4th Batch Commercial Tuna Handliners Training on Proper Catch Documentation and Reporting in Handline Logsheet

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DA-BFAR Senior Fishing Regulations Officer Peter Cadapan facilitated the workshop on proper Catch Documentation and Reporting in Handline Logsheet and highlighted the importance of proper catch documentation last November 29, 2023. 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.

The said workshop is part of the 4-day capacity building training for the 4th Batch of Commercial Tuna Handliners held at London Beach Resort and Hotel in General Santos City in support to the implementation of the Fishery Improvement Projects (FIP).

Mr. Cadapan 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.

He explained that it is very important for the fishermen to have a daily recording of quantity and value of fishes caught (tuna and other by-catch species), catch position, and their fishing activities on board.   Moreover, he provided specific instructions on filling-in each part of the log sheet as this information are considered crucial to the traceability process and obtains firsthand information on where and how the fish was caught.  

The training aims to equip the Commercial Tuna Handliners with knowledge on how to properly accomplish a log sheet and provide a more accurate and documented data. For this reason, part of the workshop is the practical exercise wherein fishers can demonstrate their learning on how to fill-in log sheets. An onboard situation was given to the fishers and divided them into groups and checked their outputs.

Logsheet data recording can be used to monitor compliance with fisheries regulations. This can help to ensure that fishermen are following the rules and that tuna stocks are being managed sustainably. By practicing this, fishermen not only became accountable and responsible with their catches but also embrace their essential role as the safeguards of our aquatic resources preserving it to the present, and to the next generations.