16th National Tuna Congress

COVER PAGE

CONTENTS CONGRESS HOST 02

European Commission endorses PHL application for GSP+

30

Fishery trends and abundance of tuna stocks in Region 12

HOST CITY 04

32

Relative abundance of skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the Moro Gulf (Philippine Region 12)

CONGRESS SCHEDULE 06

36

08

Regional Cooperation to Improve Fisheries for Food Security

44

CONGRESS RESOLUTIONS MESSAGES

11-23 Photo from Edwin Espejo

CONGRESS SPEAKERS 26

SFFAII UPDATES

88

ACKNOWLEDGMENT 116 WORKING COMMITTEES 118

Pilot Test of MARLIN (Electronic Logsheet) Operation in High Seas Pocket 1 46 Analysis of Purse Seine/Ring Net Fishing Operations in 50 Philippine EEZ Sea Resources Explored by the Young Generals 7 ways with canned tuna

64 66

CONGRESS HOST SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) a non-government, non-profit organization, established in 1999 as an umbrella organization of 7 associations with 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 group, small, medium & large commercial ring netters and purse seine operators, to the fish processing sector serving the local, domestic and export market composed of the big canning

SFFAII OFFICERS 2011-2013 MR. JOAQUIN T. LU President

MR. DEXTER G. TENG

1st Vice President & Director

MR. ANDRESTINE T. TAN 2nd Vice President & Director

MR. JOSE EMMANUEL M. SANTOS Secretary & Director

ROY C. RIVERA

Treasurer & Director

MR. DANILO E. CAPAROS Auditor & Director

operators, fresh chilled and frozen processors and the tuna value adding sector. It is based in General Santos City governed by a Board of 14 Directors.

The Executive Director, Rosanna Bernadette Contreras supervise the day-to-day operations and advocacy work of the Federation.

The vision-mission of the institution is “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-opetition, collaboration, equality and social responsibility.

DIRECTORS

MR. JERRY C. DAMALERIO MR. BENEDICTO GRANFON MR. RAUL GONZALES MS. HERMINIA B. NARCISO MR. MARIANO M. FERNANDEZ MR. RAMON M. MACARAIG MS. EVELYN CHIU MS. SOLEDAD MANANQUIL ROSANNA BERNADETTE CONTRERAS Executive Director

Past Presidents:

Marfenio Y. Tan, 2005 - 2011 Domingo T. Teng, 1999 - 2005

The member-associations Southern Philippines Boat Owners and Tuna Association (SPBOTA) South Cotabato Purse Seiners Association (SOCOPA) Umbrella Fish Landing Association (UFLA) Chamber of Aquaculture and Ancillary Industries of Sarangani, Inc. (CHAINS) Tuna Canners Association General Santos (TCAGS) Fresh Frozen Seafood Association - Tuna Processors Philippines, Inc. (FFSA-TPPI) Tuna Cooperative of General Santos City (Tuna Coop)

02

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

MESSAGE FROM THE CONGRESS CHAIRPERSON

Shared responsibility has its manifestation that dates back to as early as 1949, where tuna and other fish were described as “of common concern” by reason of continued use by the parties involved. Recent state practice supports the concept of “common concern” as acknowledge in the Climate Change Convention, wherein, the “change in the Earth’s climate and its adverse effects are a common concern of humankind”. The Biodiversity Convention legally binds its signatories to uphold the “common concern” that is the preservation and conservation of biodiversity.

Year after year, the National Tuna Congress has been promoting sustainable tuna fishing, responsible resource management, and a resilient tuna industry. It has been consistently urging and supporting harmonized tuna fishery management at the local and international levels and instrumental in forging partnerships that has resulted to documented improvements in tuna industry and resource protection. The collaborative efforts and participation of relevant organizations have taken significant strides in enforcing sustainable tuna fishery management.

This year’s theme, “Shared resources, Shared responsibility” is very timely to scale up our cause – to harness local or regional efforts and foster a single, collective and global strategy; to align our plans and specific steps with internationally recognized programs; and to be more ambitious and ensure that what we do now in the preservation of our marine resources can be passed and enjoyed by many generations to come.

Reaching a global scale of tuna fishery management is indeed daunting for it would require more than getting comprehensive and scientific studies into gear, or innovating more profitable business plans, or even laying down new policies and regulations towards conserving our tuna stock.

In behalf of the SOCSKSARGEN Fishing Federation and Allied Industries Incorporated, may I just say that it is our honor and pride to once again host the NTC in its 16th year. With the leaders and key players of relevant sectors present, may we all become resolute in giving our share of responsibility in sustaining the Tuna Industry.

Mabuhay Kitang Tanan!

JOAQUIN T. LU Chairman

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

03

HOST CITY General Santos City Philippines

 3-4 hour �ying �me from major capitals of the

ASEAN region;

City Profile Date of Creation Enabling Law Income Class City Income No. of Barangays Population No. Household Pop. Growth Rate Labor Force Land Area Location

 Around 1 hour and 30 minutes from Manila by air

Profile

: July 8, 1968 : Republic Act 5412 : Highly Urbanized : PhP 1.24 Billion : 26 : 538,086 : 115,235 : 5.15 : 98,491 : 53,606 hectares : Southern Mindanao

and

 2 hours , and 30 minutes from Davao City by land

Brief History General Santos City started off as Pres. Manuel L. Quezon's dream se�lement area for farmers. On February 27, 1939, Gen. Paulino Santos of the Na�onal Land Se�lement Authority (NLSA) led 62 pioneers in opening the fer�le lands for agriculture. As the se�lement's economy grew and diversified, it became known a�er its founder, General Santos and also for its corn, coconut, livestock and tuna industry. As more investors came in, the geographic loca�on, promising agriculture and fishing industry and strong local government unit (LGU) encouraged foreign donors to provide technical and infrastructure development assistance.

SUPPORT FACILITIES

Air The General Santos Interna�onal Airport is the largest airport in Mindanao.

It has a 3,227-metre concrete runway capable of handling wide-bodied jets like Airbus A340 and Boeing 747-400.

Flights to and from Manila and Cebu ci�es are currently being operated in the airport,

by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air, servicing an ever increasing demand in the volume of both passenger and cargo traffic of the city and SOCCSKSARGEN region.

Sea The Makar Wharf is located approximately 2 km away from the central business district. With a 740-metre docking length and a 19metre width, the wharf can accommodate up to nine (9) ship berthing posi�ons all at the same �me. The port is complete with modern facili�es like container yards, storage and weighing bridges to name a few. Several shipping companies operate regular inter-island ferry service to and from other major ports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Land Commu�ng in and around General Santos City is a fast and convenient ride. More than 400 passenger buses and jeepneys wield routes within the city and neighboring provinces.

Three-wheeled motorized cabs known as tricycles are the city's main mode of public transport and have been on the road since the pioneering �mes. Aircondi�oned taxis also play the city streets offering commuters a choice of a more comfortable mode of transporta�on.

Communica�on Modern and state-of-the-art communica�on facili�es at par with global standards are readily available and are provided in General Santos City by major telecommunica�on companies in the country namely: PLDT/Smart, BayanTel, Globe. These include voice, data, internet and network solu�ons, among others, in both wired and mobile forms.

V is it

04

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

GENSA N P h i l i p p i n e s

MESSAGE FROM THE HOST CITY CITY MAYOR

Warmest greetings!

In behalf of the people and the City Government of General Santos, I extend my warm welcome to the participants, delegates, guests and visitors to this year’s 16th National Tuna Congress.

The theme “Shared Resources, Sharing Responsibilities” comes at the time world tuna production is still coping with the many issues of tuna fishing, one that includes protecting a declining and threatened resources.

The Philippines, as one of the country’s leading tuna producers, is not impervious to the situation that is threatening the global tuna fishing industry. We have seen our tuna catches dramatically and significantly reduced at the turn of the millennium.

While the Philippine tuna industry has been resilient and has been able to cushion the effects of rising production costs, competition, declining catches and shrinking fishing grounds, we still have to do our share in protecting the resources of the oceans. We have to share responsibilities with the rest of the world as we find solutions and adopt measures so that we will continue to enjoy nature’s bounty.

We call on the captains of the industry, the tireless workers and fishermen who made sacrifices to bring the tuna industry to where it is today, to be at the forefront as we look to the past in building the future of the tuna fishing industry.

The tuna industry built this city as the country’s Tuna Capital. It is but proper that we carry the load in ensuring that tuna fishing will remain sustainable activity and continue to be a source of opportunity for the people and this country.

The city and its people, including stakeholders in the industry, are ready and willing to face and take this challenge. Again, my salute to all!

HON. RONNEL C. RIVERA

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

05

CONGRESS SCHEDULE

S E P T E M B E R 4 - 5 , 2 0 1 4 - S M G E N E R A L S A N T O S T R A D E H A L L S , G E N S A N C I T Y, P H I L S .

7:00 - 10:00 AM

16th NTC Caravan GENSAN Fishport (Assembly Area)

Topic 4: General Santos City Local Government Unit Initiatives Towards Tuna Fishery Sustainability

HON. BRIX Y. TAN

City Councilor, GSC-LGU

10:00 AM

Opening of the Trade Exhibit

Open Forum

7:00 PM

Welcome Dinner Party Pandan Ballroom Green Leaf Hotel, GSC

THURSDAY, 04 September 2014

10:00 AM- 1:00 PM Early Registration

11:00 AM-12:00 NN Press Conference

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Opening Ceremonies

Invocation/ National Anthem

LOCAL GOVERNMENT CITY CHOIR

Opening of the Congress MR. JOAQUIN T. LU Chairman, 16th National Tuna Congress

Welcome Address HON. RONNEL C. RIVERA City Mayor, General Santos City

Friday, 05 September 2014 9:00-9:20 AM Topic 5: Sustainability Initiatives in Mindoro

and Lagonoy Gulf

MS. JINKY RABANO

Owner & Quality Assurance Manager, Jarla

Trading-Partner Exporter of PPTST 9:20-9:40 AM Topic 6: Tuna Handlining in the Western and

Central Pacific Ocean

MR. JOAQUIN T. LU

Chairman

Citra Mina Group of Companies

Introduction of the Guest of Honor

HON. PEDRO B. ACHARON JR.

Representative, 1st District, So. Cotabato

9:40-10:00 AM Open Forum

Keynote Address 10:00-10:20 AM Coffee Break

HON. CYNTHIA VILLAR

Senator and Chairman, Senate Committee on 10:20-10:40 AM Topic 7: Tuna Fishery and Climate Change

Agriculture & Food

DR. CESAR VILLANOY

Marine Science Institute, University of the

Topic 1: Market Prospects of Halal Tuna in the Philippines-Diliman Middle East

MR. GIL HERICO 10:40-11:00 AM Topic 8: ASEAN Regional Approach to

Philippine Agriculture Attache, UAE

Sustainable Growth

Topic 2: Current Developments in Indonesia’s MR. COREY PEET Tuna Fishing Industry

Consultant, USAID Maximizing

DR. IR. SANTOSO, M.PHIL

Agricultural Revenue through Knowledge,

Director General-Fisheries Product Processing Enterprise Development and Trade Project

and Marketing, Ministry of Marine and

(MARKET)

Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia

11:00-11:20 AM Open Forum

Topic 3: US FDA and Tuna: HACCP and Automatic Detention – the New Paradigm 11:20-11:40 AM Topic 9: Proper Tuna Handling

MR. DAN BROOKS

MR. WORAWIT WANCHANA

Director

Head, Capture Fisheries Technology

Regional Director, Applications Technology Division-SEAFDEC

JBT FoodTech Asia-Pacific

06

16

th

N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

11:40-12:00 NN

Topic 10: Conservation of Neritic Tunas DR. CHUMNARN PONGSRI Secretary-General, SEAFDEC

4:00 - 6:00 PM

Closing Ceremonies

12:00-12:20 PM Topic 11: Impact of ASEAN Integration to Asian

Tuna Trade

MS. FATIMA FERDOUSE

Chief, Trade Promotion Division, INFOFISH

Reading of the 16th NTC Resolutions

MR. DOMINIC SALAZAR

Chairperson, Program & Resolutions Committee

12:20-12:40 PM

Open Forum

12:40-1:30 PM

Lunch Break

1:30- 1:50 PM Topic 12: Fishery Trends and Abundance of

Tuna Stock in the Moro Gulf,

Estimates of Depletion Due to Fishing

and Maximum Sustainable Yield

MR. KEITH BIGELOW

Fisheries Scientist, National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) United States, Department of Commerce 1:50 - 2:10 PM Topic 13: Latest Tuna Stock Assessment in the

Western and Central Pacific

Convention Area

DR. SUNGKWON SOH

Science Manager, Western and Central

Pacific Fisheries Commission 2:10 - 2:30 PM

Special Message HON. PROCESO J. ALCALA Secretary, Department of Agriculture

Closing Remarks

MR. DEXTER G. TENG

Vice President, SFFAII

7:00 PM Farewell Cocktails

SM 3rd Floor Opposite Trade Hall

Open Forum

2:30 - 2:50 PM Topic 14: Benefiting from Innovations in

Sustainable and Equitable Tuna

Management in the Coral Triangle

and Western Pacific

MR. SIMON BUSH

BESTTuna, Wageningen University 2:50 - 3:10 PM Topic 15: Tuna Traceability and Philippine

National Plan of Action for IUU

Fishing

ATTY. ASIS G. PEREZ

Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 3:10 - 3:30 PM 3:30 - 4:00 PM

Presentation of Conference Resolutions MR. JOAQUIN T. LU Chairman, 16th National Tuna Congress

Sept. 1, 2014 - Opening of the All About Tuna Pavilion 2014 Sept. 1-3, 2014 - National Stock Assessment Program Workshop Sept. 3, 2014 - Tuna Industry Fishery Profile

- Distribution and Abundance of Fish Eggs and Larvae of Tuna and Tuna-like species in relation to Oceanographic Conditions in Lagonoy Gulf Sept. 4, 2014 - Early Life History of Tuna and Tuna-Like Species

- Traditional and Modern Fishing Methods

- Careers in the Fishing Industry Sept. 5, 2014 - BFAR Scholarships

Open Forum Coffee Break Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

07

16th NATIONAL TUNA Series of 2014

1

Resolution expressing appreciation and gratitude to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the issuance of the Fisheries Administrative Order on the Regulations and Implementing Guidelines in Handline Fishing Operations in the high seas of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s Convention Area

2

Resolution requesting the Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Santos City to expedite the approval of proposed Ordinance No. 2014-1018 entitled, “An Ordinance Creating a City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Office (CFARO), providing for its powers and functions, and for other Purposes”

3

Resolution supporting the Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 9910, Series of 2014 entitled, “Urging the coastal barangays and inland fishing communities of General Santos City to establish and/or reactivate their Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (BFARMCs), for sustainable fishery at the barangay level

4

08

16

th

Resolution supporting the 1st MSME Regional Congress Resolution No. 1, Series of 2014 entitled, “Urging the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to Ensure Prioritization of the Availability of Reliable Power Supply in Region 12 while Establishing Control Mechanisms to Safeguard Power Rates Affordability to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Area

5

Resolution requesting the Department of Agriculture to create a Highly Migratory Fisheries Management Division Under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

6

Resolution requesting the Department of Budget and Management and the House of Congress for the approval of the PhP 959 Million budget proposal of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for the the construction of a new passenger terminal building and other facilities at the General Santos City Airport in CY 2015

N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

7

Resolution requesting the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to craft and implement a separate Circular on Minimum Safe Manning Specifically for Fishing Vessels

8

Resolution requesting the Department of Transportation and Communications to include the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. as member of the Board of the Maritime Industry Authority

9

Resolution requesting the Department of Agriculture to include the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. as member of the Board of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority

10

Resolution reiterating the request of the tuna industry for the issuance of the Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9379, otherwise known as the “Handline Fishing Law” by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and other concerned agencies

11

Resolution reiterating the request of the tuna industry to review the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 224 on “Establishment Of Tuna Productivity Project (TPP) In Davao Gulf” and subsequently identify and designate other areas as Exclusive Fishing Grounds for Handline Fishing

12

Resolution reiterating the request of the tuna industry for the issuance of the Executive Order by the Office of the President creating a Philippine Committee for the advancement of highly migratory fisheries

13

Resolution reiterating the request of the tuna industry for the concerned agencies of the Philippine Government to rationalize the Cabotage Provisions of the Republic Act 1937 and other related issuances

14

Resolution requesting both Houses of Congress to ensure the safe and free movement of fishing vessels in the Bangsamoro Waters without additional cost in the Bangsamoro Basic Law Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

09

MALACAÑAN OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

My warmest greetings to the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc. (SFFAII), as you hold your 16th National Tuna Congress.

Recent events beckon us to reassess progress along the paradigms of sustainability, resilience, and global competitiveness. Gatherings such as yours ensure that we are attuned to the challenges of our respective sectors, and are equipped to maximize the opportunities before us. May your dialogue result in concrete `‘advances in the tuna industry as it fosters greater collaboration among your stakeholders and provides insights into the market’s direction. Let this undertaking guide your exploration for successful and sustainable practices and impress upon you the diverse roles needed in safeguarding our share of the ocean’s bounty.

The promise of lasting peace in the Southern Philippines presents a new chapter for our countrymen: Development may finally dock in resource-rich Mindanao and create ripples of growth in our communities. As we navigate our way towards this vision, may we remain united in our mission to empower Filipinos and steer our nation forward.

May you have a dynamic and enlightened congress.

BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

11

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES VICE-PRESIDENT

My warmest greetings to the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc and congratulations on the holding of the 16th National Tuna Congress and Trade Exhibit!

As one ofthe World’s leading exporters of tuna, the Philippines has a big stake in the conservation of our marine resources for us to continue enjoying the bounty of the sea. This year’s theme, “Shared Resources, Shared Responsibility,” highlights your commitment in leading the Filipinos towards the proper management of these natural resources.

I commend all the men and women of SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. for convening the stakeholders of the tuna industry in this national congress and trade exhibit. l pray that you will attain all the objectives you have set for this event.

Mabuhay kayong lahat!

JEJOMAR C. BINAY

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

13

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SECRETARY

My warmest congratulations to SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries (SFFAII) for once more successfully organizing the 16th National Tuna Congress.

Much aware of the many victories that the tuna fishing sector had achieved as well as the many trials it had to go through, we in the DA are proud to be part of the tuna industry that for the past decades has symbolized the dynamism, innovativeness and resilience of the Philippine fishing industry. For despite the challenges that continue to hound our tuna fishing industry today, the Philippines remains a major tuna producer in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), with an estimated total catch of 330,010 MT as of 2011.

Your theme for this year, “Shared Resources, Shared Responsibility,” reflects the firm resolve of both the government and the private sector to hurdle these challenges. I particularly congratulate our government and tuna industry leaders for last year’s successful negotiations with the Tuna Commission for the country’s continued fishing access to tuna-rich high seas pocket 1 (HSP1) for three more years.

Yet this victory should never lull us from decisively addressing the central problem that drives our tuna fishers farther offshore to other countries’ fishing grounds, and that is the continued depletion of our tuna stocks. We have to meet the challenge of maintaining the sustainability of the tuna industry by seeking new and more effective ways of managing our fishing grounds and by complying with the globally accepted fishing rules and regulations. In this regard, may I remind you of our commitment to cooperate with the EU in its fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and avoid being blacklisted, by not getting involved in IUU fishing in the fishing grounds of other countries.

Together with the continuing efforts of the DA and the tuna industry to enforce proper fishing practices and innovative management of fishing grounds, our “sharing of resources and responsibilities” with our neighbors will ensure the long term sustainability not only of the Philippine tuna industry and Gen San’s economy, but also of the whole fishing industry in the Philippines and the Pacific.

Mabuhay ang masaganang industriya ng tuna at pangisdaan sa Pilipinas at sa buong daigdig!

PROCESO J. ALCALA

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

15

MINDANAO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CHAIRPERSON

Magandang GenSan! Let me extend my warmest congratulations to the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing & Allied Industries Inc. for holding the 16th National Tuna Congress & Trade Exhibit, with the theme “Shared Resources, Shared Responsibility.”

I am pleased to note that you have chosen a theme that recognizes our accountability in the sustainable management of the world’s tuna stocks – the source of strength of our tuna industry, which is considered as one of the major economic drivers of the region and the entire country as well.

Three years ago, fishing in the high seas was temporarily closed to protect tuna stocks and allow the species to produce maximum sustainable yield.

However, it caused disproportionate burden to the industry, leading to a slump in its performance and adversely affecting the region’s economic growth. We collaborated as public and private sector partners to appeal to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) that imposed the ban.

Through our sustained representations to the WCPFC—with strong commitment from the private sector—we have been granted access to High Seas Pocket 1 under the Conservation Management Measure (CMM) for the past two years now.

We are fortunate to have been given once again the CMM 2013-01, a 3-year measure that provides Philippine traditional fresh/ice-chilled fishing vessels access to High Seas Pocket 1 (HSP1) from 2014 up to 2017.

The access has allowed our tuna industry to bounce back, once again making significant contribution to the region’s economic growth. While we reap the fruits of a thriving industry, we must not forget that we continue to hold the responsibility over the state of the marine resources that we rely on for our industry’s growth.

Therefore, I would like to invoke your awareness and commitment to comply with the Conservation Management Measure. Let us do our share in protecting the viability of these migratory fisheries because they are not only our shared resource, they are also our shared responsibility.

As we have exhibited the past many years, let us continue to strengthen our collaboration as partners for the welfare of the tuna industry, because only through working together will we attain industry goals and reap more successes.

SEC. LUWALHATI R. ANTONINO Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

17

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE & INDUSTRIES SECRETARY

Our warmest greetings to the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) as you conduct the 16TH National Tuna Congress at the SM Trade hall, SM City, Gen. Santos City on 04-05 September 2014.

Tuna fishing has gone a long way from the prevailing livelihood activity in the early 1900s among Filipino fishers mostly in the South. The Japanese regime in 1942 to 1944 saw the start of commercialized tuna fishing, but it was American demand in 1950s that brought US canneries to venture into the local fishing industry. This made Zamboanga the tuna hub up to the late 1970s at which point it was superseded by General Santos City from where Japanese traders bought sashimi-grade tuna.

The Philippine became NO. 1 tuna producer in Southeast Asia in the 1980s with the introduction of payao or bamboo raft, a fish aggregating device. Shortly thereafter, however the tuna produce of Philippine waters started to decline; thus Filipino fishing companies ventured into international waters, joining the ranks of the US, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China.

The theme of this 16th Congress – “SHARED RESOURCES • SHARED RESPONSIBILITY” – underscores the need for international cooperation in the face of our limited water resources. Towards this end, we commend the SFFAII membership and all tuna industry stakeholders and various industry partners from the country and abroad as you pursue your collaboration with national government agencies and local government units to continue addressing vital industry issues and concerns. We are confident that through our continuing joint effort, the Philippine tuna industry will be able to gain mileage in its bid to achieve higher levels of productivity and global competitiveness.

The Philippine government, through the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), has assumed shared responsibility in boosting the tuna industry as it is among the priority industries under the National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (NICCEP) expected to increase their economic contributions in terms of investment generation, exports expansion, job creation and MSME development. Recently, the DTI has installed a shared service facility (SSF) at the General Santos City Fishport Complex – an upgraded Quality Control Laboratory dedicated to the analysis of fishery products for exports including tuna.

To the SFFAII, our best wishes for a successful and productive 16th Congress.

Mabuhay!

GREGORY L. DOMINGO

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

19

BUREAU OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC RESOURCES DIRECTOR

First of all, allow me to express my sincerest gratitude to SFFAII for playing a big role in the continuous success of Ahon! Rehabilitation Initiative, a partnership our organizations committed into so as to help the fishing communities ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda get back on their feet and start anew. The strongest typhoon ever recorded, has strengthened the cooperation between the government and the private sector even more.

SFFAII has been and is still being a channel through which more of our partners and friends in the private sector are able to contribute to the faster recovery of the fisheries sector. We are and will always be confident in your unwavering support.

As you may already be aware, we were able to negotiate for our country’s continuous access to the tuna-rich high seas pocket 1 (HSP1) for the next three years. It was in December 2013 when the extension of our fishing access to HSP1 was granted by the Tuna Commission during the 10th Regular Session of the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Cairn, Australia. We are glad that the Philippines’ commitment to ensuring long-term sustainability of highly migratory fish stocks has been recognized by the international body. For more than two years now, Philippine flagged vessels have been given permission to go fishing in HSP1. We salute everyone for this accomplishment. We hope that this will serve as motivation for our stakeholders to always adhere to responsible fishing practices.

The theme for this year’s National Tuna Congress, “Shared Resources. Shared Responsibility,” is a timely reminder amidst the challenges that continue to confront the Philippine fisheries sector and the tuna industry in particular. Indeed, we all share the same responsibility to protect and conserve the marine resources we have and share not only with our fellow Filipinos, but also with other nations of the world. The constant threat of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUUF) intensifies our staunch advocacy for sustainable fishing which should always be the core of the fisheries sector. As we enjoy the developments we see in the industry and the economy at large, brought about by our abundant harvests and gainful exports, we are called to work hand in hand to fight human activities which threaten our rich marine environment. On our end, you may rest assured that the Philippine government through the DA-BFAR is working incessantly to ensure that all fish and fishery products that touch and leave our shores do not come from IUUF. We congratulate SFFAII for 16 years of upholding relevance in issues affecting the fishing industry through this annual gathering. The National Tuna Congress is a testament of our shared commitment to address immediate concerns in the sector, which has always led to great improvements in our systems and policies. May our combined efforts persist towards a long-standing, thriving Philippine tuna industry.

Thank you very much and we wish you a productive and wonderful stay in General Santos City.

Mabuhay!

ATTY. ASIS G. PEREZ

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

21

Republic of the Philippines HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

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

Since its inception, SAFFII has its own share of trials from simple to complicated. As an industry with major economic relevance both in national and local level, concerns and issues that it confronts affect not only the investors but also the people whose livelihood depends upon fishing. Regardless of the degree of difficulty, everybody was at the losing end.

However, for most people, challenges define the spirit for the strong in heart. Rather than giving way to such an unfortunate events, the industry held on strong to its ground, to what it believes and to what t it believes that will benefit the people. SFFAII’s resilience is a testament that fishing is a way of life that must be protected and defended at all times.

On its 16th 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 high 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. Hence, shared market, shared responsibility.

More power to SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc.!

PEDRO B. ACHARON, JR.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

23

CONGRESS SPEAKERS

MR. GIL HERICO

DR. IR. SANTOSO, M.PHIL

MR. DAN BROOKS

Philippine Agriculture Attache, UAE

Director General-Fisheries Product Processing and Marketing, Ministry of Marine and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia

Regional Director, Applications Technology JBT FoodTech Asia-Pacific

Tel. Nos. 62-21-3500187

Market Prospects of Halal Tuna in the Middle East Middle East is one of the developing regions worldwide in terms of retail trade particularly the food market. UAE and Qatar is both in the Top 10 World’s richest countries. As of 2013, the GDP/ Capita of the United Arab Emirates is $65,000 with an average of $40,000 annually. On the other hand, Qatar is ranked at Number 3 with a GDP/ Capita of $99,000. In spite of the global economic condition that hit the region in 2009, there was a boost in the retail food sales. A special food preference of locals and expatriates of Tuna are either fresh for fine dining or grilled as well as canned and processed tunas for sandwiches and salads.

With the increasing number of OFW’s and expatriates in the ME region with their common preference in the consumption of seafoods in particular Tuna either fresh, grilled, processed – the upcoming events, Dubai Expo 2020 and Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, the region is foreseeing an increase in demand of Tuna.

24

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

Current Development of Tuna Fisheries in Indonesia Tuna is one of the largest fishery products in Indonesia besides shrimp, milkfish, catfish and seaweed. Tuna exports from Indonesia are mostly to Japan and to other countries such as European Union, United state of America, Australia and Asia. Indonesian tuna production in 2013 reached 1.070.090 tons and the total volume exports was 764.791 tons.

US FDA and Tuna: HACCP and Automatic Detention – The New Paradigm This presentation will cover recent changes in the US Food and Drug Administration’s (US FDA) regulations and how these changes are impacting the tuna industry. It will discuss FDA’s specific concerns with tuna which, if not addressed properly can lead to automatic detention of tuna imports. To mitigate FDA’s concerns with tuna, the new thinking in tuna HACCP programs will be discussed.

Tuna processing industry in Indonesia is increasing rapidly, and within national regulation the implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is mandatory to improve the competitiveness and to develop value-added products.

Moreover, the provision of raw materials tuna for processing industry is important in order to sustain the tuna processing industry in Indonesia.

Therefore, Indonesia government tightened fishing industry, distribution and marketing of tuna aims to fishery plays important role in socio-economy development in Indonesia. Tuna is one of the major fisheries product; including shrimp, milkfish, catfish and seaweed. Destination of products are to Japan, Asia, Eropa, America and to other countries.

MS. JINKY RABANO Owner & Quality Assurance Manager, Jarla Trading-Partner Exporter of PPTST

Sustainability Initiatives in Mindoro and Lagonoy Gulf

HON. BRIX Y. TAN

MR. JOAQUIN T. LU

DR. CESAR VILLANOY

City Councilor, Chairperson, Committee on Fisheries, Marine Life, and Aquatic Resources General Santos City- Local Government Unit

Chairman, Citra Mina Group of Companies

Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines-Diliman

Tel. No. (+63+83) 554-1800 (+63+83) 554-1801

Tuna Fishery & Climate Change

brixtan.gensan@gmail.com

General Santos City Local Government Unit Initiatives Towards Tuna Fishery Sustainability The Local Government of General Santos City – the Tuna Capital of the Philippines – continues to strengthen and develop its fishing and tuna industry and provide support and assistance to its fishing stakeholders, fishworkers, and fisherfolks.

Government efforts are directed in several fronts that include, among other, the crafting of more responsive policies, establishment of appropriate government offices or agencies to ensure more effective and efficient delivery of services, institutionalization of community councils and people’s organizations, and implementation of community information and education campaigns/programs.

The city government works together and partners with several national government agencies, the private stakeholders, and the fishing communities to guarantee sustainability of its tuna and fishing industry and effective management of its fisheries/aquatic resources.

Tuna Handlining in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean In this report, Tuna Handlining in the Western and Central Pacific, following will be briefly presented: fishery spatial and gear information such as fishing grounds, fleet and landing sites; fishery species information and its marketing and trade; Socio-economic aspect of the WCP tuna handline fishery; fishery impact on stock status; fishery management, legal and policy framework for the management of handline fishery in WCP; Summary of issues in the management of handline fishery in the region; and Sustainable alternatives and opportunities for the handline fishery in the region.

MR. COREY PEET Consultant, USAID Maximizing Agricultural Revenue through Knowledge, Enterprise Development and Trade Project (MARKET)

ASEAN Regional Approach to Sustainable Growth

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

25

CONGRESS SPEAKERS

DR. SUNGKWON SOH Science Manager, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission PO Box 2356, Kolonia, Pohnpei 96941 Federated States of Micronesia Phone: +691-320-1992

Latest Tuna Stock Assessment in the Western and Central Pacific Convention Area

MS. FATIMA FERDOUSE Chief, Trade Promotion Division, INFOFISH

Impact of ASEAN Integration to Asian Tuna Trade

26

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

MR. WORAWIT WANCHANA Head, Capture Fisheries Technology DivisionSEAFDEC

DR. CHUMNARN PONGSRI Ph.D. Secretary-General, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC)

Proper Tuna Handling

Conservation of Neritic Tunas

Only premium quality of tuna will make the better price in the market.

Proper handling methods for tuna catch onboard are significantly important as the starting point to obtain good quality resulting in high price of fresh and frozen tuna products. The quality of fish is generally determined by using two main categories, including biological factors (size, species, and stage of maturity) and non-biological factors (fishing gear and practices, onboard fish handling, and chilling system/ methods).

As neritic tuna resources are trans-boundary in nature, the SEAFDEC Council during its 45th Meeting in 2013 expressed the need to establish regional and sub-regional cooperation to ensure sustainable utilization of the resources. Following to the directives of the SEAFDEC Council, SEAFDEC in collaboration with its Member Countries organized a series of events to identify prioritized issues that need to be undertaken at national and regional levels, in order to provide a basis for development of the Regional Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Neritic Tunas (RPOANeritic Tuna). The Draft RPOA-Neritic Tuna was subsequently developed, with objectives of: 1) Determining available data and information, improving data collection and developing key indicators; 2) Improving sustainable fisheries management; 3) Improving sustainable interaction between fisheries and marine ecosystem; 4) Improving compliance to rules and regulations and access to markets; 5) Social issues; and 6) Regional cooperation.

After development of the RPOA-Neritic Tuna, activities would proceed with the establishment of the Scientific Working Group in order to develop strategic plan as well as relevant SOP and tools to support data collection and stock assessment; and the conduct of HRD programs to enhance the capacity of the relevant countries in the implementation of the RPOA-Neritic Tuna in the future.

For yellowfin and bigeye tunas over 25 kilograms size, catching by handliner and long-liner, appropriate ways of post-harvest preservation methods and techniques (clubbing, killing, tail cutting, removal of nervous system, bleeding, gutting and gilling, washing and lowering the temperature, chilling, storing, transporting, etc.) will result in high-grade quality and higher its value.

MR. KEITH BIGELOW

MR. SIMON BUSH

Fisheries Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-United States Department of Commerce

Associate Professor, Environmental Policy Group, Wageningen University

Fishery Trends and Abundance of Tuna Stock in the Moro Gulf, Estimates of Depletion Due to Fishing and Maximum Sustainable Yield

Benefiting from Innovations in Sustainable and Equitable Tuna Management in the Coral Triangle and Western Pacific

The presentation covers the examination of BFAR NSAP’s (National Stock Assessment Program) obtained data on fishing effort, catch composition by species and size to characterize trends in effort and catch rates for commercial handline, purse seine and ringnet fisheries operating in Region 12.

NSAP Sampling from 2005 to 2012 and trends in abundance are compared for each species through the percentage difference between the initial three years in the timeseries with the last three years will be discussed.

This presentation provides an overview of the ongoing research of the international BESTTuna programme. In this programme we are combining the results of eight PhD projects across the Philippines, Indonesia and the Western Pacific, to understand how public and private management approaches are working in combination to incentivising change towards sustainable tuna production. In short, what incentives are created, by who, and how do they lead to changes in fishing practices towards more sustainable production?

ATTY. ASIS G. PEREZ Director, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Tel. No. (+632) 929-8074

Tuna Traceability and Philippine National Plan of Action for IUU Fishing This presentation spells out the agency’s substantial progress in pursuing the sustainability of the Philippine tuna industry. It lays down the DA-BFAR’s strong commitment in deterring and preventing IUUF. It started with the presentation of the Philippine tuna fisheries profile followed by the current status of Tuna production and trade in the country. Furthermore, it discusses in detail the Unveiling of trends and prospects for as well as the National government support to the industry. Most importantly, it bares the primary measures and Actions of the Philippine government against IUUF which includes the adoption of the National Plan of Action (NPOA) which was signed as Executive Order No. 154 by President Benigno Aquino III in December 2013. Through the said NPOA, the country has clearly defined its positive response to the challenges brought by IUU fishing. With traceability becoming an important tool to ensure consumers that the product they eat is safe and to guarantee regulators of the legal and sustainable origin of our tuna products, the DA-BFAR is optimistic that it will be able to strengthen its fisheries inspection capacity which is substantial to the execution of a fully functional traceability and catch certification systems.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

27

FEATURED ARTICLES

European Commission endorses PHL application for GSP+ The European Commission (EC) intends to favorably endorse to the European Union parliament the Philippines’ application for Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+).

“We thank the European Commission for their positive assessment of our application. This is a step forward in a stringent process. We hope that before the year ends, the PH application will be approved by the EU parliament,” Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. said.

Based on a review of the Philippine application, the EC assessed that the Philippines has met eligibility criteria for GSP+. In particular, the note verbale from the EC cited that the country has ratified and is implementing international conventions required for inclusion in the GSP+ program.

“We have been intensifying efforts to secure the GSP+ approval from the EU Parliament as part of the PH strategy to increase trade with the EU. We have been meeting and communicating as well with Philippine embassy officials in Europe to strengthen our campaign for the GSP+ application,” Cristobal said.

GSP+ is a program under the EU Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheme that offers preferential tariffs to exports from eligible countries in the form of zero tariffs on all products covered by the scheme. The Philip-

pines is already a beneficiary of the GSP scheme which provides for reduced tariffs or zero tariffs to a limited number of products. Once PH application to GSP+ is approved, PH exporters will enjoy zero tariffs on all products covered by the scheme including big ticket items that the Philippines is currently exporting under the regular GSP which include animal/vegetable fats and oils, prepared foodstuff, machinery and mechanical appliances; chemical products, textiles and garments, and plastic products.

“On the domestic side, we shall convene the PH task force for GSP+ to ensure that our industries are ready to take advantage of GSP+ market access, once approved. This includes technical assistance and capacity building for Philippine exporters to Europe, through the EU’s Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) Project.

We also need to identify trade barriers

that our exporters are facing, among others,” Cristobal added.

Cristobal added that increased exports to EU as a result of the GSP+ scheme will translate to enhanced production capacity. Based on consultations with exporters last year, GSP+ could generate additional 270,000 jobs in both agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

GSP+ offers a more generous scheme of preferences and has a larger coverage of 6,274 products, all of which are subject to zero duty. Sectors with the highest preferential margins between general GSP and GSP+ are prepared foodstuffs (9.3%), garments (9.0%), textile products (5%), live animals and animpa products (4.2%) and footwear, headwear and umbrellas (4%).

Published: 21 July 2014 http://www.dti.gov.ph/

S S I EM

ION

EQ

UI

O C S

N E PM

D L O C

O R T N

I L E TR

R R CO

A E R LA

Y T I L ABI

N O I OS

Shell Marine Products

YOU CAN RELY ON SHELL MARINE PRODUCTS TO HELP OVERCOME CHALLENGES

For more information visit www.shell.com/marine or email to isaias.culanag@shell.com

FEATURED ARTICLES

ringnet fishery.

•

Yellowfin tuna (82.9%) and blue marlin (11.3%) dominate handline landings. Skipjack (55.6%) and yellowfin tuna (15.0%) dominate purse seine landings. Skipjack (43.6%) and yellowfin tuna (12.9%) also dominate ringnet landings, but there is a higher composition of coastal Auxis and Decapturus species than purse seine landings.

•

The status of the bigeye tuna stock is a concern for the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Bigeye tuna represent a small proportion of the catch from handline (2.8%), purse seine (1.8%) and ringnet (1.0) in the Philippines Region 12 fisheries.

Fishery trends and abundance of tuna stocks in Region 12 Keith Bigelow (NOAA Fisheries, USA), Elaine Garvilles and Noel Barut (BFAR/NFRDI, Philippines)

Catch rates or nominal catch per unit effort (CPUE) relate to fishing performance of a vessel. Since nominal CPUE is estimated as kgs per fishing day, the interpretation of CPUE can be confounded by several factors such as vessel efficiency, seasonality, fishing areas within Region 12, and the availability of fish into Region 12 that may be affected by fishery depletion from other fisheries in the Western Pacific or affected by the environment (El Nino/La Nina).

The commercial handline, purse seine and ringnet fisheries based in General Santos are sampled by port samplers from the BFAR National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP). Port samplers obtain data on fishing effort, catch composition by species and size from the General Santos City Fish Port Complex to characterize trends in effort and catch rates for the three fisheries operating in Region 12. The handline fishery targets large yellowfin tuna aggregating around ‘payaos’ while the purse seine and ringnet fisheries target schools of juvenile schools of smaller pelagic fish in surface waters.

The following characterizes average 32

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

fishing effort, catch and species composition based on NSAP sampling from 2005 to 2012 (Tables 1 & 2).

•

Fishing effort is highest in the handline fishery averaging 9,247 days per month in comparison to less effort for the purse seine (~400) and ringnet fishery (519).

•

Days per trip averaged 22.9 days in the handline fishery and are similar for the purse seine (3.8) and ringnet (3.3) fishery.

•

Catch per day was lowest for the handline fishery (~108 kgs), highest for purse seine (8,632 kgs) and intermediate (4,920 kgs) for the

Fisheries scientists used statistical methods to estimate ‘relative abundance’ or ‘standardized CPUE’ for species by removing the effects due to vessels and seasonality for yellowfin tuna in the handline fishery (Figure 1) and skipjack tuna in the purse seine and ringnet fisheries (Figures 2 &3).

Trends in abundance are compared for each species by characterizing the percentage difference between the initial three years in the time-series with the last three years (Table 3).

•

Yellowfin tuna caught in the handline fishery –abundance of yellowfin increased from 2004 to 2007, was depressed during 2008 and 2009, and rebounded slightly with a period of stability from 2010 to 2012. A similar trend was evident for blue marlin.

The increase in nominal catch rates for yellowfin and blue marlin from 2004 to 2007 may be related to increased vessel efficiency, such as vessels (pumpboats) having an increasing number of pakura with time. Thus the increasing catch rate is not related to yellowfin tuna abundance, but rather vessels catch more fish while fishing with more pakura.

The declines in 2008 and 2009 are not well understood, but may be related to a cessation in fishing access in Indonesia and/ or environmental affects and further investigation is required.

There was little difference (+1.0%) in standardized CPUE in 2010-2012 compared to 20042006.

•

•

Skipjack tuna in the purse seine fishery – abundance of skipjack was stable from 2005 to 2009 and declined during 2010 and 2011. Catch rates and abundance were at low levels during 2011 and substantially rebounded in 2012. There was moderate decline (-19.2%) in standardized CPUE in 20102012 compared to 2005-2007 for skipjack tuna and also yellowfin tuna (-40.2%).

Skipjack tuna in the ringnet fishery – abundance of skipjack was highly variable from 2006 to 2009, which is probably due to low port sampling coverage, rather than actual trends. Port sampling increased for the ringnet fishery from 2010 to 2012 and catch rate trends were similar to the purse seine fishery where catch rates and abundance were at low levels during 2011 and rebounded in 2012.

Figure 1. Nominal and standardized CPUE for yellowfin tuna caught by handline vessels in Region 12 from 2004 to 2012.

Figure 2. Nominal and standardized CPUE for skipjack caught by purse seine vessels in Region 12 from 2005 to 2012.

Figure 3. Nominal and standardized CPUE for skipjack caught by ringnet vessels in Region 12 from 2005 to 2012.

This information is part of a larger BFAR NSAP Technical Report on fishery trends in Region 12 and estimates of Maximum Sustainable Yields which will be completed in the near future.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

33

Fishery trends and abundance of tuna stocks in Region 12 Table 1. Average effort and catch estimated by NSAP port samplers for the for the handline, purse seine and ringnet fisheries in Region 12 from 2005 to 2012.

Handline

Purse seine

Ringnet

Percent (%)

Purse seine

Percent (%)

Yellowfin tuna (tambakol/ bariles )

82.9%

15.0%

12.9%

Blue marlin (marlin/malasugi)

11.3%

Bigeye tuna (tambakol/ bariles)

2.8%

1.8%

1.0%

Albacore (bariles)

1.7%

Skipjack tuna (gulyasan)

55.6%

43.6%

Auxis rochei(tulingan)

11.3%

14.3%

Decapterus macarellus(burot)

9.4%

18.3%

+58.6

Auxis thazard(tulingan)

4.5%

6.3%

Euthynnus affinis (katchorita/ tulingan)

1.1%

1.6%

1.3%

2.0%

Ringnet

Number of trips per month

417

111

159

Number of days per month

9,247

400

519

22.9

3.8

3.3

Catch (mt) per month

1,013

4,235

2,016

Catch (kgs) per day

107.8

8,632

4,920

Days per trip

Table 3. Percentage change in species abundance from 2005-2006 to 20102012 for handline, purse seine and ringnet fisheries operating in Region 12.

Species

Percentage change in relative abundance Handline

Skipjack tuna Yellowfin tuna

Purse seine -19.2%

Ringnet

+1.0%

-40.1%

-0.2%

+25.7%

-50.0%

-19.5%

Auxis sp

-76.0%

-87.2%

Decapterus macarellus

+29.5%

+96.7%

Bigeye tuna

Table 2. Average species composition (%) estimated by NSAP port samplers for the handline, purse seine and ringnet fisheries in Region 12 from 2005 to 2012.

Species

Other

Handline

1.3%

Percent (%)

ADVERTISEMENT

BC TAECHANG INDUSTRIAL CORP.

Petrolatum Tape for Corrosion Protection

ISO 9001 CERTIFIED

www.unilox.com

Philippine­based company established in 1974 engaged primarily in the manufacture of industrial chemicals and sacrificial anodes for cathodic protection. Diversified its businesses in 1988 under one company to engage in trading, marketing, distribution and providing services that compliment its primary product lines.

Head Office General Santos Office Branches: 194 M. Concepcion St. San Joaquin, Cebu Dr. 10 LBD Bldg. L. Dacera Sr. Ave., City Heights, Pasig City General Santos General Santos City Tel No.: (+632) 641­1001 to 04 Zamboanga Telefax No.: (+6383) 554­2274 Fax No.: (+632) 641­1005

FEATURED ARTICLES

Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE TENTH REGULAR SESSION Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 6 -14 August 2014

Keith A. Bigelow2, Elaine Garvilles3 and Noel Barut3 PIFSC Working Paper WP-14-005.

Issued 16 July 2014.

2 NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA 3 National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, BFAR, Philippines 1

REFERENCES BAS. 2011. Fisheries Statistics of the Philippines.

2008-2011. Volume 19. Fisheries Statistics Division, BAS, Dept. of Agriculture, Quezon City, Philippines. 404p.

NFRDI. 2012. Philippines tuna fisheries profile.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Fisheries Research and Development Institute Republic of the Philippines and Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. 84p.

Philippines 2013. Annual report to the Commission, Part 1: Information on fisheries, research, and statistics, WCPFC-SC9-2013/CCM–19, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, 6–14 August 2013.

R Development Core Team (2008). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.

ISBN 3-900051-07-0, URL http://www.R-project.org.

36

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

Relative abundance of skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the Moro Gulf (Philippine Region 12) Introduction There are six tuna species that 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.

Estimating tuna fisheries catch in the Philippines has been historically difficult due to the country having large and diverse fisheries that operate at thousands of domestic landing sites as well as purse seine fisheries that operate on the high seas and foreign EEZs. These large and diverse fisheries pose particular challenges for accurate data collection. Since 1987, the official fishery statistics for the Philippines have been compiled by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS). Estimates are based on probability (stratified random sampling by data collectors) and nonprobability (interviews by regular BAS staff) surveys, supplemented by secondary data from administrative sources such as landings sites and ports. Annual Fisheries Statistics for commercial, municipal, inland and aquaculture sectors are published for three year time frames, most recently for 2008–2011 inclusive (BAS 2011), and include volume and value of production by province and by region, information on fish prices and foreign trade statistics. Tuna fisheries data are collected by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and within BFAR; the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) collects data on species composition, length frequency, vessel catch and effort data from key tuna landing ports around the country. Increased port sampling coverage has occurred through support from the West Pacific East Asia Oceanic Fisheries Management Project (WPEA-OFMP) which started in 2010.

From 2008 to 2012, the total tuna catch by Philippine vessels (handline, purse seine, ringnet and municipal fisheries) in the Convention Area averaged 275,603 mt (Philippines 2013) and represented ~11% of the entire catch in the WCPF Convention Area. Catch by Philippine vessels was highest at 360,187 mt in 2008 and declined precipitously to 192,956 mt in 2011.

The composition of oceanic tuna species by weight has remained fairly stable and averaged 62.6% skipjack, 35.0% yellowfin and 2.4% bigeye from 2008–2012. Within the WCPF Convention Area, Philippine flagged purse seine and ringnet vessels have operated within the Philippines EEZ, international waters typically referred to as High Seas pocket #1 and the EEZs of PNG and recently in the Solomon Islands under access arrangements. There has been a shift in the production by fishery sector from 2008 to 2012 as the Philippine bilateral purse seine fleet increased their catch from 16% to 27% of the total with corresponding declines in the domestic purse seine fleet from 61% to 16% and municipal fisheries from 36% to 21%.

The objective of this study was to utilize NSAP data to estimate relative abundance or standardized CPUE for tuna species in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) in southern Mindanao for use in the 2014 WCPFC skipjack and yellowfin assessments. This study produced monthly relative abundance indices for yellowfin tuna in the handline fishery and skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the purse seine fishery. A technical report will be produced that contains a larger scope of additional species and inclusion of the ringnet fishery. Bigeye tuna indices were not incorporated into the WCPFC assessment, as they are non-informative due to relatively low catch levels in the Philippines. Unlike many other purse seine fisheries, bigeye tuna identification problems are negligible in the Philippines due to the reliability of the BFAR NSAP catch composition data from port sampling.

National Stock Assessment Program protocols, sampling coverage rates, 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 follows the NSAP protocol where sampling is conducted every third day regardless if the sampling day is on the weekend or a holiday. 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: 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 Collected data are submitted monthly by the Project Leaders or Assistant Projects 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 available 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’.

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.

The NSAP sampling was initiated in 1997, though sampling was sparse for several

Table 1. Mean operational and catch characteristics for handline (5,523 trips) and purse seine (594 trips) fisheries operating Region 12 based on BFAR NFRDI monitoring.

HANDLINE (2004– 2012)

PURSE SEINE (2005– 2012)

Number of trips per month

417

111

Number of days per month

9027

400

Days per trip

22.9

3.8

Catch (mt) per month

1013

4235

Catch (kgs) per day

107.8

8632

Gross tonnage (GT)

108.1 (33 vessels)

Figure 1. Monthly handline effort in the Philippine Region 12.

Table 2. Year effects (relative abundance) for species in the handline fishery in Region 12 based on standardized CPUE analysis. The mean is 1.0, thus values <1.0 indicate lower abundance in a particular years while values >1.0 indicate higher abundance. A value of 1.01 for yellowfin in 2004 would indicate a 1% increase in abundance for 2004 as compared to the average from 2004 to 2012. The percentage increase from 2010–2012 is compared to 2004–2006 based on the year and month effects from the standardized CPUE analysis.

2010–2012 compared to 2004–2006

Year Species

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Yellowfin tuna

1.01

0.99

0.8

0.98

1.14

1.15

1.08

0.90

0.94

+1.0%

Table 3. Year effects (relative abundance) for species in the purse seine fishery in Region 12 based on standardized CPUE analysis. The mean is 1.0, thus values <1.0 indicate lower abundance in a particular years while values >1.0 indicate higher abundance. A value of 0.82 for skipjack in 2005 would indicate a 18% decrease in abundance for 2005 as compared to the average from 2005 to 2012. The percentage increase from 2010–2012 is compared to 2005–2007 based on the year and month effects from the standardized CPUE analysis 2010–2012 compared to 2005–2007

Year Species

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Skipjack tuna

0.82

1.19

1.10

1.25

1.13

0.91

0.48

1.12

-19.2%

Yellowfin tuna

0.88

1.41

1.31

1.30

0.94

0.86

0.47

0.83

-40.1%

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

37

Relative abundance of skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the Moro Gulf (Philippine Region 12) years. Analyses considered handline from 2004–2012 and purse seine and ringnet from 2005–2012. With WPEA-OFMP funding, sampling of unloaded vessels to total vessels has especially improved during 2010–2012. Overall coverage prior to 2010 was 13%, 6% and 3% in the handline, purse seine and ringnet fishery, respectively. Overall coverage improved to 30%, 11% and 8% in these fisheries during 2010–2012.

Figure 2. Monthly yellowfin tuna catch in the Philippine Region 12 handline fishery.

Vessel name entries in the NSAP database were particularly problematic due to multiple spellings for a unique vessel. No quality control was attempted for the handline fishery. Quality control for purse seine and ringnet 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 113 to 77. An attempt was made to assign a Gross Tonnage (GT) to each vessel from the BFAR licensing database in order to characterize fishing efficiency; however there were problems in linking vessel names between databases.

Statistical methods to estimate species relative abundance

Figure 3. Monthly nominal CPUE (kgs/day) for yellowfin tuna in the Philippine Region 12 handline fishery.

Trip sample data were used to estimate fishing effort and catch of individual species. Catch rate or nominal catch per unit effort (CPUE) is the catch divided by fishing effort and relates to fishing performance of a vessel. Since nominal CPUE is estimated as kilograms per fishing day, the interpretation of CPUE can be confounded by several factors such as vessel efficiency, seasonality, fishing areas within Region 12, and the availability of fish in Region 12 that may be affected by fishery depletion from other fisheries in the Western Pacific or affected by the environment (El Niño/La Niña) etc.

Statistical methods are used to estimate ‘relative abundance’ or ‘standardized CPUE’ by removing effects due to vessel, seasonality (i.e. month) and area. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used to estimate relative abundance. The GLM predicts mean catch (µi) using four categorical variables with a log link as follows: log(µi ) =Yeari + Monthi + Areai +Vesseli + log(Efforti ) where Year is the mean local abundance or year effect, Month is the month effect, Area is the area effect, Vessel is the vessel effect (vessel name) and offset Effort is the number of days during fishing trip.

Since some species may have instances of zero catch per month, a GLM with a negative binomial distribution was used to accommodate zero observations. The GLMs were fit in R (R Development Core Team, 2008, version 2.7.2 for Linux) with a MASS library. GLMs were initially fit with the Year effect and then with sequential addition of other explanatory variables. Model selection was based on the Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC, Schwarz 1978). Relative abundance of each species was calculated from the GLM results using the ‘predict.glm’ routine by exponentiating Year and Month effects 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. Trends in relative abundance were compared for each species by characterizing the percentage difference between the initial three years in the timeseries with the last three years. For example, abundance was compared from 2010–2012 to 2004–2006 for the handline fishery and 2010–2012 to 2005–2007 for purse seine and ringnet fisheries.

38

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

Figure 4. Monthly relative abundance for yellowfin tuna in the Philippine Region 12 handline fishery as determined by Generalized Linear Models (GLMs). Effects in GLMs are Year and Month (black line), Year, Month and Vessel (blue line), Year, Month and Area (red line) and Year, Month, Vessel and Area (grey line). Each series is normalized to a mean value of 1.0.

Figure 5. Comparison of monthly nominal CPUE and relative abundance for yellowfin tuna in the Philippine Region 12 handline fishery. Each series is normalized to a mean value of 1.0.

Model results of the GLM analysis are provided in Appendix 1. Relative abundance trends were mostly based on the inclusion of Year, Month and Vessel effects. The inclusion of an Area effect did not constitute much explanatory power within the statistical analyzes because there was little contrast in the declaration of area fished thus Area as currently declared is not very informative. There were 14, 7 and 7 area designations in the database for the handline, purse seine and ringnet fisheries, respectively; however 93 to 98% of the trips were represented by three areas. Moro Gulf dominated the location of declared fishing trips (87% handline, 83% purse seine), followed

by Moro Gulf/Centro (6% handline, 2% purse seine) and Mati (3% handline, 8% purse seine). For the purse seine fishery, a subset of consistent vessels was used to illustrate CPUE in comparison with fleet-wide estimates. Vessels conducting 10 or more trips were considered consistent vessels.

Handline fishery trends – effort and yellowfin catch Figure 6. Monthly purse seine effort in the Philippine Region 12.

Figure 7. Monthly catch of all species in the Philippine Region 12 purse seine fishery.

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) comprised ~82.9% of the handline catch from 2004–2012 and typically varies between 80 to 90% annually (NFRDI 2012). The remainder of the catch is composed of blue marlin (Makaira mazara, ~11.3%), bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus, ~2.8%), albacore (Thunnus alalunga, ~1.7%) and other species of <1%. Monthly trends in effort, catch, nominal CPUE and relative abundance for the handline fleet based in General Santos City are illustrated in Figures 1–5. There are no estimates for months when sampling did not occur; therefore gaps exist in the effort, catch, nominal CPUE and relative abundance time-series. Handline effort averaged ~9,000 boat days per month (Table 1) and generally ranged from 5,000 to 15,000 days (Figure 1). Effort during 2006 to mid-2009 was higher than from mid-2009 until the end of 2012. Handline effort averaged 23 boat days per trip, although there has been an increase over time due to vessels traveling further away from port in an attempt to obtain higher catch rates and/or the use of larger vessels that can remain at sea for longer durations. Handline catch of yellowfin tuna averaged ~820 mt per month from 2004–2012 with low catches in years 2005, 2009 and 2012 (Figure 2).

Handline species trends – yellowfin nominal CPUE and relative abundance Monthly yellowfin tuna nominal CPUE for the handline fleet averaged 89 kgs per boat day and fluctuated from 36 to 171 kgs per boat day (Figure 3). The CPUE increased from 2004 to 2007, declined precipitously from 2008 until the end of 2009, rebounded strongly in 2010, followed by a decline in 2011 and a period of stability in 2012. The GLM analysis considered four models based on effects of: 1) Year and Month (Figure 4 black line), 2) Year, Month and Vessel (Figure 4 blue line), 3) Year, Month and Area (Figure 4 red line) and 4 Year, Month, Vessel and Area (Figure 4 grey line). Results (Appendix 1) and diagnostics indicated that models based on Year, Month and Vessel and Year, Month, Vessel and Area were statistically preferred.

The trends were similar for both models from 2004 to 2011 and only diverged in 2012.

Inspection of the Area declaration indicated that Moro Gulf was declared from 2004 to 2011, but in 2012 there was a shift in declaration to Moro Gulf/Centro. Considering that the Area effect in 2012 reflects different recording and not an actual spatial shift in area Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

39

Relative abundance of skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the Moro Gulf (Philippine Region 12) fished, the trend based on Year, Month and Vessel (Figure 4 blue line) is considered the most representative to illustrate relative abundance for yellowfin tuna.

In comparison between nominal CPUE and relative abundance (Figure 5), the relative abundance trend has less variability and generally follows the trend in nominal CPUE except in 2010 and 2011 where relative abundance is more pessimistic. While the GLMs included a Vessel effect, in reality the relative abundance trend may be biased because the analysis doesn’t adequately quantify efficiency for each handline vessel. Consider that nominal CPUE increased for both yellowfin tuna (Figure 3) from 2004 to the end of 2008. The increase in CPUE may be related to increased vessel efficiency, such as handline vessels having an increasing number of pakura or small pump boats which were introduced in 2005. Thus the increasing CPUE and relative abundance, may in reality relate to vessels with more pakura catching more fish per boat day. The declines in 2008 and 2009 are not well understood, but may be related to a cessation in fishing access in Indonesia after July 2005 and/or environmental affects and further investigation is required.

Figure 8. Monthly skipjack tuna catch in the Philippine Region 12 purse seine fishery.

Figure 9. Monthly yellowfin tuna catch in the Philippine Region 12 purse seine fishery.

The GLM handline results for Year effects are illustrated in Table 2.

In characterizing the initial three years in the time-series (2004–2006) with the last three years (2010–2012), there was little difference (+1.0%) in relative abundance for yellowfin tuna. It should be noted that the estimated increases are largely contingent on assuming that the GLMs have adequately estimated effective handline effort. If vessel efficiency has increased with time and not quantified by the GLMs as postulated due to increased pakura usage especially after 2005, then the percentage increases are biased upwards and will be too optimistic.

Purse seine fishery trends – effort and catch Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) comprised the majority (~55.6%) of the purse seine catch from 2005–2012. The remainder of the catch was composed of yellowfin tuna (~15%), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei, 11.3%), mackerel scad (Decapterus macarellus, 9.4%) frigate tuna (Auxis thazard, 4.5%), bigeye tuna (1.8%), eastern little tuna (Euthynnus affinis, 1.1%) and other species of 1.4%. Monthly trends in effort, catch, nominal CPUE and relative abundance for the purse seine fleet based in General Santos City are illustrated in Figures 6–14. Purse seine effort averaged ~400 boat days per month (Table 1) and generally ranged from 100 to 1,500 days (Figure 6).

Effort during 2005 to 2009 was slightly higher than in all years and effort from 2010 to 2012 has been relatively stable. Purse seine catch of skipjack and yellowfin averaged ~2,255 and ~634 mt per month, respectively. From 2005 to 2012, there was a decline in purse seine catches of skipjack (Figure 8) and yellowfin (Figure 9).

Figure 10. Monthly nominal CPUE (kgs/day) for all species in the Philippine Region 12 purse seine fishery.

Appendix 1. Results for Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) applied to species in the handline, purse seine and ringnet fisheries. Model selection is based on the percent deviance explained ((null devianceresidual deviance)/null deviance ) and Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC).

Percent deviance explained with predictor variables Handline fishery, 5,523 trips

Year and month

Yellowfin tuna

Year, month and vessel

Year, month and area

Year, month, vessel and area

4.3%

58.6%

5.4%

58.9%

Skipjack tuna

14.4%

31.7%

15.8%

32.4%

Yellowfin tuna

16.4%

34.0%

18.0%

34.4%

Purse seine fishery, 59 4 trips

40

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

Figure 11. Monthly nominal CPUE (kgs/day) for skipjack tuna in the Philippine Region 12 purse seine fishery.

Purse species trends – nominal CPUE and relative abundance Monthly nominal CPUE for all species in the purse seine fishery averaged 8.6 mt per boat day. Nominal CPUE was ~10 mt per boat day from 2005 until the end of 2008, declined precipitously from 2009 until the end of 2011 and rebounded in 2012 to ~7 mt per boat day (Figure 10). In general, nominal CPUE for the subset of consistent vessels was similar to all vessels. Large fluctuations in nominal CPUE for all species largely reflect catch rates of skipjack in the purse fishery. Monthly skipjack tuna CPUE averaged 5.1 mt per boat day and fluctuated from 0.5 to 13.8 mt per boat day (Figure 11).

Nominal CPUE was ~6 mt per boat day from 2005 until the end of 2008, declined precipitously from 2009 to very low levels in 2011 and rebounded in 2012.

Figure 12.Comparison of monthly nominal CPUE and relative abundance for skipjack tuna in the Philippine Region 12 purse seine fishery. Each series is normalized to a mean value of 1.0.

Figure 13. Monthly nominal CPUE (kgs/day) for yellowfin tuna in the Philippine Region 12 purse seine fishery.

The GLM analysis considered four models for each species and the preferred model was similar to the handline fishery with effects of Year, Month and Vessel. Model results for all vessels are illustrated as the explanatory power was higher than analyzes using consistent vessels. In a comparison of nominal CPUE and relative abundance (Figure 12), the relative abundance trend for skipjack tuna had less variability and generally follows the trend in nominal CPUE except in 2004 where relative abundance was more pessimistic and in 2011–2012 where relative abundance was more optimistic.

Monthly yellowfin tuna CPUE averaged 1.26 mt per boat day and fluctuated from 0.15 to 4.1 mt per boat day (Figure 13). Nominal CPUE for yellowfin followed the skipjack trend with a period of stability from 2006 until the end of 2008, declined precipitously from 2009 to a low in 2011 and rebounded in 2012. The trends in nominal CPUE and relative abundance were similar (Figure 14). The GLM purse seine results for Year effects are illustrated in Table 3. In comparing the initial three years in the time-series (2005–2006) with the last three years (2010–2012), there were decreases of 19.2% for skipjack and 40.1% for yellowfin.

Data Recommendations

Figure 14. Comparison of monthly nominal CPUE and relative abundance for yellowfin tuna in the Philippine Region 12 purse seine fishery. Each series is normalized to a mean value of 1.0.

1) Better coordination with BFAR licensing

section to:

i) have an improved quality control of vessel names in the NSAP database,

ii) be able to construct a master list of vessel names from the licensing database participating in the purse seine, ringnet and handline fisheries in order to avoid multiple spellings for a unique vessel, and

iii) easily obtain vessel attributes such as length, Gross Tonnage and operational

attributes.

2) Revision of Port sampling form(s) (e.g. NSAP form(s)) to include the number of pakura or small pump boats used per handline vessel. The number of pakura is required to better quantify fishing

effort in the handline fishery.

3) Area designations could be improved in the NSAP data by considering smaller spatial areas.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

41

YOUR EVENT

COMPANION

SM General Santos Trade Halls, General Santos City, Philippines September 04 - 05, 2014

NATIONAL TUNA CONGRESS

NAVIGATOR

schedule

map

Download the very first event navigator mobile app in the country.

EXHIBITORS

DEVELOPED BY:

Tetra Consulting

Tetra Consulting C O R P O R A T I O N

L E A P I N G

B O U N D A R I E S

Email: info@tetra-consulting.com

We are an international network of expert advisors that specializes in providing innovative thinking and tailored end - to - end solutions for business in Southeast Asia.

Our Services: - Animal Health - Advertising - Information Technology - Agroforestry - Financials - Manpower Outsourcing Services - Marketing - Operations and Business Management

Head Office: # 1 Tulip St., Cer-Hil Subd.

San Agustin City of San Fernando, Pampanga

Singapore: 100 Tras St. # 14-03 100 AM Singapore 079027

Manila Office: 37th Floor, LKG Tower 6801 Ayala Avenue Makati City, Philippines

Bangkok: Athene Tower, Wireless Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok, Thailand

FEATURED ARTICLES Fishery Improvement Project Protocol for the ASEAN Region

Regional Cooperation to Improve Fisheries for Food Security BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW Fish and fishery products provide livelihood opportunities and income for 48 million people in Asia, providing a crucial contribution to the region’s food supply and economic output.

However, current fishing levels are not sustainable and continue to stress the world’s oceans. Without the use of sustainable practices, the current volume of ocean harvest will lead to serious negative consequences for both the environment and the future economic output of the countries in this region.

To tackle these issues, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to establish the ASEAN Public-Private Taskforce on Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture last year.

The Taskforce set a priority to develop a market-based tool to help the fisheries industry improve production sustainability and receive recognition in key markets.

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD CERTIFICATION The number of major seafood buyers in North America and Europe committing to socially responsible and sustainable products has risen to approximately 90% in recent years. There is a growing awareness in ASEAN of the importance of sustainability standards; however, significant gaps exist for fisheries to meet these standards and pay for the certification programs.

In the absence of full certification, fisheries improvement projects (FIPs) are providing incentives for improvements in fisheries, and are increasingly recognized by buyers. FIPs drawn on market forces and involve multiple stakeholders in the industry— suppliers, retailers, food service, processing, and fishers—working collaboratively to make investments to improve a targeted fishery.

44

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

Filipino fisherman brings his catch to the market

Mark Walter (2012), USAID Maximizing Agricultural Revenue through Knowledge, Enterprise Development, and Trade Project

REGIONAL SOLUTION The Taskforce formed a regional Steering Committee to develop a FIP Protocol for the ASEAN region, with support from the USAID Maximizing Agricultural Revenue from Knowledge, Enterprise Development, and Trade project. The Protocol represents a first step for fishers to improve environmental and social performance across the region. The protocol will align with internationally recognized fisheries standards and improvement projects, and be in line with global buyers’ preference to purchase seafood from suppliers that can certify that their products come from better managed, sustainable and responsible fisheries.

STEERING COMMITTEE The Steering Committee is made up of 25 private sector and fishery group representatives from across ASEAN who are committed to improving the environmental and social performance of fisheries in the region Socsksargen Federation

The World Leader of Tuna Processing Plant

PATKOL Head Office

PATKOL PHILIPPINES

348 Chalerm Prakiat Rama 9 Rd,.

Nongbon, Pravate, Bangkok 10250 THAILAND

Unit 12G, 12th Flr., IBM Plaza, Bldg. 8 Eastwood Ave, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City 1110 PHILIPPINES

Tel : +66 (02) 328 1035 Fax : +66 (02) 328 1245 e-mail : sales@patkol.com

Tel : +63 (2) 709-6519 Telefax : +63 (2) 332-8799 e-mail : fernan@patkol.com

Visit www.patkol.com

ADVERTISEMENT

of Fishing and Allied Resources (SFFAII) has served as key member of the Taskforce and Steering Committee since 2013.

SFFAII is joined by several organizations representing Philippine fisheries: Irma Fishing and Trading, Mega Sardines, Frabelle Fishing, Conservation International, Phil-Union Frozen Foods, Tambuyong Development Center and the Association of Crab Processors.

PROGRESS AND NEXT STEPS Through mid-2014, the Steering Committee has developed an initial set of draft environment and social benchmarks that will constitute the FIP Protocol. Over 160 public and private sector stakeholders from fisheries in Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand provided inputs on the first draft. In 2014, a second draft of the protocol will be released for a 60-day public comment period that allows all interested stakeholders across ASEAN and internationally to provide official comments and input on the working Protocol draft.

Following the public comment period, the Steering Committee will test the protocol with select fisheries, develop a costeffective and independent verification system, and seek resources to provide training and capacity building for fisheries, government and others interested stakeholders to implement the protocol.

For further information and to understand opportunities for getting involved, please contact:

Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras Executive Director, SFFAII, General Santos City, Philippines Tel: +63 83 552 9736, Email: fishing.federation@gmail. com Corey Peet USAID Maximizing Agricultural Revenue from Knowledge, Enterprise Development, and Trade project Email: coreypeet@gmail.com

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

45

FEATURED ARTICLES

Rafael V. Ramiscal*, Alma C. Dickson, DFT*, Marlo Demoos*, Isidro Tanangonan*, and Jeric A. Jara* *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 HSP1. This paper presents the current status of reporting in terms of the data gathered, frequency of reporting and its reporting processes. Eighteen (18) out of twenty-two (22) vessels operating in HSP1 was able to transmit data for 2013 and twenty nine (30) out of thirty-five (35) fishing vessels for 2014. Data reported is similar with the normal logsheet which includes, vessels departure date and time, position, daily activity, catch species and amount, carrier name and fish hold number used. E-reporting approach can timely provide information that can be advantageous in generating data for immediate for evaluation. However, there is still a need to capacitate the Boat Captains/Officers in performing electronic catch reporting to sustain effective electronic data recording and its reliability.

Pilot Test of MARLIN (Electronic Logsheet)

Operation in High Seas Pocket 1 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 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 attached to the vesselâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monitoring system. The device is capable of sending email, daily activity log, fishing area, species caught and fish amount and also detects typhoons and weather conditions.

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. 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 attached to the vesselâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monitoring system. The device is capable of sending email, daily activity log, fishing area, species caught and fish amount and also detects typhoons and weather conditions.

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.

46

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

Methodology The MARLIN is an electronic logbook terminal attached to vesselâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 hands on training on MARLIN to key personnel involved in the project such as BFAR staff and Fishing Operators in General Santos City. Follow-up trainings was 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 on the departure of the first batch of catcher vessels during the send-off ceremony on October 24 2013. Out of 22 catcher vessels that was able to operate in 2013, 18 vessels was able to transmit data.

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.

Transmitted data is processed and can be accessed in the webbased 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 in reported in terms of number of sets made, catch rate and species composition.

Figure 1. Installation and trial operation of MARLIN onboard catcher vessel.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

47

Pilot Test of MARLIN (Electronic Logsheet) Operation in High Seas Pocket 1 Figure 2. Web-based application where MARLIN data is generated.

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, a total of 30 out 35 catchers operating were able to transmit data.

Data from reporting vessels shows a total catch of 19,954 MT. Majority of species caught is skipjack tuna at 76.75% followed

by Yellowfin tuna at 11.93%, Mackerel Scad at 5.14%, Bigeye Tuna at 3.52% and Other Species at 2.65%. Data also shows decrease in composition of Skipjack Tuna from 2013(85.66%) to 2014(75.41%) while the Bigeye and Mackerel Scad increases from 0.67% to 3.95% and 0.75% to 5.80% respectively. Yellowfin tuna almost remain 11%.

Average catch per month shows highest catch in May with 191.32 MT and lowest in November with 66.65 MT per catcher.

Peak operation is also seen in May with 28 catchers operating and reporting. Decreasing catch from May to June is cause by some vessels exited early from HSP1.

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

Month

No. Vessels Reporting

SKJ(t)

YFT(t)

BET(t)

MSD(t)

Nov 2013

18

1044.9

122.1

12.2

Dec 2013

18

1190.4

185

5.2

OTHERS(t)

Total(t)

11.4

9.1

1199.7

8.1

21.2

1409.9 2609.6

Total for 2013

2235.3

307.1

17.4

19.5

30.3

%

85.66%

11.77%

0.67%

0.75%

1.16%

Jan 2014

23

1368.6

211.2

33.4

44.3

30.6

1688.1

Feb 2014

22

1435.4

380.3

49.4

34.3

26.1

1925.5

Mar 2014

25

1951.9

369.4

39.6

38.5

64.5

2463.9

Apr 2014

26

2407.4

387.3

46.2

65.7

86

2992.6

May 2014

28

3469.8

422.8

494.1

793.4

176.8

5356.9

Jun 2014

24

Total for 2014

2446.9

302.3

22.7

30.5

115.3

2917.6

13079.9

2073.3

685.4

1006.7

499.3

17344.6

%

75.41%

11.95%

3.95

5.80%

2.88%

Grand Total

15315.2

2380.4

702.8

1026.2

529.6

%

76.75%

11.93%

3.52%

5.14%

2.65%

48

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

19954.2

Figure 3. Species Composition reported from November 2013-June 2014.

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 is above 80 percent based on number of vessels able to report over the total number of vessels operating.

Figure 4. Total Catch per month and total number of vessels operating

Some field that needs improvement is to empower boat captains and fisheries observer to eliminate human errors in reporting. Installation and repair of the MARLIN device is also need to be taught to a designated person onboard the vessel incase problems arise while 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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tuna Processing JBT has been a leading supplier of tuna processing equipment and systems for over 40 years. Not only have we served the traditional canned tuna market but we also help processors introduce new “premium price” products.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

We’re with You Right Down The Line™

www.jbtcorporation.com

49

JOHN BEAN TECHNOLOGIES Tel: +63 2 830 2085 Fax: +63 2 810 0323

FEATURED ARTICLES

Analysis of Purse Seine/Ring Net Fishing Operations in Philippine EEZ Rafael V. Ramiscal*, Alma C. Dickson, DFT*, William S. de la Cruz*, Isidro Tanangonan*, Marlo Demoos*, and Jonathan O. Dickson, DFT** *NMFDC, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) **Capture Fisheries Division, BFAR PCA Bldg., Elliptical Road, Quezon City, Philippines

Abstract Philippine flagged purse seine and ringnet vessels operating in country’s EEZ were boarded by Fisheries Observer for a period of 20 days in connection with the implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 236, 236-1 and 236-2 “Rules and Regulations on the Operations of Purse Seine and Ring Net Vessels Using Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) locally known as Payaos during the FAD Closure Period as Compatible Measures to WCPFC CMM 200801, 2011-01 and 2012-01.”

This study updates the preliminary assessment made on data in 2010-2012. Analysis was made on catch rates, species and size composition and catch variations in relation to fishing grounds, depth of nets and gear type. This study will serve as the basis to recommend workable measure/s to improve and amend the existing Fisheries Administrative Order and formulate other compatible measures/national regulations to WCPFC CMMs.

50

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

BACKGROUND Being one of the major tuna fishing nations in the West Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO), the Philippines has been a Chief Party to the negotiation and adoption of the Convention on the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean that subsequently established the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

In the performance of its mandate to manage migratory fish stocks in the WCPO, the Commission implements various Conservation and Management Measures (CMMs) covering the Convention area.

Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2008-01, 2011-01 and 201201 seeks to implement compatible measures for the high seas and EEZs to maintain bigeye and yellowfin tuna stocks at levels capable of producing MSY. Among the prescribed measures is for purse seine fishery in the area bounded by 20ºN and 20ºS closed to fishing on FADs (August 1-Sept 30, 2009 and July 1- September 30 in 2010-2012 and July 1-October 31, 2013 in 2013. During these periods, all purse seine vessels were also required to carry an observer from the Regional Observer Program.

The Philippines being a non-PNA country implemented Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 236/2361/2 which provided the Rules and Regulations on the Operations of Purse Seine and Ring Net Vessels Using Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) locally known as Payaos during the FAD Closure Period as Compatible Measures to WCFPC CMM 2008-01, CMM 2011-01 and CMM 2012-01.

The Order applied to all Philippine registered and licensed commercial purse seine and ring net catcher vessels that fish on FAD within Philippine EEZ during the above periods. It also required registration with BFAR for authorization to fish on FADs during the period and reduce depth of net to not more than 115 fathoms stretched to reduce the catch of bigeye tuna. It also entails vessels to carry on board Monitors/Observers to gather data and recommend further improvements of the measure. In addition, CMM 2007-01 also obliged the Commission to develop a Regional Observer Programme to, among others, collect verified catch data, and to monitor the implementation of the conservation and management measures adopted by the Commission.

This report analyses reports from Observers on board purse seines and ringnets operating within the Philippine EEZ during the above periods of FADs closures in 2010-2014.

OBSERVER COVERAGE AND DEPLOYMENT The deployment of observers covered the FAD fishing closure periods in 2010-2013 involving purse seine and ring net catcher boats based in General Santos City. It was implemented in consultation with boat owners and affiliated Organizations particularly the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industry, Inc. (SFFAII). One Observer trip involved one catcher vessel for a period of 20 days inclusive of travel to and from fishing ground to port of fishing landing.

Each trip was designated with a unique Observer trip number.

Each registered vessel was required with at least one observer trip during the entire.

Table 1. Observer coverage by gear type, July-Sept, 2010-1013 YEAR

PS

RN

TOTAL

2010

138

293

431

2011

78

165

243

2012

140

146

286

2013

124

279

403

TOTAL

480

883

1363

Covered in this report were 1,363 fishing days for both purse seines and ringnets (Table 1). Observers recorded set and catch information, vessel activity, and other data using WCPFC standard Observer forms.

METHODS A. Sampling Mixed samples were taken randomly from the catch. Samples were collected by using plastic tubs as the brail was poured in wells or were scooped directly from the bunt. Samples were set aside in a secured area until the last brail. Sub-sampling was also conducted when necessary.

Samples were segregated according to species and groupweight. 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). Species identification was conducted using species ID manuals and more detailed identification was done on yellowfin and big-eye tuna based on their distinctive morphological characteristics.

B. 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 tons/fishing day.

Brail capacity was approximately 80% of its volume (dela Cruz, 2010) to account air and water space. Billfishes and large size tuna were normally landed on deck and separately measured and added to the total catch.

C. Data analysis Data processing was done using MS Excel. Fishing operations were grouped according to fishing grounds which included Moro Gulf and Mindanao Sea in the Celebes (CEL), Southern Philippine Pacific seaboard (PAC), Sulu Sea (SUL) and the vicinities of Kalayaan Group of Islands and waters off Balabac Is. in West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Analysis focused on the 4 major species caught: skipjack tuna (SKJ), yellowfin tuna (YFT), bigeye tuna (BET) and mackerel scad (MSD). Average catch was computed as tons/fishing day.

Catch variation by fishing ground, depth of gear and gear type was also described.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Catch, Species And Size Composition Figure 1 shows the catch for the 4-year period. Total catch was 9.895 mt, composed of 49.6% SKJ, 18.2% YFT, 1.9% BET, 18.4% MSD and 11.8% other species. Noticeably the fraction of BET is comparatively low compared to similar fisheries in the WCPO and EPO. For example, observer data on associated sets from the PNG vessels for years 2004-2006 averaged 59% SKJ, 34% YFT and 6% BET (Kumoru, 2007) while the WCPO provisional purse seine-catch estimate for 2011 indicated 4.5% BET (Williams, P and P. Terawasi, 2012). The EPO purse seine catch in 2011 was 52%:37%:10% SKJ:YFT:BET proportion (IATTC, 2012). BET was also 3.6% of the catch of Philippine group seine fisheries in HSP1.

Figure 1 . Catch composition of purse seine/ringnet, July-Sept, 2010-2012; July-Oct, 2013

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

51

Analysis of Purse Seine/Ring Net Fishing Operations in Philippine EEZ

Overall average catch rate for the period was 7.26t/fishing day. Highest was in 2012 at 9.2 t/fishing day mainly due to increase on SKJ and YFT. SKJ dominated and influenced the level of catch. BET was almost even at 0.14t/fishing day (Figure 2).

Figure 3 . Length frequency distribution of major species caught

Figure 2 . Catch rate, July-Sept, 2010-2012; July-Oct, 2013

The length frequency distribution of SKJ, YFT, BET and MSD are shown in Figure 3. For SKJ, size ranged from 10 to 87 cm with average length of 27 cm. The equivalent size ranges and average lengths for YFT, BET and MSD were 11-159 and 29 cm, 15-78 cm and 28 cm, and 9-40 cm and 24 cm respectively.

These only emphasize that bulk of tunas caught by the fleet were essentially small and of comparable sizes.

B. Catch Variation By Fishing Ground The fleet operated in four (4) fishing grounds, namely the Mindanao Sea in the Celebes (CEL), the southern portion of the Philippine Sea in the Pacific Seaboard (PAC), central-south Sulu Sea (SUL) and the West Philippine Sea (WPS) particularly in the Kalayaan Group of Islands. There was a total of 960 fishing days observed within the 4-year period and CEL and PAC were the most frequented, obviously because of their proximity from the fleetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homeport in General Santos.

Observation was not possible in the WPS in 2011 as a result of then ongoing seismic survey & reported harassment from poaching boats and the ongoing seismic surveys in the area.

The fleet infrequently fished in Sulu Sea. (Table 2).

Table 2. Numbers of fishing days and catch by fishing ground, 2010-2013

YEAR/ GROUND

CEL Fishing Days

FAC Total Catch

Fishing Days

WPS Total Catch

Fishing Days

SUL Total Catch

Fishing Days

2010

293

2,086

119

739

2011

143

773

96

575

2012

141

1,133

114

1,106

31

405

2013

269

1,995

100

563

25

244

9

TOTAL

846

5,987

429

2,983

71

824

17

52

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

15

174

TOTAL Total Catch

Fishing Days

Total Catch

4

45

431

3,045

4

8

243

1,356

286

2,644

49

403

2,851

102

1363

9,895

The average catch rate by fishing ground by year is illustrated in Figure 4 where decline in 2011 and significant increase in 2012 was significant and a general decline for all fishing grounds in 2013 over the previous year.

Figure 4. Catch rate of major species by fishing ground

Table 3. Number of observations by neth depth by fishing ground, 2010-2012

Fground NDepth

2010

2011

2012

2013

TOTAL

CEL

293

143

141

251

828

5

28

61-80

23

81-100

151

78

64

107

400

101-120

119

65

77

139

400

PAC

119

96

114

94

423

81-100

31

9

13

16

69

101-120

88

87

101

78

354

WPS

15

31

26

72

10

7

17

21

19

55

286

371

1323

81-100 101-120

15

TOTAL

427

239

Figure 5. Average length of SKJ, YFT and BET by fishing ground

Figure 6. Average catch by species by net depth

The variation on the average size of fish caught was likewise distinct across fishing ground (Figure 5) with significantly smaller size of SKJ, YFT and BET in the Celebes Sea compared to the Pacific seaboard as well as the other fishing grounds.

The average lengths of SKJ caught from CEL, PAC, SUL and WPS were 26.3cm, 33.2cm, 41.2cm and 35.7 cm while YFT were 27.3cm, 33.2, 43.7 and 37.2 respectively. The average lengths of BET were 29.9cm in the CEL, 33.8 cm in the PAC, 39.4cm in SUL and 42.6 in the WPS. C. Catch Variation By Depth Of Net Analysis on the variation of catch with depth of net was focused on sets made in the Celebes and Pacific. The actual depth of nets ranged from 64 to 115 fathoms. The nets were classed by 20 fathoms, in particular 101-120 fm (Class 1), 81-100 fm (Class 2) and 61- 80 fm (Class 3). The distribution of observations by depth class is shown in Table 3.

Catch variation across gear depths is shown in Figure 6, indicating decline on the average catch of SKJ, YFT and BET and increasing MSD with decreasing depth of net.

Attempt was made to calculate reduction by forecasting (linear regression). Reduction of nets from depths of 125130 fathoms to the maximum of 115 fathoms requirement of FAO 236 may indicate 31% catch reduction of bigeye tuna (Table 4). Further reduction of bigeye is possible with further cuts in net depth but may as well reduce catch of other tunas and the overall catch (Figure 6).

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

53

Analysis of Purse Seine/Ring Net Fishing Operations in Philippine EEZ

Table 4 . BET catch reduction by linear regression (forecast)

Figure 7. Average catch by gear type by fishing ground, Jul-Sep, 2010-2012; Jul-Oct, 2013)

NDEPTH _range (fm)

NDEPTH _Midpoint

Mean Catch (t/set)

121-140

130

0.2515*

101-120

110

0.1735

31.03

81-100

90

0.1021

41.15

61-80

70

0.0207

79.73

% Reduction

*Predicted value by linear regression (forecast)

D. Catch Variation By Type Of Gear The distribution of fishing days by gear type in 3 fishing grounds is shown in Table 5. Observations are consistent with previous reports. The association of catch rate and size composition with the type of gear was indistinct (Fig. 7 and 8).

This may indicate that gear type (purse seine or ringnet) for the fleet is not an important factor on catch efficiency. The only distinction is the use of power block or mechanized hauling in purse seine, but the size of boats and nets are generally similar.

Figure 8. Average length of SKJ, YFT and BET by gear type

Table 5. Distribution of fishing days by gear type and fishing ground.

Year / FGround/ Gear

PURSE SEINE

RINGNET

TOTAL

138

293

431

CEL

46

247

293

PAC

73

46

119

SUL

4

WPS

15

2010

2011

15

78

165

243

CEL

27

116

143

PAC

47

49

96

140

146

286

CEL

22

119

141

PAC

94

20

114

SUL 2012

WPS

4

4

24

7

31

124

279

403

CEL

34

235

269

PAC

56

44

100

2013

54

4

SUL

9

9

WPS

25

25

TOTAL

480

883

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

1363

REFERENCES Babaran, R.P. 2006. Payao fishing and its impact to tuna stocks: A preliminary analysis. WCPFC-SC2-2006/FT WP-7.

Barut, N.C and E.G Garvilles. 2013. Philippine Annual Fishery Report for 2012.

Annual report to the WCPFC, Part 1: Information on fisheries, research and statistics. WCPFC-SC9-AR/CCM-19.

Barut, N.C and E.G Garvilles. 2012. Philippine Annual Fishery Report for 2011.

Annual report to the WCPFC, Part 1: Information on fisheries, research and statistics. WCPFC-SC8-AR/CCM-19.

Barut, N.C and E.G Garvilles 2011. Philippine Annual Fishery Report for 2010.

Annual report to the WCPFC, Part 1: Information on fisheries, research and statistics. WCPFC-SC7-AR/CCM-19.

BFAR. Philippine Fisheries Profile 2008. Dela Cruz, W. 2010.

Fisheries Observer Trip Report.

Espejo, E. 2012. First Time Since 2008: Yellowfin tuna catch increase.

Rappler.com. November 18, 2012. IATTC, 2012. Tunas and billfishes in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in 2011. WCPFC-SC8-2012/GN-WP-02.

Kumoru, L. 2007. Catch information from the FAD-based domestic tuna purse seine fishery in Papua New Guinea. WCPFC-SC3-FT SWG/WP-8.

Mindanao Development Authority. Results of the data collection-Validation on the catch of fishing vessels using ringnets .

William, P. and P. Terwasi. 2012. Overview of tuna fisheries in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, including economic conditions -2011.

WCPFCSC8-2012/GN WP-1.

SUMMARY 1. The FADs closure and the resulting implementation

of FAO 236 that required deployment of Fisheries Observers onboard provided the opportunity to collect information as foundation to the current measures and its succeeding improvement. Information on catch, species, size composition and their variations according to fishing ground, depth of nets and type of gear/operation can be drawn to devise control measures including closed areal/seasonal regulations well as gear and operational controls.

2. This progress report on Observer data within EEZ and during the FADs closure period is consistent with earlier reports as follows:

a.

The proportion of BET in catch of the fleet is around 2%.

b. The size of SKJ, YFT and BET are comparatively smaller than fish caught beyond EEZ.

c. The size composition varies by fishing ground, with Celebes sea as having the smallest average size of the 3 oceanic tunas.

d. The reduction of net depth potentially reduce catch of BET, however total catch is also reduced.

3. The study supports FAO 236 that reduction of net depths decreases catch of BET and such technical measure can be applied to attain the objective of reducing catch of BET and YFT. It is however important to take into consideration that reduction of the depth of net may not only decrease catch of BET and YFT but also SKJ that may impact on the economics of operations. Special attention should be made also on Celebes Sea where smallest size of offshore tunas is being caught by the fleet.

4. With the above observation, there is a need to adopt appropriate management measures to sustainably manage the tuna resources into its matures stages and regulate fishing efforts.

5. The implementation of FAO 236 and the Fisheries Observer Program have resulted in better working relations between BFAR and the industry that improved application and compliance to agreed measures and policies.

ADVERTISEMENT

WE ARE THE LEADER OF FOOD MACHINERY

FEATURED ARTICLES

Maximizing Agricultural Revenue through Knowledge, Enterprise Development, and Trade Project

A Southeast Asian shrimp farmer monitors his feeding tanks. USAID works with stakeholders along the aquaculture and fishery value chains to improve sustainable production standards for the ASEAN region.

Photo credit: USAID, Montakan Tanchaisawat

CONTACTS: USAID RDMA E-mail: info-rdma@usaid.gov Mrs. Sylvie Doutriaux Athenee Tower, 25th Floor 63 Wireless Road Bangkok, 10330 Thailand Tel: +66-2-257-3153 Fax: +66-2-257-3099 Email: sdoutriaux@usaid.gov Partner Contact Mr. Timothy Moore No. 67-68 Jl. Melawai Raya.

3rd Floor.

Jakarta, Indonesia 12130 Tel: +62-21-7278-8608 Fax: +62-21-7278-8609 Email: tmoore@nathaninc.com

56

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

The United States Agency for International Developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Maximizing Agricultural Revenue through Knowledge, Enterprise Development and Trade Project promotes more sustainable and efficient use of aquaculture and fishery resources in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region with an emphasis on the Lower Mekong Initiative countries. The project works with business organizations, farmer groups, governments, research institutions, and nongovernmental organizations to adopt better aquaculture production practices and fisheries management. An important part of the project is to identify gender roles, barriers and opportunities in the aquaculture sector, and develop gender-sensitive activities.

IMPROVE ANIMAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Disease outbreaks and poor production practices threaten the livelihoods of millions of small aquaculture producers in ASEAN. The project is implementing a series of public-private partnership activities to improve national and regional procedures for health certification for the movement of live shrimp and tilapia; the capacity of small-scale shrimp and tilapia farmers in key ASEAN countries to mitigate

and respond to aquatic disease crises while reducing negative biodiversity impacts; and public and private sector management of the shrimp industry to address disease prevention, food safety, water quality, and pollution.

PROMOTE THE USE OF BETTER FEED AND FEEDING PRACTICES To address the use of fishmeal in aquaculture feed, which depletes the stock of wild-caught fish, the project is partnering with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center and the private sector to implement a regional training and outreach program to achieve better feed management and use of substitutes for fishmeal for lead farmers and government representatives in the tilapia, milkfish, and shrimp industries. The project is building and demonstrating successful partnerships to develop quality and sustainable protein substitutes for fishmeal.

DEVELOP AND PROMOTE FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS Sustainability standards and mprovement projects are tools that can assist aquaculture producers and fisheries to enhance production sustainability and receive recognition that opens new markets. The project supports the industry to develop an ASEAN shrimp standard and a fishery improvement project protocol for opencatch fisheries that reflect production realities in the region while addressing key environmental and labor market requirements.

PARTNERS The three-year project began in late 2011, is implemented by Nathan Associates Inc. and is part of Feed the Future, the U.S. Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative.

Zunibal Point Service Activation

PSA - 3016

ZUNIBAL BILBAO Pol. Ind. Torrelarragoiti, nave 5 48170 Zamudio - Vizcaya, Spain

ZUNIBAL VIGO Area Portuaria de Bouzas, D5 36008 Vigo - Pontevedra, Spain

Telf: + 34.94.497. 70.10 Fax: + 34.94.452.28.14 zunibal.com zunibal@zunibal.com

Telf: + 34.986.213.109 Fax: + 34.986.207.108 vigo@zunibal.com

SYNCHROTEK CORPORATION

1999

24 HOURS SERVICE

CRAMACO Alternators

®

Tools MARINE TRANSMISSION

Products:

Bacolod Office JFC Bldg. Palanca Ave. Bacolod Business Park Reclamation Area, Bacolod City Tel. No.: (034) 432-0905, 476-3337 Telefax: (034) 434-8138 Email: scb-inventory@pldtdsl.net

®

AUTHORIZED DEALER

• CUMMINS MARINE ENGINE • CUMMINS POWER GENERATION GENERATING SETS • CUMMINS POWER RENT • CUMMINS-CHINA JOINT VENTURE GENERATING SETS GenSan Office Door A-12 ECA Bldg.

National Highway General Santos City Tel. No. (083) 301-0895 Telefax: (083) 554-7565 Email: scg-inventory@pldtdsl.net

Manila Office 29 Anita Drive New Alabang, 400 Village Cupang Muntinlupa City, Phil.

Telefax: (02) 807-1870 Email: raffy@synchrotek.com.ph

• ZF MARINE GEAR TRANSMISSION • CRAMACO ALTERNATORS • FLEETGUARD HEAVY DUTY FILTERS • SNAP-ON QUALITY TOOLS & EQUIPMENT Iloilo Office Door 9 NSB Bldg., Rizal St. Lapuz, Iloilo City Telefax: (033) 338-4705 Email: sci-inventor@pldtdsl.net

www.synchrotek.com.ph

Cebu Office No. 18 A.C. Cortez Ave. Cambaro, Mandaue City, Cebu Tel. No. (032) 420-3548 Telefax: (032) 344-0420 Email: scc-inventory@pldtdsl.net

Zamboanga Office YL Fishing Compound No. 529 Km. 4 Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City Tel. No. (062) 992-4273 Telefax: (062) 992-4954 Email: scz_inventory@smartbro.net

GENSAN ECONOMIC ZONE “The premier manufacturing economic zone in Southern Philippines”

TYPICAL ECOZONE BENEFITS:

Directors of Gensan Ecozone pose with Director General Lilia Delima of PEZA during the signing of GEZ’s Registration Agreement last August 4, 2014.

To help spur sustainable economic development and contribute to achieving inclusive growth in the countryside especially in Mindanao, His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III issued Proclamation No. 820 dated July 3, 2014 creating and designating Gensan Economic Zone (GEZ) as Special Economic Zone under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

The Gensan Economic Zone is located in Brgy. Tamber, General Santos City with a total area of about 50 hectares. It is strategically located in the heart of Gensan’s industrial zone, and within 5-kilometer to key ports: Makar Port, General Santos City International Airport, and General Santos Fishport Complex.

GEZ has two functional seaports - one of which is the alternate commercial port of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). Both ports have draft of negative 35 meters and combined berth length of about one (1) kilometer.

•

Four (4) years of Income Tax Holiday - extendable up to 8 years

•

Upon expiry of the Income Tax Holiday - 5% Special Tax on Gross Income and exemption from all national and local taxes (“Gross Income” refers to gross sales or gross revenues derived from the registered activity , net of sales discounts, sales returns and allowances and minus cost of sales or direct costs but before any deduction is made for administrative expenses or incidental losses during a given taxable period)

•

Allows 100% foreign ownership of enterprise

•

Simplified profit repatriation

•

Tax and duty free importation of production equipment and machineries, spare parts and supplies of the equipment and machineries

•

Exemption from export taxes, wharfage dues, impost and fees

•

VAT Zero Rating on local purchases of goods and services, including land- based telecommunications, electric power, and water bills

•

Exemption from payment of local government fees such as Mayor’s Permit, Business Permit, permit on the Exercise of profession/Occupation/Calling, Health Certificate Fee, Sanitary Inspection Fee, and Garbage Fee.

•

For more details visit www.peza.gov.ph

Damalerio Realtors Incorporated, the developer/operator of Gensan Ecozone, has started the zone’s development with the construction and upgrading of vital infrastructure support facilities and utilities: perimeter fence, road network, drainage and water lines, power supply, water system, telecommunication lines, and wastewater treatment facility.

A number of foreign companies have expressed serious interest to locating in the zone. With SOCSKSARGEN’s strategic location in the East ASEAN Growth Area, the Gensan Economic Zone could attract investments from the member states and the rest of the ASEAN countries..

CONTACT DETAILS: Website : www.gensanecozone.com Email : info@gensanecozone.com Tel. : +6383 301 0103

CONTACT PERSON: Engr. Neil Cachuela ncachuela@gensanecozone.com +63 947 892 9800

GENSAN ECONOMIC ZONE

FEATURED ARTICLES

BFAR 12 Host orientation seminar on the improved Fish R System By: Omar M. Sabal

government’s interventions, through BFAR, can only become more effective if these are given to groups which are duly registered under the program.

The seminar’s highlights include orientation on the newly-created features of the fish R especially the Data Entry Terminal (DET), a program that is designed to be useful in remote areas.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) 12 hosted an orientation seminar on the improved Municipal Fisherfolk Registration System or more popularly known as fish R at Sydney Hotel, General Santos City on July 17, 2014.

According to Zaldy Perez, the OIC Chief of the Fisheries Information Management Center (FIMC) of BFAR, the DET can facilitate data encoding even in areas where there are no internet connections.

Once internet is available, the encoded data can be uploaded online to be part of the added registered fisherfolk.

More than 80 participants joined the activity in which majority are fish R coordinators from 45 municipalities, five cities, and four provinces of SOCCSKSARGEN.

Perez elaborated to the participants the features of the improved fish R system.

Later, he was joined by his technical colleagues where they were able to stir interest of the participants to learn more about the system.

encouragement. He said that with the new features of the improved fish R he is optimistic that Region 12 can still hasten the registration of the fisherfolk.

The activity aimed to hone the knowledge and skills of the participants on the registration system, particularly on its added features, to increase the number of registered fisherfolk in the region.

Tan shared to the crowd how his group facilitates the fisherfolk registration in the city. He said that lots of efforts are still needed to be done with the remaining months before the registration program ends in Decemeber this year.

Councilor Brix Tan, the chairman of Gensan’s Sangguning Panlungsod Committee on Fisheries, Marine Life, and Aquatic Resources, welcomed the participants with his words of

Meanwhile, Mr. Antonio Gepte V, the OIC Assistant Regional Director of BFAR 12, inspired the group with his message that emphasized all the benefits we get out of the registration exercise. He said that

60

A great portion of the seminar was allotted for the hands-on exercises on the different features of the improved registration system.

Some issues and concerns were raised and noted to further improve the system.

Participants were furnished with copies of the DET for the encoding activities in their respective localities. The seminar ended in the afternoon of the same day.

BFAR 12 Supports GenSan’s call to strengthen fisherfolk through registration and organization By: Omar M. Sabal The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 12 committed its full support for the city of General Santos to strengthen its small-scale fisherfolk by facilitating their registration and organizing them into associations in order to have strong representation in the city’s Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC).

BFAR’s support is packaged in the series of information drive on fish R and FARMC activation that are being conducted since early days of July this year. Fish R is the registration mechanism for the small-scale fisherfolk and fisworkers which was earlier launched by BFAR to develop a simplified and standardized list of its stakeholders.

The series runs until all coastal and inland barangays of the city are covered. Other agencies and organizations also offer support to realize this endeavor.

The registration activity, according to BFAR 12 Regional Director Ambutong Pautong, is one venue to reassert our advocacy

to maintain database for our fisherfolk.

He said that by doing so we are assured that right projects are given to the right beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the thrust to push for FARMC activation is pursued by virtue of two city resolutions seeking support for the strengthening of FARMCs and organizations both at the barangay and city levels.

This entails necessary preparations at the community level including massive advocacy and facilitation to accredit them to concerned agencies.

The resolutions are authored by Councilor

Brix Tan, the chairman of the Committee on Fisheries, Marine Life, and Aquatic Resources of the city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Tan mentioned in his talks that the activity is one of the vital requisites in order to hear the collective voice of the fisherfolk as major key player of the fisheries industry.

He said that the series will culminate with the staging of the first ever Fisherfolk Congress which is projected to happen in October this year.

Within two weeks of conducting the info drive, more than 500 have already being added to the list of fisherfolk in the city. These represent ten organizations involving all sectors including the youth, women, fishworkers, and the fisherfolk. With this trend, several other organizations and thousands of fisherfolk are expected to be included in the near future.

Two barangays and two Puroks have already been covered while many others are waiting to be tapped in the coming days including the coastal and inland barangays of the city.

As of July 31, 2014 Gensan has already registered almost ten thousand of its fisherfolk online. This represents onethird of the total number of fisherfolk registered in the region and the figure is expected to increase when the crew members of commercial fishing fleets return from high seas in the coming months.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

61

FEATURED ARTICLES

Medical Doctors, in partnership with BFAR and Private Sector, donate to the Yolanda victims By: Omar M. Sabal

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) hosted a ceremony to thank and acknowledge group of doctors who donated financial support to the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda at East Asia Royale Hotel in General Santos City on July 19, 2014.

More than twenty individuals participated in the activity, with some representatives from the donor organization named Philippine Society of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (PSOHNS), headed by its president Dr. Howard Enriquez, together with BFAR personnel and private sector led by the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) - the umbrella organization of fisheries associations in Region 12.

The ceremony highlighted the turnover of P269,000 worth of check from PSOHNS to SFFAII, the latter

62

being tasked to handle funds for the rehabilitation of the Yolanda-devastated communities under the AHON Program.

Dr. Enriquez said in his message, “ as organization, we have a social responsibility, thus through our collective efforts we were able to raise substantial amount of money from our fellows, hospitals, specialty group chapters, and pharmaceutical partners.…a portion of this will be given to your good program AHON. Sana’y kahit papaano makatulong itong maiahon ang buhay ng mga magingisdang nasalanta ng typhoon”.

Enriquez also mentioned that they agree with the proposal that a portion of their donation will be used to purchase chest freezers to support livelihood of affected families.

Meanwhile, Mr. Joaquin Lu, the president of SFFAII personally thanked all the professionals who contribute for the AHON Program. He suggested that with the coming of more funds it would be better to build new fiberglass boats considering that these last longer and these do not require outrigger that needs more space. He also said that fiberglass boats can be safely kept in

Photo: Thepinoywarrior.com

their homes.

Lu also commended the fact that AHON now considers distribution of chest freezers. This, for him, is one opportunity to add value to their produce and eventually these could command better price in the market.

Melanie Guerra, the OIC head of the Office for Special Concerns of BFAR represented Atty. Asis Perez, who at that time, was personally attending to the needs of the twelve provinces and three regions which were worst- hit by Typhoon Glenda.

Guerra, nevertheless, expressed BFAR management’s gratitude for all the efforts exerted by PSOHNS and she apologized that Director Perez was not able to attend in the activity.

“Kayo po ay makakaasa na ang perang

ibinibigay ninyo ay makakarating sa tamang tao” says Guerra as she cited BFAR’s ground operations mechanics in identifying beneficiaries and their needs to rebuild life and livelihood of the fisherfolk after having being hit by the ruthless disaster.

Further, Guerra informed the group that BFAR has already surpassed its targeted number of boats to be distributed and it is just right to support livelihood of the affected families, thus, AHON project now also focuses on procuring chest freezers and post-harvest interventions.

Another highlight of the ceremony was the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which specifies commitments of involved parties namely BFAR, PSOHNS, and SFFAII who join hand in hand to effectively deliver all forms of assistance to the target

beneficiaries.

Doctors Howard Enriquez, Raymond Belmonte, and Melfred Hernandez signed for PSOHNS while Mr. Joaquin Lu signed in behalf of the private sector through SFFAII. Atty. Asis Perez is expected to sign for BFAR. BFAR 12 OIC Regional Director Ambutong Pautong and Rosanna Bernadette Contreras, the Executive Director of SFFAII officially witnessed the MOA signing.

The participants were given a chance to experience a glimpse of the impacts of AHON initiatives and its message of “bayanihan” and hope as they viewed the music video “Ahon”.

Said video can now be downloaded at www.facebook.com/Ahon.BFAR.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

63

Sea Resources Explored by Young Generals

Selected students in the elementary and secondary levels of Shalom Crest Wizard Academy in General Santos City were among the top awardees in the 2013 and 2014 National Science Quest held in Baguio City. These young ‘Generals’ have explored our marine life for their research activities and scientific papers. According to these young minds, there are other potential uses of tuna and other marine resources as featured in the following articles entitled: (1) Exploring the Wonders of the Sea, (2) There is Something Out of Nothing, (3) A Sea Exploration Research Turned Out to be Triumphant, and (4) There is Power Under the Sea. Hmmmm, let’s devour for intellectual nourishment!

“Exploring the Wonders of the Sea”

A

Another proud “General” bagged an award in the National Science Quest 2014 held at Baguio City. Ellysa Jane P. Gargallano, a Grade 5 student of Shalom Crest Wizard Academy, won 1st runner up in the Science Investigatory Project Life Science – Individual Category out of a hundred scientific papers all over the Philippines. Her study entitled “Bioactivity, UV Protection Potential and Chemical Composition of the Dichloromethane: Methanol Extracts of the Common Philippine Sea Squirt (Didemnum molle)” opened a new avenue among researchers of the country in the field of cosmetics and medicine.

The study investigated the bioactivity and chemical composition of the Common Philippine Sea Squirts. The Dichloromethane (DCM): Methanol (MetOH) extracts of the sea squirts were subjected to secondary metabolite screening and were tested for toxicity and angiogenic/

angiosuppresive activity and UV protection potential activity. Qualitative chemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, and saponins steroids in Dichloromethane (DCM): Methanol (MetOH) extracts of the sea squirts. A median lethal concentration (LC50) of the extract was found to be 741.3 µg/mL. Median lethal concentration, LC50, of the extracts was higher than the 20 µg/mL limit; this implies that the extracts will impart minimal toxicity toward human body cells.

Test for angiogenesis revealed strong angiosuppresive property of DCM: MetOH extracts of the sea squirts. This result implies that sea squirt is a novel raw material for anti-cancer/ anti-tumor agent.

Results of this study also proved that crude extract from sea squirts can protect the cells of bacteria exposed UV rays. There are 5.0 X105 and 1.0 X105 colony forming unit (cfu) of bacteria survive in sea squirts and commercial cream respectively. This

A Sea Exploration Research Turned Out to be Triumphant “There’s something out of nothing”, said Feven Joshua R. Carpe, a thirdyear student-researcher of Shalom Crest Wizard Academy, General Santos City, who won 2nd place in the National Science Quest 2013 held at Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City. His study entitled, “Bioactivity and Chemical Composition of the Dichloromethane and Methanol Extracts of the Post Mortem Tissue of the Soft Coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum” became the channel to the exploration of the wonders of the sea.

The study investigated the bioactivity and chemical composition of the post-mortem tissue of Sarcophyton trocheliophorum, a soft coral that dominates the sea. The researcher used a post-mortem tissue or a decaying tissue of the said coral species. General Santos City, famous for its marine diversity, is a home of various species of soft coral.

Certain bioactivity assays were done like antimicrobial, toxicity, and angiogenic activity.

64

16

th

N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

only shows that sea squirt has greater performance compared to commercial cream. Using One-way Analysis of Variance at 5 % level of significance found out that both sea squirts and the positive control are significantly different from the negative control. The positive control and the sea squirts were also found to be significantly different from each other. Thus, this study uncovered a significant breakthrough that sea squirt has sun block protection factor against harmful UV rays from the sun. Results demonstrated the bioactive property of the dichloromethane: methanol extracts of Didemnum molle which could be tapped for pharmacological and cosmetics applications.

The study served as baseline study for researchers of the archipelago to explore marine wonders. “I hope this research has led an avenue for future marine researches across the country” said coach Jinnifer D. Arroyo.

Results of the investigation had supported the bioactive property of the dichloromethane and methanol extracts of Sarcophyton trocheliophorum. Putative bioactive compounds present in the extracts showed potent antimicrobial action that can be useful antimicrobial agents against several microbial strains. Angiogenic investigation revealed that S. trocheliophorum could be a good source of a novel pro and antiangiogenic compounds for treating clinical diseases involving deregulation of neovascularization. Also, toxicity analysis revealed the feasibility of the dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the soft coral for pharmacological application. The extracts from S. trocheliophorum were found to be not highly toxic and thus, will cause minimal side effects toward human body cells which make it a good drug candidate.

This research was highly commended during the inter-school Science Investigatory Projects competition in the national level. Numerous schools from different regions of the country battled to present their distinct researches and encourage young aspiring scientists to develop awareness about what the wonders of nature can offer to humankind. “There’s so much incredible things the nature can provide us, even in the very deepest part of the sea”, concluded by the researcher’s coach, Alvin Q. Romualdo.

“There is Something Out of Nothing” The increasing population of students each year has led to the increasing demand for school supplies. This increase in demand is driving the increase in prices of school supplies such as pens, markers and even ink for printers. These concerns has prompted the young researchers of Shalom Crest Wizard Academy, namely, Sophia Monica V. Obando, Trishia V. Granfon and Megan Loise D. Balatan, with their coach, Jinnifer D. Arroyo to find indigenous products that may address the problem.

Addressing the scarcity of ink using seafood processing waste materials is one of the goals of the study. Squid ink is one of the major seafood processing wastes materials in General Santos City Fish Port. Volumes of squid ink have been thrown away, serving no purpose for most traders.

Background researches showed that squid ink is an intermixture.

Besides the large amounts of melanin, the ink contains proteins, lipids, glycosaminoglycans and various minerals, etc. The main components are melanin and protein-polysaccharides complex which give its unique color. Double-layer structural melanin granule consists of inner high density melanin and external low density organic compound (Zhong et al., 2009).

The study investigates the potential use of the common squid (Tadorodes pacificus) ink as an alternative ink refill for inkjet printers,

“There is Power Under The Sea” Claire V. Granfon, a Grade 7 student of Shalom Crest Wizard Academy, won 1st runner up in the 2014 National Science Quest in Baguio City for her research study entitled, “Direct Current Voltage Generated from Tuna (Thunnus albacares) Liver Electrochemical Cell: An Alternative Source of Energy”.

The increasing demand for power supply is one of the major challenges in the country today. This reality prompted the researcher to study on generating direct current voltage from Yellowfin tuna liver which could serve as an alternative energy source.

Tuna is one of the economically important fish species in General Santos City. The processing of tuna, generally, generates significant amount of by-products. Along with the processing comes the accummulation of wastes which are often discarded having no or low value such as in the case of tuna liver.

With proper seafood waste management and appropriate technology, such could have been utilized to increase the commercial value of tuna.

pens and markers. The waste squid ink was gathered from General Santos City Fishport. There were three concentrations prepared in the study as treatments with three replicates and a commercial ink as the positive control. Each treatment was mixed with glycerine, vinegar, varnish and distilled water in accordance to its corresponding concentrations. Squid ink refills were then tested with recyclable material using empty pens, markers and an inkjet printer for qualitative result assessed by the 15 respondents. Results of the qualitative evaluations obtained the highest mean of 3.6 with the descriptive rating of very satisfactory for inkjet printer. It also got the highest mean of 5.0 and 4.2 for both pen and marker refills which had the descriptive rating of excellent and very satisfactory respectively. Cost analysis of the study also revealed that squid ink refill is highly economical compared to the positive control (commercial ink). Thus, it only shows that squid ink could be tapped as an alternative source of ink refills for inkjet printers, pens and markers.

This study entitled, “Economically Prepared Todarodes pacificus (Common Squid) Ink: A Convenient Alternative Ink Refill for Inkjet Printers, Pens and Markers”, was highly commended by the juries during the panel interview and declared champion among the numerous school research papers presented during the Physical Science-Team Category in the National Science Quest 2014 held in Baguio City.

The research study of Ms. Granfon was conducted to determine the potentiality of tuna (Thunnus albacares) liver as an alternative source of energy by constructing an electrochemical cell prototype. Nine 200-mL capacity plastic containers were prepared for the preparation of electrochemical cell. Desired 1:4 ratio of tuna liver and distilled water was measured and placed in the beaker. About 6 inches of copper and zinc were inserted in the masking tape placed at the top of the beaker.

It was ensured that that tips of the zinc and copper were able to touch the mixture of tuna liver and a certain liquid. The voltmeter was then connected to the zinc and copper strips to test the voltage.

The result of the study revealed that a tuna liver harbors a considerable amount of direct current voltage. Analysis of variance on the mean direct current voltage generated from tuna liver using different liquids showed significant difference among treatments.

Statistical treatment using analysis of variance on the direct current voltage generated from tuna liver shows that tuna liver could also be a good alternative source of direct current voltage. The result of this study supports the idea that energy can be generated from biomass waste including the tuna liver which is mainly a by-product of seafood processing.

Its significant difference with that of control

proves that the tuna liver contains heavy metals and other components that are good electrolytes—an excellent source of energy.

“The need to minimize the production of wastes and to reuse and recycle them along with the need for technologies to recuperate energy from wastes is a worry of everybody and this can play a vital role in mitigating the problems. Above and beyond recovery of substantial energy, these technologies can lead to a significant reduction in the overall waste quantities requiring final disposal, which can be better managed for safe disposal in a controlled manner while meeting the pollution control standard”, concluded Jinnifer D. Arroyoresearch adviser.

http://www.myrecipes.com/how-to/7-ways-with/canned-tuna-recipes-10000001808283/#time-saving-tuna-dishes

7 ways with canned tuna With a can or pouch of tuna in the pantry, lunch or supper is just minutes away.

Time-Saving Tuna Dishes Not just for lunch anymore, tuna is making a splash on the dinner table in salads, tapas dishes, fish cakes, and more.

Pick up a pouch or can and get cooking for a delicious dinner thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready in minutes.

66

Tuna Tortas with Pico de Gallo

A squeeze of fresh lime juice, chopped tomatoes, chilies, and fresh cilantro transform canned tuna into a bold and delicious sandwich filling with hardly any fat. Or serve the filling over field greens drizzled with oil for a fast weeknight meal.

Garden Tuna Salad

This creamy tuna salad is full of wonderful texture and color due to the addition of chopped onions, celery, capers and hard boiled eggs.

Serve it sandwich style or add a garden full of garnishes to make a main course salad.

Tuna-Garbanzo Salad

Splurge on a good quality oil-packed tuna for this Spanish style “small plate” dinner or appetizer. The elegant dish contains tuna, steamed green beans, Parmesan cheese and chickpeas that are tossed with both sherry vinegar and mayo.

Fruity Tuna-Salad Pita Sandwiches Tuna salad goes tropical with the addition of chopped pineapple, raisins and green onions. Instead of fresh tuna steak, substitute a 9-ounce can of albacore tuna and you’ll have a perfect sandwich for picnics and boating adventures.

Tuna Cornbread Cakes

Pure comfort food, these easy fish cakes are made with store bought cornbread mix and garlic-herb flavored pouch tuna.

Bake and cool the cornbread early in the day so that the actual assembling and cooking of the fish cakes can be done in less than 15 minutes.

Pasta Shells with Tuscan Tuna Cooked noodles are drained, returned to the cooking pot and then tossed with pouch tuna, lemon zest, capers, onions and fresh basil for a speedy weeknight supper that tastes fresh and satisfying. Even better, since everything is tossed together in one pot, clean up is minimal.

Vegetable Panzanella with Tuna

Typically, the Italian salad called panzanella is a side dish made with ripe juicy tomatoes, stale bread, and a generous helping of olive oil. Here, with the addition of canned tuna, diced zucchini, red bell pepper, onions and olives it takes center stage as a flavorful main course 67

IT’S Gensan

Investment & Tourism Services in Gensan

It’s Gensan. It’s Now. It’s Gensan Now!

ITS TRADE AND COMMERCE

Source: NoobiePresentation

70

As the solid investment and tourism destination in the South, General Santos City is considered as one of the fastest developing regional trades and commercial hubs outside Metro Manila.

It housed 423 banks and other financial institutions, and 103 tourism-related establishments including hotels and resorts.

Gensan is the main service hub for exports and imports for the SOCCSKSARGEN. It exports a huge amount of goods to many countries such as the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, China, Korea and other Asian and European countries. As the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, Gensan is the largest producer of sashimi grade tuna in the Philippines. In addition to fresh and frozen tuna, Gensan also exports canned tuna, produced by 7 world class canned tuna processors. The city also boasts other fishery exports like frozen octopus and shrimps. It made top exports on commodities like canned and fresh pineapple, crude coconut oil, fresh banana, and crude palm oil.

The 2-hectare Central Public Market located in the city’s business district stands as one of the most important key players of the pulsating retail and trade in the city registering around 1,560 market stalls surrounded by 240 more others from Maranao traders. To create a better network of food market related activities, General Santos City initiated for public-private partnership financing and implementation an Integrated Food Terminal which shall serve as an engine for economic development while expanding the access to healthy food for low and moderate income neighborhoods. Since

this project will provide for the incubation of small businesses, it will theretofore revitalize local economy.

The Central Business District found within the heart of the city provides for the key service-related activities from clinical, banking, accounting, legal to engineering such that supports will be placed to where development is sprouting. General Santos City, with shopping malls and centers like KCC Mall of Gensan, RD Plaza, Robinsons Place, Gaisano Mall of Gensan, Save More, Veranza Mall, and SM City of General Santos located in the central business district, allows its people to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life enjoying various activities in their restaurants, boutiques, game centers, and convention halls with air-conditioned ventilation complete with their state-ofthe-art facilities.

Photo by. avel manansala

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Gensan

Investment & Tourism Services in Gensan

ITS BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Source: http://www.ictsi.com

Local policies, as a result of intensive public and private collaboration, create not just a business-friendly, but an investment welcoming environment. Just as private interventions are necessary, the recent enactment of the Public-Private Partnership Code made it possible for them to invest while at the same time build the community. Such ordinance welcomes attraction for massive investments which by present has been considered a globally means of creating a community. Another milestone to be considered is the revision of the General Santos City Investment Code that is suppletory for public-private partnership arrangements. Upon revision, the investment code is expected to lure multitudes of investments of various kinds since its features are patterned and aligned to the trending and national thrusts on investments covering from micro to large enterprises impressed with attractive fiscal and non-fiscal incentives alike.

Extremely important in running a business is the stability of both water and power.

General Santos City, which locates General Santos City Water District and SOCOTECO II, the two major water and power suppliers, while engrossed to development, sees the need to constantly provide its stakeholders with advisories to keep them update of the current stake.

It thence propelled the former to provide them information through the quarterly monitoring report as to the pump rated capacity for the water and the contracted supply for the power for they are considered the nerves and veins of the business.

Mindful of ASEAN Integration, the abovementioned preparations are made as ways of advancing the city for better competitiveness as regards us and the other ASEAN countries. In addition, several preparations like attendance to symposiums, fora, seminars, trainings and other related conventions are participated in to prepare the city. Advisories are also couched in plain, concise and direct terms so that the people can easily comprehend what ASEAN Integration is.

With the continuing quest for best practices to improve the delivery of its frontline services whether for business or for social groups, Gensan developed the concept of one-stop-shop whereby business related services shall be put in one place easing the burdens of registrants going to and fro in other offices. This concept which shall be known as the Business Center shall offer a more business-friendly environment making a synergy of all businessrelated offices by locating in the building.

71

IT’S Gensan Investment & Tourism Services in Gensan ITS ENHANCED CONNECTIVITY

Photo by: Lenard Pe

Strategically located in the southernmost part of the Philippines, Gensan is the most ideal gateway to the world with multi-modal transportation supported by world class road networks and other infrastructures, emerging smarter linkages to its surrounding areas and neighboring ASEAN countries. This is evidenced by the surplusage of 4,782 incoming and outgoing flights, 1,191 ship calls, and 1,142 buses, jeepneys, vans, and taxis in 2013.

The Makar Wharf, for instance, with a cargo throughput of 3,221,035.35 metric tons and container traffic of 165,327.75 twentyfoot equivalent unit, is the entry and exit point of the mix type of cargoes including containerized and non-containerized cargoes of SOCCSKSARGEN Growth Region. The General Santos City Airport, in the same vein, with a total of 16,734,849 kilograms incoming and

outgoing cargoes, serves as the city’s access to the major cities in the country.

Just in time for ASEAN Integration, both major infrastructures like General Santos City Airport and Makar Wharf are being redeveloped for greater efficiency and effectivity through aerotropolis creation and privatization, respectively.

Telecommunications also provide wider networks by boosting the city’s teledensity.

The presence of modern communication facilities for voice and data services made it possible though the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Bayan Telecommunications, Inc. (BayanTel), and Globe Telecom (Globelines). Wireless connections are also provided by Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, and Sun Cellular.

ITS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Source: NoobiePresentation

72

Gensan’s economic situation greatly contributed by the service sector is not to be stagnated, which thus necessitates the upgrading of human productivity.

Industrial dynamism through economic diversification needs the development of a stronger industrial sector to create productive job opportunities for the growing labor force to effectuate inclusive growth. Locally, it is best characterized by the establishment of our economic zones namely the Foodport Processing Zone, Mabuhay IT Park, Agrotex Gensan Economic Zone, SRC Calumpang Economic Development Zone and Gensan Economic Zone .

To date, the city’s economic zones, providing income tax holiday and other tax and duty exemption, which are open for locators, are Agrotex Gensan Economic Zone, Mabuhay IT Park, and Gensan

Economic Zones.

Agrotex Gensan Economic Zone invites agricultural enterprises to maximize its wharf and other environmental compliance support facilities with 28,569 square meters available for locators. Envisioned to be a one-stop facility capable of carrying voice, video, and data services, Mabuhay IT Park attracts locators which are in line with information technology, business process outsourcing, and light industrial.

And with a recent proclamation, Gensan economic zone is expecting investments related to water and power supply system, warehouse and cold storage facility, telecommunication facilities, road concreting and sewerage system.

ITS TOURISM

Photo by: donald donasco

recently undergoing development stages Exalting tourism activities showcase for funding. In addition, the Bula Coral Gensan’s colorful bounty through Reefs and Mangrove Rehabilitation are invigorating festivities of history and also considered for development projects. culture. The celebration in September is the thanksgiving in commemoration of Totaling 216,946 guests from the last the city’s charter anniversary dubbed as year, our hotels brought delightful services Tuna Festival.

The KalilanganARTICLE Festival FEATURED offering customers satisfaction guarantee recounts the harmony of the tri-people through its high premium commodity. and displays the rich tradition of the An increase of 1.2% or 52, 144 of the city. Celebrating Christmas the Gensan tourist arrivals for the first quarter of this way, Pasko sa Gensan redefines merry year as compared with the same quarter Christmas a blastful amazement. of the last year with 51, 144 also brings These spectacles identify Gensan as sound money circulation given that their a tourism destination in the South. expenditure per day is at Php2,500.

That staying in Gensan is fusing nature Gensan, where nature and water abounds, and adventure, our hotel and tourism bloats its natural richness displayed best services made it a stark that it is Gensan! in an adventure race exhibited through Gensan EcoKarera which is perennially conducted to explore the city’s extremes.

So where investing and touring is primed, Gensan makes it a wonderful The Klaja Karst Ecotourism Park, a experience for everyone to play, hurrah protected natural environment, through the Klaja Karst Ecotourism Management and stay. It is where investment is. It Plan and the Tram Line Project for Purok is where tourism is. It is Gensan Now! Bagongbuhay in Barangay Mabuhay are

73 Source : http://www.azialbatanggala.com

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Tuna

by Stephanie Ayre

http://www.popsugar.com.au/fitness/10-Healthy-Facts-About-Tuna-32237731

Let’s face it. Whether you like it fresh or canned, tuna boasts some serious health benefits. It’s good for the brain, heart, bones and is definitely kind to the figure. And because it even tastes pretty good straight from the can, there’s no wonder it’s one of the most eaten fish going around. You might be already as crazy for tuna as we are, but here’s 10 things you might not know about the friendly pink fish.

1. Low in calories: On average there’s about 110 calories in a regular can of tuna, 88 calories in lite tuna and only 77 calories in tuna and spring water.

3. Mood booster: If you’re looking for a little cheering up then tuna might just be the trick. Its high Omega 3 and rich tryptophan properties trigger the happymaking neurotransmitters to release more serotonin, which helps to elevate mood and fight off stress.

2. High in Omega 3: If you’re going to eat fat, then this is it. Omega 3 (the good fat) is important for heart health, brain function and normal growth and development. Canned tuna has about 95mg of Omega 3 and is one of the best sources you can eat to get your daily dose.

4. Long lasting: Canned tuna that has been unopened, undamaged and stored in normal conditions can last up to three years (wow!).

74

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

5. It’s safe: If you’re worried about all the mercury rumours being passed around, don’t be.

Nearly all fish contains some amount of mercury, but tuna has less than most. It’s okay to eat this pink fish about three times a week, while pregnant women should limit their servings to two to three a week.

8. Versatile fish: Not only is canned tuna a quick and easy snack, it really is more than just fish in a can. Prepare it in salads, pastas, tuna bakes or even top it on your favourite crackers.

6. High in vitamin D: Aside from sunlight being the best source of vitamin D, tuna comes pretty close, with one serving having more than one third of a daily dose.

Vitamin D is beneficial for your bones by regulating calcium absorption and it’s also important for normal growth and development.

9. Improves concentration: If you’re off to a foggy start to the morning then look no further.

Tuna contains a high level of DHA (docosahexaenoic), an essential fatty acid needed for brain function and growth. In fact, eating a can regularly for breakfast will help to improve your concentration and productivity throughout the day — it’s such clever fish.

7. High in protein: You really can’t beat a can of tuna when it comes to getting a quick hit of protein. An average can of tuna contains approximately 17 grams of protein — that’s huge! Keep reading for three more reasons to eat tuna.

10. Low GI: Yes, it’s true. Tuna will keep you feeling fuller for longer. And because you won’t need as much to feel full it means you’re less likely to overeat.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

75

FLEETMASTERS ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED

FEATURED ARTICLES

Other than Tuna,

SOCCSKSARGEN offers more

By: Omar M. Sabal

Probably, many of us are amazed with the huge tunas that are unloaded daily at Gensan’s world-class fish port.

This offers only a preview of even more exciting bounties that are found in the neighboring provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, and the City of Cotabato.

SOCCSKSARGEN is home to eleven coastal municipalities and cities and the remaining parts are 39 landlocked towns which are blessed with pristine environment and natural resources.

And to give you a glimpse of the hidden beauty of inland waters let me bring you to the two places where livelihoods flourish not only in agriculture but more distinctly in fisheries.

These are the towns of Banga and Lake Sebu, both in South Cotabato Province.

80

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

BANGA:

The home of the hardworking champions

Banga does not only boast of its warm and hospitable people but it also gives hope for others with its agriculture and fast growing tilapia hatchery business.

“It produces the largest volume of tilapia fingerling in Mindanao”, says Rex Vargas, the Provincial Fishery Coordinator of South Cotabato.

The municipality humbly offers a lot not to mention its peace-loving and hard-working citizens. It is blessed with natural supply of spring waters which sustain the hectares of fish ponds and hatcheries that are operated by a number of families.

The competitive constituents apparently cause the eminent progress of this town.

Recently, Mr. Marciano Rodriguez, a fish

farmer of the municipality was adjudged the best in the Region in Fish Culture Category of the national Gawad Saka search.

This eventually paved him the way to be one of the finalists in the national level of the competition which will be awarded in October this year.

Rodriguez’ business is hatching tilapia fingerlings that are distributed in other parts of the Region. He expands it with the inclusion of catfish fingerling, ornamental fish, freshwater shell locally known as agihis, and some agricultural products.

According to him, his 3.85-hectare ponds are the fruits of hard work which

he shares with his wife and children.

He said that the secret of his success is the conviction to survive and surpass difficulties.

Regional Gawad saka winner for corn farming. Like Rodriguez, he is also a strong contender for the national level of the prestigious award-giving body.

“Like many others, I also started from scratch but the trainings I got from BFAR complement my abilities to innovate the technologies that I am adopting now”, Rodriguez said.

It can be recalled that in November 2013, Leonardo Primne, another humble fish farmer of this town, emerged as the national Gawad saka awardee in Fish Culture category.

Primne impressed the judges with the way he applies techno-logy for his simple backyard ponds.

Few months ago, another farmer from the municipality was also named as the

Other than these achievements, Banga also gains advantage with the fact that many of its pond operators are already grouped into associations.

This is a strong foundation for the development of the municipality’s Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC).

FARMC is a policy advisory body in the locality that represents concerns of the fisherfolk for the development of their enterprises and their fisheries in general.

LAKE SEBU:

The mysterious summer capital Some people consider Lake Sebu the summer capital of the Region. We from the fisheries sector often call it the Tilapia Capital. Several others find it a mysterious place with all the lakes, falls, and natural landscapes that perfectly match with the harmonious interactions among its native inhabitants, settlers, and transient visitors. What matters most, anyway, is the totality of all these attributes.

Lake Sebu is proud of its God-given pristine bodies of water which generously accommodate growth of fish both in the wild and the cultured ones. The areas are suitable for tilapia cage culture which is a lucrative business for investors.

The fisheries activities of the town are centered on its three lakes, namely, Lake Sebu, Lake Seloton, and Lake Lahit. Most cages are located in Lake Sebu, some in Lake Seloton, while Lake Lahit is considered a free fishing zone.

All in all, the cages can produce seven tons of tilapia a day.

This contributes more than 50% of the municipality’s income and employs 10% of the total labor force.

In June 2013, there were 2,938 cages deployed in the lakes which were maintained by 386 operators using formulated feeds. Their activities entail utilization of 35% of the lake areas

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

81

LAKE SEBU: THE MYSTERIOUS SUMMER CAPITAL which cause pressure to the environment and to the people around. This is the reason why regulatory measures are put in place to mitigate adverse effects of human interventions to the lake.

Recently, the provincial government of South Cotabato led a clean-up drive which aimed to remove water lilies that create eye sores and impede routes for navigation. The activity also requires demolition of structures that are built within the 30-meter easement zone of the lake.

Eddie Casas, the chairman of the Barangay Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (BFARMC) of Barangay Poblacion, said that their group at the barangay, the Provincial Environmental Management Office (PEMO), and their municipal counterparts join hand in hand to regularly monitor water quality of the lake and pursue efforts to regulate all fisheries activities.

He said that their strategy is to gradually diminish the number of structures in the lake by thoroughly enforcing the laws. “We are actively campaigning for this cause until we lower down our lake utilization into

10%. It may require amendment of the local ordinance that governs management of the fisheries”, Casas added.

Many stakeholders are convinced with the advocacy to bring back the natural beauty of the lakes. These are easier said than done but ultimately what is needed is the commitment of all.

According to Carlos Legaste, a repre-sentative of the PEMO, the organizers are now preparing for a competition for the “Best Lake Shore” among the residents and stakeholders. “This is to motivate everybody to cooperate and the winner for the competition will be known in November in time for the celebration of Helubong Festival”, Legaste said.

s, THE ROLE OF BFAR, LGUES AND OTHER AGENCI

Banga and Lake Sebu truly epitomize inland fisheries in the region. They have gone mileage to propel for the development of their industry. Their investments to reach this far are hard work and dedication, thus, the credits they are reaping now are indications of a brighter future.

Their organizations and FARMC’s have relatively taken off. It implies that people have substantially realized the advocacy to balance production with conservation measures. Eventually, they are oriented on the brighter perspective of self-reliance, business, cooperation, and governance.

Behind all these are the key ingredients for strong partnership among organizations, FARMCs, Local Government Units (LGUs) both provincial and municipal levels, BFAR, and other agencies.

BFAR, for one, continues its mandates being the authority for fisheries management and development. It pursues its support to extend technical assistance by popularizing technology, marketing products, and empowering fisherfolk through registration and FARMC strengthening.

82

16

th

N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

Untitled-1 1

8/14/14 1:39 PM

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

83

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Citra Mina Group of Companies CMGC is the umbrella home of four corporations: Mommy Gina Tuna Corp., PhilFresh, Tuna Explorers, Inc., and the recently-closed and soon to-be-converted cannery Citra Mina Seafood Corporation, all doing business at the CMPHI compound in Tambler, Gen. Santos City.

L

ike a mother nurturing its chicks to become full-grown, all the corporations underneath the CMGC wings aspire and persistently strive to achieve excellence and become competitively recognized as A-1 producer and exporter of tuna products in the Philippines. The Citra Mina logo says it all: from “catch to customer”.

Behind the modest success attained by the conglomerate, there are the pivotal contributions of the employees, the communities and principally, the consumers. Nothing was ever easy but CMGC endeavored to become what its’ companies are today.

It thus bends itself backward to be of service to the society that has helped its’ companies attain patronage and growth.

In behalf of the four corporate members herein cited, CMGC is committed to uphold these gains for the welfare of society, including the people and environment. Its primordial concern is to conserve marine resources, protect the environment, contribute to enhance life and property, the health and safety of the workers and all the goals everyone is yearning to attain.

As a socially responsible organization, the corporations collectively take part in worthwhile activities in alliance with both private and government sectors. They take responsible action to comply with legal requirements, ethical standards and international norms. Priorities are set and results are measured to create the opportunity to promote positive, social and environmental change.

84

16

th

N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

Health Activities Bloodletting This project started in 2009 in close cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross−GenSan Chapter. The 5th annual bloodletting drive at the CMPHI Business Compound on June 13, 2014 netted sixteen thousand two hundred (16,200) milliliters of blood from 36 proud donors who received membership cards from the PRC− GenSan Chapter.

Environmental Activities Tree Planting Begun in 2010, tree planting has become an annual activity of the CMGC. Together with the local government unit of Calumpang and City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), employees plant 400 Acle seedlings at Makar River, Purok Quilantang, Brgy. Calumpang, GSC on June 25, 2014.

Coastal Cleanup Since year 2009, the CMGC conglomerate has supported the Presidential Proclamation No. 470, Series of 2003, which declared that every third Saturday of the month of September as the Philippine National Coastal Clean-up Day. With International Coastal Cleanup theme, “Ang kalimpyo, usa ka kadaugan”, CMGC with CENRO joined the ICC global campaign to protect the oceans and clean waterways.

Sixteen (16) MGTR employees participated in properly disposing off of solid wastes and rubbish materials at the City’s dump sites.

85

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Citra Mina Group of Companies SAFETY, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE First Aid Training, Fire Fighting and Bomb Threat Drills Conscious of its responsibility to protect life and property, CMGC collaborated with the Bureau of Fire Protection and EOD− Philippine Army of Task Force Gensan in training employees at the CMPHI compound on what to do during an emergency and be prepared in times of unexpected incidents at the workplace.

Since 2010, CMGC and PRC−GenSan Chapter had been partners in teaching first aid lessons to all employees of the four corporations. In a two-day session held June 19-20, 2014 at the CMPHI Business Compound, the employees learned Emergency First Aid application, including life saving skills such as CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation), severe bleeding, choking plus many others.

PHILIPPINES CORPORATION

GOIS DOUBLE ROLLER PURSE RINGS WITH SECURE PUSH-BUTTON LOCK Gois A3 for Larger Tuna Seiners

MAYEKAWA is one of the most advanced companies in manufacturing industrial refrigeration compressors that have been popular as MYCOM compressors.

OUR technology is being applied in a wide range of industries. *Food *Marine *Fisheries *Leisure *Agriculture *Environment *Livestock *Logistics *Dairy *Beverages *Breweries *Others *Oil, Gas & Chemical

HEAD OFFICE: th

4 Floor Unit A & B, Suntree Tower #13 Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig City, Philippines Phone No.: 632-7060473 Facsimile: 632-7060475 Website: www.mayekawa.com Email: kugenuma@mayekawaphil.com

Gois A4XX for Larger Sardine Seiners

GENSAN OFFICE:

3rd Floor Insular Life Bldg.

Pioneer Avenue General Santos City Philippines Telefax: 6383-3012698

Rings Around the World, Ltd.

4032 Helix St., Suite A, Spring Valley, CA U.S.A. Phone: (619) 667-3150 Fax: (619) 667-3151

www.ringsaroundtheworld.com Contact: jgois@ringsaroundtheworld.com

GOIS roller purse rings for any size of purse seine vessel

SFFAII UPDATES

O

nce again we have proven how resilient the Filipino Spirit is.

para sa Mangingisda ng Visayas.”

Knowing that the fisherfolks were among the badly hit being situated in coastal areas, SFFAII deemed it The wreak havoc brought about by strategic to help them get back on super typhoon Yolanda after it made their feet to enable them to fish again the soonest time possible and landfall in Central Philippines on eventually provide food for their November 8, 2013, had shaken to the ground the spirits of millions of respective communities.

Filipinos beyond imagination. With Having been tapped by the Bureau thousands of death tolls, multibillion property losses and damages, of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources everything seemed so surreal. Every on December 10 as partner to their AHON Program with essentially the Filipino would have wished that it was only a bad dream we could have same purpose, SFFAII channelled awaken from. However, everything was so real, so real that had ‘moved’ fellow Filipinos from all parts of the country and our brothers from other countries to acts of love and compassion. The members and friends of the Philippine Tuna Industry were no exception.

As early as November 13 just after 8 days from the onset of Yolanda, the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) spearheaded the relief operations for typhoon victims and launched the fundraising campaign through the “The Filipino Spirit is Unsinkable” Shirt and the “Piso

88

16

th

N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

the funds raised to the beneficiaries of AHON program. This was considered a more targeted approach. The BFAR had identified the fishing communities and they had the network and resources to reach the fisherfolk victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

On February 27, 2014, in Tacloban City, SFFAII turned over 252 fishing boats for 504 families of fishermen with the hope that these would make a difference in their journey towards recovery.

The devastation Typhoon Yolanda inflicted the Philippines in November 2013 may be one of the greatest and most extensive the Filipinos have seen and experienced in recent history. But like how typical Filipino family ties are during challenging seasons, the calamity only made connections and cooperation between and among individuals and organizations stronger and tighter.

SFFAII & AHON T

he AHON! Rehabilitation Initiative, one among the programs launched to restore the lives and livelihoods of Filipinos affected by the super typhoon, is a testament to the effectiveness of partnerships forged among public offices, private companies and individuals, and the affected citizens themselves.

Initially introduced by the government through the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), AHON! has been and is still serving as an avenue for people and organizations to extend livelihood support to thousands of affected fisherfolk families. One of the organizations involved in the rehabilitation campaign from the very beginning is the SOCCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc., (SFFAII), which became a channel through which the private sector is able to contribute to the faster recovery of the fisheries sector. Together with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (CCCI), SFFAII received cash donations for the rehabilitation initiative from private companies and individuals as the DA-BaFAR cannot accept and hold such contributions. All donations through SFFAII have been used to buy and distribute boat-making materials, fishing gears, and other farm implements to fisherfolk in municipalities ravaged by the Indeed, SFFAII’s involvement in AHON! is instrumental.

SFFAII’s example demonstrates what the government and typhoon. the private sector can do together to provide support for Filipinos especially in times of calamities. This kind of To date, SFFAII is still playing a big role in the continuous success of AHON!, which has already helped in the repair partnership is becoming increasingly invaluable in delivering utmost service for the common people, in this case, the and or construction of more than 26,000 units of fishing country’s resilient fisherfolk. boats, allowing more and more fisherfolk each day to start anew.

As AHON! continues to strive for its completion, the DABFAR, SFFAII and many other organizations and individuals With SFFAII as one of the initiative’s cash custodians, involved in the rehabilitation initiative commit to work donations have been kept and handled responsibly and with accountability. It also made support from partners in more closely to help every fisherfolk get back on their feet and live better lives. /BFAR-IPRG other countries come faster and more efficient.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

89

SFFAII UPDATES

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

O

ver the years, SOCSKSARGEN Federation and Fishing and Allied industries, Inc. has been living up to its commitment to the fishing industry acting as catalyst towards attaining fishing industry’s sustainability and global competitiveness through advocacy work in the local, national and international level.

Likewise, we take our role in the community seriously, and aim to do more than our advocacy work. Through community outreach, our organization hopes to give back and help encourage social involvement of our members.

Potential engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and artists are in our schools, but they may not have a chance to pursue their dreams due to economic difficulty. Their parents dream of a better life for their children and strive hard to provide well for them, but in many cases, even

90

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

just the provision of food for each household’s table is already a struggle.

For Children everywhere, education is the best hope for breaking free from poverty. Yet even school supplies are hard to come by for the millions of Filipino children whose families struggle just to buy food. To help ensure these children have the tools they need to learn, National Tuna Congress Executive Committee led by Chairman Mr. Joaquin T. Lu, committed to allocate a portion of the event’s profit to donate school and office supplies to students in greatest need.

For two years now, SOCSKSARGEN Federation and Fishing and Allied industries, Inc. in partnership with Gensan’s Tuna Fishing Industry Sector and friends, embraced Samboang Ngilay Public High School in Batomelong, General Santos City as

their adopted school.

To address the lack of the much needed implements in their school, SFFAII’s Staff and Members went on a feeding mission and distributed school supplies, bags, office supplies for faculty use, Technology and Home Economic aids and supplies, sports paraphernalia , and sound system.

With this initiative, our organization aims to give a child the opportunity to enjoy his right to education, to open his eyes to the wonders and challenges of the world, to pursue his dreams, and to contribute capably towards the nation’s progress. ― Francis of Assisi

91

SFFAII UPDATES

SFFAII Executive Director heads GSC SMEDCI “Umaalingawngaw na Tinig at Naguumigting na Alyansa.” This is the battle cry by which the current administration of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council, Incorporated is guided with the specific goal of “making the voices of the MSMEs be heard loud and clear, and forging and strengthening alliances to pave the way for a better business environment for SMEs in the city.”

The SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) one of the founding members of the General Santos City Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council Inc. (SMEDCI) and now holds the Presidency for the year 2014-2015.

Since 2006, SMEDCI has been the implementor- partner of the Local Government of General Santos City for its MSME projects such as the Yabong Maliliit na Negosyo sa GenSan which is fondly called YAMAN Gensan or YG. Yaman Gensan is the month-long business festival of the city which usually runs from mid of June till mid of July. YG stands to provide basic information and assistance to current and prospective entrepreneurs, facilitate access to technology and financing, initiate business development and promotion activities, and link local MSMEs with

92

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

counterpart industry associations. It showcases trade fairs, fora, conferences, seminars and trainings. From Day 1 of its inception, SMEDCI had organized over 350 activities with over forty thousand participants from Day 1.

SMEDCI is also the LGU’s partner for the Intellectual Property Business Development Services Project and One Town, One Product or OTOP project. In 2009, it was recognized and awarded by DTI, OTOP Philippines and SMED Council Region XII as the City Outstanding OTOP Partner for the years 2005-2009 and the Outstanding OTOP Partner in Region 12. In 2010, SMEDCI was recognized by the National OTOP Awards and awarded as the 2010 Most Supportive OTOP Partner Organization Finalist.

Over the years, SMEDCI has continuously touched the lives of entrepreneurs. We have seen the likes of Fely Into of Ellyne’s Tuna Chicharon, Joel and Rose Pangan of Gensan Dried Fish Maker Association, Fe Sumajit of Kymkits Food Products, Ramon and Belma Gabaldon of KM Foods, Rosana Baguio of Rose Chie Food Products, Pamela Eugenio of Treasures Healthy Foods and Luciano Velasco of GKI Multipurpose Cooperative. All of them growing over the years.

Under the leadership of Ms. Rosanna Bernadette Contreras, SMEDCI intends to keep this commitment this year and for more years to come. First, SMEDCI will further strengthen what it already has.

It will work together towards institutional strengthening through review and amendment of its by-laws and building up of its membership. With SFFAII taking the lead and with cooperation of its member associations like Mindanao Business Forum Inc., General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., Philexport Region XII Chapter, Producers Association

of Region 12, City Bankers Association of General Santos City, Notre Dame Business Resource Center Foundation Inc. and the General Santos Foundation Inc., this is not impossible.

Secondly, believing that MSMEs are a blessing to towns and cities, to the region and to the country, SMEDCI will intensify its advocacy work through active representation and participation in public consultations and holding of SMEDCI Kapihan, an attempt to regularly meet up with groups of MSMEs in the city to provide timely and relevant information and at the same time hear them out for the challenges they are currently facing. Furthermore, SMEDCI will continue to organize the MSME Regional Congress to create a venue for all MSME stakeholders to gather, exchange information and pass much needed resolutions. As member of the General Santos City Investment Board, SMEDCI will ensure that interests of MSMEs will be protected. What this really means is that if SMEDCI has been visible and available in the past, it will strive to be more so in the months ahead, in the year ahead. SMEDCI will speak for MSMEs. SMEDCI will forward their cause. SMEDCI will let people know how much MSMEs are making a difference now and even in the past.

The President looks forward to the establishment of the first General Santos City MSME Development Center in partnership with the Local Government of General Santos City under the administration of Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera, the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Science and Technology.

The Center is envisioned to be a multipurpose Center for MSME development.

This will serve as a training center, business incubation center, knowledge management center and the headquarters of the General Santos City Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council, Inc. (GSC

SMEDCI).

As a training center equipped with stateof-art audio-visual equipment it will facilitate regular trainings, seminars, techno-transfer sessions that may be conducted in small groups of up to 25 to bigger groups of 50 participants.

As a business incubation center, open cube spaces may be rented out to new businesses or to people wishing to start businesses. They serve fledgling businesses by making space available, offering management, marketing, financial and legal advice, and providing clerical assistance, all of which help lower operating costs. An incubator tenant can be fully operational the day after moving in, without buying phones, renting a copier, or hiring office employees.

To provide much needed information on latest technologies and market, the CENTER will be equipped with computer stations and library system with latest publications, directories, books, researches and other references for entrepreneurs.

In a nutshell, the GSC MSMED Center will be a place of birthing, growing, and strengthening MSMEs.

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

93

SFFAII UPDATES

SFFAII chairs Agrilink-FoodlinkAqualink 2014

Agrilink-Foodlink-Aqualink 2014 is a triple exhibit happening on October 9-11 at the World Trade Center. It is considered as the Philippines’ largest and most influential trade exhibition on agriculture, food and aquaculture featuring local and international products and technologies. This year’s theme, “Agribusiness Clusters: Key to Competitiveness within ASEAN” emphasizes the

importance of strengthening the performance and competitiveness of small and medium agribusinesses through clustering of production, postharvest and other inter-related agricultural facilities along the value chain.

improved competitiveness within ASEAN and beyond.

This year’s Agrilink, the Tuna Industry is its focal industry.

SFFAII President Joaquin T. Lu serves as the Chairman of Agrilink 2014 which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, its regional units Tuna Industry has demonstrated and allied agencies and cothe effectiveness of clustering organized by 30 agribusiness of inter-related facilities along and food organizations its value chain resulting to nationwide.

SFFAII UPDATES: Meetings & Conferences

10th WCPFC Regular Session in Cairns, Australia on December 2-6, 2013

9th WCPFC Session of Technical and Compliance Committee in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia on Sept. 26- October 1, 2013

10th Regular Session of WCPFC Scientific Committee on August 6-14, 2014 in Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands

96

16

th

N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

10th Regular Session of WCPFC Scientific Committee on August 6-14, 2014 in Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands

MSME Going Global Conference on June 20-21, 2104 at KCC Convention Center

Philippine Public Meeting on ASEAN Shrimp Standards in General Santos City

Steering Committee Meeting on Fisheries Improvement Protocol for ASEAN Region on July 11-12, 2014 at Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Steering Committee Meeting on ASEAN Shrimp Standards on July 14-15, 2014 at Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

97

The Making of the Philippine Tuna Capital

Mr. Marfenio Y. Tan, SFFAII President (2006-2011)

L

ast year, 2012, General Santos City Fish Port Complex (GSCFPC) edged all other fish ports in the country in total fish landing with a total of 139,613 metric tons (MT) gaining the status as the country’s premier fish producer.

In 2009, General Santos City or Gensan recorded the highest fish landing in the country for the decade or the past ten (10) years with 143,316 MT of which 92% or 132,211 MT were yellowfin tuna and tuna-like species.

The city also topped in 2010 with 143,139 MT of fish landing with tuna accounting 91.6% or 131,127 MT. Being a consistent leader in fish landing volume more specifically of tuna and tuna-like species and being the home to six (6) of the country’s seven (7) tuna canning plants, Gensan has sustained and upheld the title “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”.

Allow me to recount the story on how this city by the bay came to earn that title.

102

16

th

N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

Fishing in Sarangani Bay

Sarangani Bay was the access point of the first recorded batch of Christian colonizers of the southernmost tip of Mindanao in 1914. The same bay was the landing site of Gen. Paulino Santos and his team when they surveyed the proposed resettlement area in 1938.

After which, the first batch of settlers landed on February 27, 1939 on the then Municipality of Buayan, now General Santos City.

Before the 1940s, small scale sustenance fishing using primitive methods were being undertaken by few people living around the coast.

The arrival of migrants from Visayas and Luzon in the mid-1940s marked the beginning of the growth and development of fishing.

Various fishing methods like “basnig” (or bag net), “sensoro” (or ring net), “pamunit” and “pamasol” (or hook and line), “baling” (or beach seine), “bunsod/baklad” (fish trap), “patuloy” (drift gill net), “sudsud” (push net), and other methods were used by migrants from Leyte, Bohol, Iloilo, Cebu, and the Ilocos regions.

Commercial Fishing and Purse Seining

The precursor of the modern method of purse seining was called “guyodguyod” which means “to pull” and the operations were done manually with non-motorized “banca” or paddled fishing boats.

In 1956, the Congson family of Ormoc, Leyte moved from Talomo, Davao to Dadiangas (old name of Gen. Santos City) due to the scarcity of catch in their fishing business.

Luciano Congson, the patriarch, pioneered the use of motorized banca powered by 25 horsepower outboard engines, popular brands

of which were “Johnson” and “Evenrude”. The smaller engines gave way to larger ones which allowed the “sensoro” to reach farther distances and the nets covering a circumference of between 100 to 120 meters.

Innovation and Improvement

One of Luciano’s son, Dominico Congson or “Doming” as he was more popularly known, with the support of his wife Flor, blazed the trail in marketing the fish catches to different municipalities in South and North Cotabato and Davao by personally negotiating 12-14 hour drive of rugged terrain.

His characteristic innovation and determination led him to redesigning the traditional fishing boats they were using. Months of trial and error resulted to fishing nets that ripped off or twisted during experimental operations. After 18 months, Doming was able to s uccessfully operate the newly designed and improved fishing system anchored on five (5) main features: 1) motorized launch (locally called lantsa) which carried the net; 2) motorized skiff boat which pulled the “payao” or fish aggregating device from the periphery of the net; 3) light boat which carries incandescent lamp powered by mounted generator; 4) ring nets three (3) times the size of the “sensoro”; and 5) service boats with bigger ice boxes.

The new method which saved time and effort in hauling the net on and off the “sampana” after each operation was called “unay”, a Cebuano term that means permanent or fixed position, since the net stays fixed on the lansta’s place. The term “unay” was also applied to the “mother boat”. This breakthrough signaled the heavy entry of purse seining and the 1970s saw the proliferation of “unay” fleets and “payaos” in Sarangani Bay, Moro Gulf, and Celebes Sea.

Technological Advancement

Innovation in technology continued in different fronts that spurred the growth of the industry. Introduction of power blocks eased the hauling of catch and the closing of the bottom of net with hydraulic process.

The arrival of “super seiners” with sophisticated communication equipment and built-in cold storages and brining facilities resulted to fish carriers with at least 300 MT capacities. The payao which generates algae and barnacles that attract and aggregate the fishes has been redesigned to increase cost-efficiency and effectiveness. The use of light trucks as “fish cars” has also increased hauling efficiency from former capacity of 500-600 kilograms to 9 metric tons or more.

Historic Legal Precedent

The increase of fish catch also necessitated the increase of ice production which posed a problem for the fishermen as the ice plant business then was operated under a sole franchise or exclusive operation under existing laws. The Congson family took the risk in putting up an independent ice plant to support its fishing operation which was in danger of bankruptcy due to shortage of ice supply. A legal dispute ensued that led the Supreme Court to rule that Congson Ice Plant can legally continue and operate in the interest of economic progress. This pioneering legal precedent caused Congress to enact laws leading to the eventual deregulation of the ice plant industry in the country and benefited the whole of the business community. Nowadays,

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

103

With determination, all these discouraging experiences are now merely part of the “adventure” that has led me to witness the growth of this city as the country’s Tuna Capital.

Expanding the Market

General Santos City has one of the highest numbers of ice plants in the country with registered count of fifteen (15) plants and ten (10) cold storage companies.

I remember a time in the history of fishing here in Gensan that the fishers, including myself, buried unsold and leftover tuna along the beaches of fish landing in Roundball, boundary of Barangay Bula and Barangay Dadiangas South, as the catch was plenty but the buyers few.

Determination and Hardwork

The fishermen searched for more buyers and hoped to expand the reach of the market.

The Philippine Tuna Capital is born of hardwork and determination of the fishermen of this city. I have witnessed this in the lives of my colleagues in the industry and have personally experienced the trials and challenges that come with the business.

In the year 1970, at the age of 23 years old and after marrying my loving wife Rosalina, I learned the fishing business from my parents-in-law. With their help, I was able to repair an old pumpboat with a starting capital of 200 pesos. After just one week of operation, the pumpboat capsized! Reviving it and continuing the usual operation in a span of three (3) months, the pumpboat again met with mishap while anchored in the shorelines of Lumasal, Maasim. It was wrecked by huge sea waves!

After this 2nd setback, I tried again. Accompanied by my then pregnant wife, we went to Glan to buy a new pumpboat. When we were to set for its maiden journey home, two (2) successive storms forced us to stay in Gumasa which had our relative in Bula and Maasim thinking that we met misfortune as we had no contact for about 10 to 12 days. Good weather favored our trip back to Maasim in November of 1970.

Another challenge was faced on the night of March 3, 1971, while fishing on the high seas with two (2) of my companions. The ordeal was not unique as many of my contemporaries during that period has suffered the same. We encountered an approaching pumpboat with five armed men on board that forced us to abandon our fishing boat to avoid being killed. The modus operandi of the sea pirates in the southern seas became known as “Ambak, pare!” (translated “Jump, comrade!”). We survived the open sea for ten (10) long hours with the aid of a buoy and were rescued and arrived the shores of Maasim after 1:00 PM the following day starving and thirsty.

104

16

th

N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

In 1972, a business associate, Mr. De Leon of Ronquillo Trading, from whom I bought engine spare parts, asked me on the nature of my business. I told him that I was in the fishing industry and caught tuna. He followed up by asking what kind of tuna. I enumerated that we caught all kinds including yellowfin, skipjack, bigeye, bullet tuna and also galunggong and mackerel. This conversation led to the introduction of Sikatuna Fishing Industry of Zamboanga to send their manager purposely to buy tuna for export. The Gensan fishers were given one (1) month to fill-up their 300 ton capacity ship. The exporters were willing to buy skipjack at 1 peso per kilo which was selling locally at 50 centavos. The yellowfin tuna which was sold locally at 1 peso per kilo, they bought at 3 pesos.

We were able to meet the required demand of the exporter in only 15 days.

Word about the tuna shipment to Japan quickly spread.

After a week, Ricsan, another trading company, also moored its refrigerated ship off the shores across the General Santos City public market today. In less than a month, pineapple giant Del Monte Philippines also sent its own ship. A month later, General Santos City-based Dole Philippines, Inc. followed in buying tuna from local fishermen.

SOCOFA (South Cotabato Fishing Association)

The year was 1974 when the National Fisheries Commission was convened in Manila wherein President Ferdinand Marcos instructed the fisherfolks to organize themselves by association to be fully represented in the national government. After the convention, Noy Doming, Dario Lauron, and I talked

together in organizing an association composed of any person directly or indirectly involved in the industry – fisherfolks, labashera, laborer, biyahera, and the people working in the fish landing – to be the united vigilant voice of the fishing industry in the south.

The South Cotabato Fishing Association or SOCOFA was founded in1977 under the leadership of Doming Congson with twenty (20) deep sea fishermen rallying behind his leadership. SOCOFA was formally registered in 1979 with Doming as president. In November of same year, Doming visited Malacanang and appealed to President Marcos to establish a fish port in Gen. Santos City. Unfortunately, Congressman Narciso Monfort of Iloilo City objected to the proposition on the ground that Iloilo had long time been pushing for their fish port but was never acted upon.

With the decision of the President Marcos to prioritize the fish port in Iloilo City, Doming pioneered the construction of his own private fish port. This was later followed by others including me, Rudy Rivera, Pat Amadeo, Felix Pontino, and Larry Damalerio.

Entry of the Tuna Canneries

Again, Doming, as leader of SOCOFA, personally invited Mr. Evaristo – Vice President of Purefoods, to transfer their canning factory from Cebu City to Gen. Santos City, since they suffered zero production in fish canned. After a series of visits, Doming ultimately received a favorable reply from Mr. Evaristo, saying, “Doming, yung hinihingi mo approved na ng Board. We will be there to look for an area for the canning site. Please meet us at the airport.”

Purefoods Corporation opened in 1982. Two years later, Sancanco Canning Corporation, sister company of Sta. Monica Corporation, followed suit. Three (3) more canneries opened during the 1990s with combined capacity of 570 MT/day for the five (5) plants.

Currently, out of the seven (7) tuna canneries in the Philippines, six (6) are operating in General Santos that includes the following: Alliance (90-140 MT/day), Celebes (75 MT/day), GenTuna (200 MT/day), Ocean (45-80 MT/day), Philbest (120 MT/day), and Seatrade (80 MT/day) with combined estimated output of 695 MT/day.

General Santos City Fish Port Complex (GSCFPC) Doming served for four consecutive years as president with monumental achievements. I followed as the next

SOCOFA president and was called to represent the association in formulating the Fisheries Code in Baguio City.

The fishing industry stakeholders once again deemed it the right time to build the Gensan Fish Port under the administration of President Corazon Aquino. In 1987, Mr. Carlos Dominquez, then the secretary of the Department of Agriculture came to visit the city. He called me and mentioned that BFAR already has an existing port with cold storage in Calumpang. I told him that the property was too small, its causeway not usable, and right-of-way was non-existent. I called up Rudy Rivera and together with Mr. Dominguez on board my yacht, we surveyed the best possible site for the proposed fish port. I pointed out the 32 hectare property of Mr. Yabon, encouraging the DA secretary that government purchase the property. I remarked that there is no substitute for said location and that if the fish port will not be built there, that we might as well forget the fish port as a whole.

Fortunately, the government pushed through in buying the property. $200 million fund was granted by donors for the SOC-GEN Integrated Area Development Project of which the GSC Fish Port is included under the Japanese Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF). I was sent to Tokyo, Japan accompanying DPWH Secretary Singson to sit down with the board in the pledging session in 1989.

The Making of the Philippine Tuna Capital

In 1990, the Feasibility Study for the port was completed.

Master Plan of the port was updated in 1992.

Construction of the fish port started in December of 1994 with total project cost of Php 822 million and by 1999 was fully operational with three (3) harbor basins.

In 2003, contract of agreement between the Department of Agriculture and China Constructional and Agricultural Marketing Import and Export Corporation (CAMC) was signed for the expansion/improvement of the fish port.

By 2007, the project with total cost of $27.3 million was completed.

The General Santos City Fish Port Complex (GSCFPC) is the country’ major tuna unloading port with major components that include deep wharves, cold storage and processing area, port handling equipment, power substation, waste water treatment plant, water supply system, and other ancillary facilities. Two (2) cold storage plants operate at negative (-) 35°C with combined capacity of 3,000 metric tons. To cater to the landing and trading requirement of its clientele, four (4) major landing quays/ wharves and four market halls are also managed.

Operation of the fish port paved the way for larger and higher quality fisheries production, serving the needs of both large and small fish producers and processors.

The port supplies majority of the fish raw material requirement of the six tuna canning factories of the city.

Equally important, is the laboratory facility inside the complex utilized specifically for testing the quality of tuna bound for international trade. It is owned and managed by the private non-government organization Phil Export.

In support of our tuna exporters, the GSCFPC sustains its adherence to the principles of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) / Good Handling Practices (GHP) and the Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOP) to

comply with the stringent requirement in food safety of the importing countries such as the EU and the USA. After the fish port passé the sanitation and handling requirements of the European Union in early 2008, significant increase of processed tuna exports to EU markets resulted.

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), which manages the fish port, aims to continuously improve the port facilities and develop more efficient fish certification system that meet international standards to be more competitive in the ASEAN and international market.

SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII)

As the tuna industry in the city grew, so too did problems and challenges that the industry faced. One particular issue came up in 1999 wherein because of 111 fishermen arrested in Palau for encroaching in their fishing grounds and numerous violations committed by pump boat operators, diplomatic ties with Palau government was in jeopardy.

At that time, several associations were already organized to represent the various sectors of the fishing industry. SOCOFA evolved into SOCOPA or South Cotabato Purse-Seiners Association as it better represented the particular sector. Industry-related organizations included the Southern Philippines Boat Owners and Tuna Association (SPBOTA), Umbrella Fish Landing Association (UFLA), Tuna Cooperative of General Santos City (TUNA COOP), and some other groups that have ceased to exist at present. But even with the many associations, to quote Mr. Domingo Teng, “most of them were somehow inward looking… and seems to be quite fragmented as an industry, not acting as one, so less was attended to the policy environment of the industry.”

With the looming diplomatic challenge with Palau, the then City Mayor Adelbert Antonino suggested in one meeting that the industry should group and unite into one body, so that one singular voice can be heard nationally and internationally, and can lobby for some assistance to the national government.

In May of 1999, an organizational meeting was facilitated by the SOCSARGEN – ADPO (Area Development Project Office) under the leadership of Director Meriam Amerkhan. The fishing associations with several government agencies that included the LGUs of General Santos City and Sarangani Province, BFAR, Philippine Coast Guard, DTI, PFDA, and GEM established themselves as the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing Associations and Allied Industries. Mr. Domingo Teng was elected as the chairman with Mr. Joaquin Lu as co-chairman.

The following year 2000, SFFAII was awarded by USAID a grant in the total of Php 1.5 Million to fund salary of office personnel, promotion activities, and technical assistance on policy issues, through the proposal of GEM (Growth with Equity in Mindanao) – General Santos.

Since then, the Federation – now officially called the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Incorporated or SFFAII, has blazed the path in several fronts, significantly contributed to the industry, and played a big role in sustaining the title of Gensan as the tuna capital of the Philippines.

Over the years, SFFAII has been effectively fulfilling its vision-mission being instrumental to the passing of legislation, policies, and regulations by participating in assemblies and public consultations. It has memberships in the policy and advisory bodies of the Department of Agriculture such as the National Tuna Industry Council, National Agriculture and Fisheries Council-Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Resource Management

Council. The Federation has been actively participating as part of the Philippine delegation in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Locally, it has membership in committees of the General Santos City Local Government’s Committees on Bankability, Competitiveness, and Good Governance as well as being one of the board members of General Santos Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Inc. (GSC-SMEDCI).

The Federation is a non-government, non-profit umbrella organization of seven (7) associations with over 120 companies involved in fishing, canning, fish processing, aquaculture production and processing, and other allied industries. Its membership cuts across the entire value chain from the capture fisheries sector, composed of the hand line group, the small, medium and large commercial ring netters, and purse seine operators, to the fish processing sector composed of the big canning operators, fresh chilled and frozen processors, and value adding processors. Based in General Santos City, it is governed by a Board of 14 Directors with the Executive Director supervising the day-to-day operations and spearheading all advocacy works.

At present, the member-associations include: 1) Southern Philippines Boat Owners and Tuna Association (SPBOTA), 2) South Cotabato Purse Seiners Association (SOCOPA), 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 - Tuna Processors Philippines, Inc. (FFSA-TPPI), and 7) Tuna Cooperative of General Santos City (Tuna Coop).

As we continue the tradition of advocacy and active support and participation in relevant issues and immediate concerns affecting the fishing industry, the Federation hosts this annual National Tuna Congress, now on its 16th year!

TAIYO ENTERPRISE

Lot 13 Abigail St., Hobart I Subdivision Regalado Avenue , Fairview Park Quezon City , Philippines 1107 Tel. No : (632) 952-9275 / 951-1658 / 427-4732 Fax No. : (632) 952-9272 Email Address : info@taiyoent.com Website : www.taiyoent.com

DIRECT IMPORTER

* Generator Set * Cylinder Liners & Pistons * Piston Ring * Cylinder Head * Connecting Rod * Nozzle, Plunger & Deliver Valve * Connecting Rod Bolt * Detailed Serration * PIn Bush * Engrave Certification on Con-Rod * Piston Crown * Temperature & Sensors * Pneumatic Valve * Governor & Turbo Charger / Parts*

FRESH FROZEN SEAFOODS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILS., INC.

TRANS-PACIFIC JOURNEY FISHING CORP.

1094-A NORTH BLVD., NAVOTAS CITY TEL. NO.: 282-8812 FAX.: (632)282-6538 E-MAIL: tpj@tuna.ph

FRIENDS

OF THE PHILIPPINE

TUNA INDUSTRY

DADIANGAS ORIENT MARKETING NIPPON ENTERPRISES, INC. WIRE ROPE CORP OF THE PHILS CHL FISHING SAN LORENZO RUIZ FISHING INC. THUNNIDAE VENTURES, INC. SOLID SHIPPING LINES MATS TRAINING CENTER

116

1 6 th N a t i o n a l Tu n a C o n g r e s s

SAMBON INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION CELEBES CANNING CORPORATION TRINITY HOMES INDUSTRIAL CORP RD GROUP OF COMPANIES STARCKI TUNA VENTURES RUGELA FISHING IND., INC. GENSAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE., IND., INC NH AGRO INDUSTRIAL CORP ROEL FISHING INDUSTRY, INC. SOUTHERN MINDANAO COMMODITY, INC. PEPSI COLA BOTTLERS PHILS., INC TANDUAY DISTILLERS, INC CONSOLIDATED DISTILLERS OF FAR EAST (CARLO ROSSI) TEN POINT MANUFACTURING, INC. PHIL. CINMIC INDUSTRIAL CORP. CITRA MINA GROUP OF COMPANIES STA. CRUZ SEAFOODS, INC. GENERAL TUNA CORPORATION GENSAN WATER RESOURCES, INC. OCEAN CANNING CORPORATION PHILBEST CANNING CORPORATION SOL FISH TUNA TRADERS JOLEMFI CORPORATION SEATRADE CANNING CORPORATION ST. ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, INC. ALLIANCE TUNA SELECT INTERNATIONAL, INC. MAHILUM FISHING

ACKNOWLEDGMENT City Economic Management & Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO) CEMCDO – Tourism Division GenSan Artist’s Association Golden State College Happy Fishermen/Umbrella Fish Landing Association STI College 1002nd Infantry Brigade, 10ID, PA 12th PCAS, Aviation Security Group General Santos City Police Office Joint Task Force GenSan Philippine National Police Regional Office (PRO) 12 Regional Protection and Escort Unit 12 SOCOPA Security Agency, Inc. General Santos City Local Government Unit Congressional District of South Cotabato & General Santos City Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources SOCSKSARGEN ADPO PMU Department of Trade & Industry ABS CBN GenSan Water Resources

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

117

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman Members

Joaquin T. Lu (CMGC) Dexter G. Teng (TSPMI) Dominic Salazar (THIDCOR) Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras (SFFAII) Meriam L. Buguis (CEMCDO) Domingo T. Teng (TSPMI) Marfenio Y. Tan (SAFI)

FINANCE COMMITTEE Chairman Members

Dexter G. Teng (TSPMI) Marfenio Y. Tan (SAFI) Kenrick G. Teng (TSPMI) Mary Pauline Concepcion (TSPMI) Virgie A. de Dios (SFFAII)

CONGRESS PROGRAM & RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Members

118

Dominic Salazar (THIDCOR) Meriam L. Buguis (CEMCDO) Dexter G. Teng (TSPMI) Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras (SFFAII) Ginalyn Fe C. Cachuela (ADPO PMU) Ambutong Pautong (BFAR) Dino Barrientos (UFLA) Ronan Villagonzalo (CEMCDO) Shalimar S. Abdurahman (SFFAII) Annie Cabreros (PHILBEST)

SOUVENIR PROGRAM COMMITTEE Chairman Members

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

SECRETARIAT & DOCUMENTATION COMMITTEE Chairman Members

Rosanna Bernadette B. Contreras(SFFAII) Shalimar S. Abdurrahman (SFFAII) Virgie A. de Dios (SFFAII) Peche V. Abellana (SFFAII) Christina Y. Ca単ete (SFFAII) Juetchin C. Andagan (SFFAII) Arlie N. Cruz (SOCOPA) Armando C. Pastrana (SOCOPA)

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Chairman Members

Noel Lorenzo (SLRFI) Joe Briones (THIDCOR)

PUBLIC RELATIONS / INFORMATION COMMITTEE Chairman Members

Meriam L. Buguis (CEMCDO) Maria Cora C. Tito (CEMCDO) Papoose Cruz (CEMCDO)

FOOD & DRINKS COMMITTEE Chairman Members

Sol Mananquil (Mt. Sabrina) Virgie A. de Dios (SFFAII) Arlie N. Cruz (SOCOPA) Rosalia Polito (Jams Restobar)

EXHIBIT COMMITTEE Chairman

Members

Arnel V. Sayco (DTI) Edgar A. Soguilon (DTI) Christi L. dela Rosa (DTI) Peche V. Abellana (SFFAII)

VIP RECEPTION COMMITTEE Chairman

Members

Domingo T. Teng (TSPMI) Isidro “Jun” Uy (TVI) Dino Barrientos (UFLA) Trecy L. Granfon (RFII) Cora Tito (CEMCDO) Allan Punay (ATO) Eric V Du (NH Agro)

VENUE & PHYSICAL ARRANGEMENT COMMITTEE Chairman Member

Bing Cariño (GENSAN Artists Ass’n) Mike Esponilla (GENSAN Artists Ass’n)

SPORTS & GAMING COMMITTEE Chairman

Members

Isidro Lumayag (CHL) Andrestine T. Tan (SAFII) Roel Granfon (RFII) Dino Barrientos James Damalerio (DFCTV) Raymund Gere (RLGFI)

SECURITY COMMITTEE Chairman

Members

Supt Froilan Quidilla (GSCPO) Oscar Reyes (SOCOPA Security Agency) Gilbert Hamuyan (SOCOPA Security) Armando C. Pastrana (SOCOPA) 1002nd Brigade, 10ID, PA 705th Naval Reserve Squadron General Santos City Police Office Joint Task Force Gensan PNP Regional Office (PRO) 12 12th PCAS, Aviation Security Group Regional Protection and Escort Unit 12

Shared Resources; Shared Responsibility

119

SOCSKARGEN ADP BOARD

HON. PROCESO J. ALCALA

Secretary, Department of Agriculture Chairman

HON. EMMYLOU TALIÑO-MENDOZA Governor, North Cotabato Province Vice-Chairman

MEMBERS HON. DAISY AVANCE-FUENTES

Governor, Provincial Gov’t of South Cotabato

HON. STEVE CHIONGBIAN SOLON Governor, Sarangani Province

HON. SUHARTO T. MANGUDADATU Governor, Sultan Kudarat Province

HON. RONNEL C. RIVERA Mayor, General Santos City

DIR. ARTURO G. VALERO Regional Director, NEDA XII

DIR. AMALIA J. DATUKAN Regional Director, DA XII

DIR. REYNALDO TAMAYO, SR.

Regional Director, DPWH XII

DIR. IBRAHIM K. GUIAMADEL Regional Director, DTI XII

DIR. DATU TUNGKO SAIKOL

OIC-Regional Director, DENR XII U

DIR. NASSER M. MUSALI Regional Director, DAR XII

DIR. REYNALDO BUNGUBUNG Regional Director, DILG XII

DIR. GEN. WILLIAM HOTCHKISS Director General, CAAP Phils.

MS. EVANGELINE CRISTOBAL Acting Port Manager, PPA-GSC

ATTY. RAUL. JOSEFINO MIGUEL

President, GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industry

MR. MARTINIANO MAGDOLOT

Executive Director , Mahintana Foundation

MAJ. GEN. ARIEL B. BERNARDO 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army

MAJ. GEN. ROMEO GAPUZ Division Commander, 6th ID PA

GINALYN FE C. CACHUELA, CE

Project Manager Project Management Unit

Starting with the South Pacific business in 1987, SK B&T has expanded its business to the Indian and Atlantic Ocean. With a fresh start in Oct 2012, it became an independent subsidiary of SK shipping. Its established experience and expertise in the field of bunkering are a valuable asset that helped empower the company to maintain its number one position in the industry and differentiate itself from its competitors. SK B&T is well-known for its strict compliance of delivery period, precise estimation of supply amount and excellent quality and competitive price of the fuel oil. Today, with SK B&Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong global network, we provide top quality services in all the oceans and offshore areas, operating approximately 20 tankers. SK B&T retains the capacities and capabilities to meet individual customer needs in a quick and flexible manner.

Pacific Bunkering Team 1 e-mail : bunker1@sk.com Homepage : www.skbnt.com.sg

The Congress Secretariat

2/F SAFI 4 Building, Magsaysay Avenue General Santos City, Philippines Tel./Fax : +6383 552 9736 or +6383 301 6543

www.sffaii.org