The SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), facilitated a training on Proper Catch Documentation, Estimation, and Reporting in Handline Log Sheet last July 25, 2023 as part of the 4-day capacity building workshop for Commercial Tuna Handliners held at London Beach Resort and Hotel in General Santos City. The said training is in support to the implementation of the Fishery Improvement Projects (FIP).
DA-BFAR Senior Fishing Regulations Officer Peter Cadapan facilitated the session and highlighted the impacts of proper catch documentation. He said that Fishing logbooks contribute to the sustainable management of fisheries. By documenting catch data and species information, the government and scientists can monitor fish populations, track changes over time, and assess the health of fish stocks.
Mr. Cadapan explained that it is very important for the fishermen to have a daily recording of the quantity and value of fishes caught (tuna and other by-catch species), catch position, and their fishing activities on board. Mr. Cadapan also presented 4 essential parts of the log sheet such as fishing vessel information, port origin, date and time of departure and arrival; Daily Time Record and Catch Position during fishing operations, and number of payao and pakura deployed; use of species identification and fishing activity codes; and estimation table of length and weight of tuna. Moreover, he provided specific instructions on filling-in each part of the log sheet as this information is considered crucial to the traceability process and obtains firsthand information on where and how the fish was caught.
