The coordination meeting, led by the FIP Team, brought together representatives from BFAR Regions 11 and 12, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Mati to address operational challenges in the handline fisheries sector.
An overview of SFFAII was presented, including its member organizations and its pivotal role in promoting sustainability and industry compliance. Key agenda items included the SPC Tuna Tagging Program, which underscored the importance of tag recovery and the value of scientific data collection in fisheries management.
The discussion also addressed several concerns raised by handline fishers, such as the high cost of logsheet submission, difficulties in obtaining Certificates of Clearance (CoC), and restrictions on evening unloading hours.
In response, BFAR Region 11 committed to deploying two additional personnel to Mati Fishport to support on-site validation and CoC issuance. Meanwhile, the LGU of Mati agreed to permit night-time unloading from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, provided prior notice is given.
Additional concerns, including the verification of auxiliary permits and vessel documentation, were acknowledged. Both BFAR and the FIP Team expressed plans to conduct training sessions for validation staff and fishers to ensure smooth implementation of these processes.
The meeting concluded with mutual expressions of appreciation and a renewed commitment to advancing the sustainability of the handline fishing industry.
