Isidro “Jun” Uy (TVC) Dino Barrientos (UFLA) Ma. Cora Tito (CEMCDO) Allan Punay (ATO) Dante Fernandez (ATO) Cheryl Ann R. Paradiang (TVC) Ma. Cristina A. Abulag (TVC) Marfenio Y. Tan (SAFII) Domingo T. Teng (TSPMI)

Isidro Lumayag (CHL) James Damalerio (DFCTV) Dino Barrientos (UFLA)

Chairperson Sol Mananquil (Mt. Sabrina) Members Virgie A. de Dios (SFFAII) Arlie M. Nava (SOCOPA) Rosalia Polito (Jams Restobar)

VENUE & PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENT Chairperson Bing Cariño (GENSAN Artists Ass’n) Member Mike Esponilla (GENSAN Artists Ass’n)

EXHIBIT Chairman Members

Arnel V. Sayco (DTI) Christi L. dela Rosa (DTI) Marvin Genita (DTI) Peche V. Abellana (SFFAII)

CARAVAN Chairman Dino Barrientos (UFLA) Members: Arlie M. Nava (SOCOPA) Virgie A. de Dios (SFFAII)

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San Andres Fishing Industries, Inc.

SOCSKSARGEN ADP Board ( 2 0 1 6 )

SEC. Emmanuel F. Piñol

Secretary, Department of Agriculture Chairman

GOV. EMMYLOU TALIÑO-MENDOZA North Cotabato Province Vice-Chairman

M E M B ER S GOV. DATU PAX S. MANGUDADATU Sultan Kudarat

GOV. DAISY AVANCE-FUENTES South Cotabato

GOV. STEVE CHIONGBIAN SOLON Sarangani Province

MAYOR RONNEL C. RIVERA General Santos City

DIR. ARTURO G. VALERO NEDA XII

DIR. CARLENE COLLADO

OIC - Regional Director, DA-RFO XII

DIR. REYNALDO TAMAYO, SR. DPWH XII

DIR. IBRAHIM K. GUIAMADEL DTI XII

DIR. DATU TUNGKO SAIKOL DENR XII

DIR. NASSER M. MUSALI DAR XII

DIR. REYNALDO BUNGUBUNG DILG XII

CAPT. ANTONIO BUENDIA, JR. Director General, CAAP

MR. LUIS CUISON

Port Manager, PPA-PMO SOCSARGEN

ATTY. RAUL JOSEFINO MIGUEL President, GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

MR. MARTINIANO MAGDOLOT

Executive Director , Mahintana Foundation

MGEN. EDMUNDO R. PANGILINAN Division Commander, 6th ID, PA

MAJ. GEN. RAFAEL VALENCIA Division Commander, 10th ID, PA

ENGR. GINALYN FE C. CACHUELA Project Manager Project Management Unit

FRIENDS OF TUNA INDUSTRY Wire Rope Corp of the Phils. St. Elizabeth Hospital, Inc Trinity Homes Industrial Corporation Thunnidae Ventures Corporation Training Center of Mats College of Technology Celebes Canning Corporation Emperador Distillers, Inc./Carlo Rossi Distillers, Inc. General Tuna Corp GenSan Water Resources, Inc. Ocean Canning Corp Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Phils., Inc. Philbest Canning Corp Rugela Fishing Ind., Inc Amadeo Fishing Corp Seatrade Canning Corp 98 |

“Philippine Tuna:

Gearing Up for the Future”

FRIENDS OF TUNA INDUSTRY

Sta. Cruz Seafoods, Inc. South Cotabato Integrated Port Services, Inc. Gladery Fishing, Inc. Phil. Cinmic Industrial Corporation Ten Point Manufacturing Inc. San Miguel Brewery, Inc. Southern Mindanao Commodity Inc. San Lorenzo Ruiz Fishing Inc. Alliance Tuna International, Inc. General Santos City Chamber of Commerce Ind., Inc. South Cotabato Purse-Seiners Association (SOCOPA) RA Fishing, RLG Fishing Ind., Inc. NH Agro Industrial Corporation Golden Genesis Marine Resources Corporation 1 8 th N a t i o n a l T u n a C o n g r e s s

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PH OTO O P S

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17th NATIONAL TUNA CONGRESS

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PH OTO O P S

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17th NATIONAL TUNA CONGRESS

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PH OTO O P S

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A C K NOW LED GME N T STI College of GenSan Golden State College Holy Trinity College 1002nd Infantry Brigade, 10ID, PA 12th PCAS, Aviation Security Group General Santos City Police Office Joint Task Force GenSan PNP Regional Office (PRO) 12 Regional Protection and Escort Unit 12 SOCOPA Security Agency, Inc. CAAP General Santos City GenSan Water Resources Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources General Santos City Local Government Unit 1st Congressional District of South Cotabato & General Santos City City Economic Management & City Development Office (CEMCDO) Department of Trade & Industry SOCSKSARGEN ADPO PMU GenSan Artists’s Association GenSan Water Resources

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