Behind the growing economy of the SOCSKSARGEN fishing industry, is an organization that continues to lead and uphold its commitment, acting as a catalyst towards a sustainable and responsible fishery.
In service to the fishing community for over two decades, the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) is keeping true to its mission in creating a singular voice for the fishing industry, not just in local, but also in national and international arenas.
Its member-associations cut across the entire value chain, from the capture fisheries sector, composed of handline fishermen; small, medium, and large commercial ring net and purse seine operators; to the fish processing sector and exporters, comprised of big-canning operators; fresh, chilled, and frozen processors; and value-adding processors.
SFFAII paved the way for its members to strengthen industry representation and positioning, maintain the industry’s global competitiveness through embracing technology innovations, and move forward in its pursuit towards a sustainable and responsible fishery for the Philippine Fishing Industry.
The federation has gained seats in the policy and advisory bodies of the Department of Agriculture, such as the National Tuna Industry Council, the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, and the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council. SFFAII has been actively participating in the regional fishery management organizations, namely, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, as part of the Philippine delegation.
In order to further its advocacy for sustainability and global competitiveness, SFFAII has collaborated on research projects with academic institutions and other international non-governmental organizations, including the Pacific Community, USAID Oceans, and Mindanao State University-General Santos.
The federation continues to lead the tuna industry to always be one step ahead of the changes happening globally, nationally, and locally.
SFFAII annually hosts the National Tuna Congress and Trade Exhibit (NTC), convening government, private, and non-profit stakeholders to debate and discuss the challenges and opportunities within the industry, safeguard sustainable tuna fisheries, be educated on global fishing trends, understand market challenges and how they impact other markets, and get the pulse on the latest trends in technology and methodologies.
