The FFSAPI-SARGEN Handline Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) conducted a comprehensive two-day final consultation workshop on April 21–22, 2025, in General Santos City. The event brought together commercial and municipal handline vessel owners and fishers, representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Local Government Units, to finalize Human Rights and Social Responsibility (HRSR) policies. Key topics included protections against abuse, harassment, and discrimination, as well as measures to prevent child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. Discussions also focused on establishing a clear grievance mechanism and an age verification process for municipal fishers.
Organized with the support of the National Anti-Poverty Commission and the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc. (SFFAII), the consultation is a crucial part of the FIP’s ongoing efforts to align with global ethical and sustainability standards, especially as it works toward Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. Inputs gathered from the workshop will be integrated into the FIP’s policy framework, reinforcing its commitment to socially responsible and inclusive fisheries management.
