FFSAPI-SARGEN HANDLINE
FIP UPDATES
March 30, 2026
FFSAPI–SARGEN Handline FIP Owner’s Conference
An Owner’s Conference was held at the PESCADOR Conference Room, Fish Port Complex, General Santos City.
March 24 - 26, 2026
BFAR VMS and ERS Re-Training Orientation
A three-day re-training orientation on VMS and ERS was successfully conducted in General Santos City, bringing together key stakeholders from the handline fisheries sector.
March 13, 2026
ALON VMS Installation and Training Conducted for FIP Vessels
Another batch of ALON VMS installations and training was successfully conducted for handline fishing vessels under the FIP on March 13, 2026.
March 12, 2026
Building Responsible Fisheries: Social Policies Signing, Studies Updates, and Other Commitments
Stakeholders of the tuna handline sector gathered on March 12, 2026 at Venue 88, General Santos City for the activity titled “Building Responsible Fisheries through Social Policies Signing and Launch, Compliance Updates, and Industry Commitments.”
February 18, 2026
FFSAPI–SARGEN Handline FIP Achieves “C” Rating
The FIP Evaluators assigned the project a “C” progress rating, reflecting tangible improvements and strengthened commitments toward sustainable handline fisheries management.
January 22, 2026
Strengthening Traceability and Coordination to Combat IUU Fishing
Key stakeholders gathered at the SARGEN Office, General Santos City Fish Port Complex, for a coordination meeting aimed at strengthening traceability systems and addressing Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in Sarangani Province and Sultan Kudarat.
January 13, 2026
FFSAPI–SARGEN Handline FIP Convenes Stakeholders for Project Updates and Recognition
The Project successfully gathered key stakeholders on January 13, 2025, at Venue 88, General Santos City, for a project update and discussion of upcoming activities. The event brought together officers of the SARGEN Handline Association, participating company representatives, vessel owners, fishers, captains, and project partners demonstrating strong collaboration and shared commitment to improving the handline tuna fishery.
November 2025
FFSAPI–SARGEN Handline FIP Voices Strong Support for the Adoption of Harvest Control Rules at WCPFC22
The FFSAPI–SARGEN Handline Fisheries Improvement Project has expressed strong support for the adoption of Harvest Control Rules and Target Reference Points for yellowfin and bigeye tuna at the upcoming WCPFC22 meeting in Manila.
November 7, 2025
Additional ALON Vessel Tracking Units Installed
As part of the ongoing effort to strengthen monitoring, control, and traceability in the local handline tuna fishery, the FIP oversaw the installation of 7 additional ALON vessel tracking units on November 7, 2025.
November 6, 2025
Batch 2 of 2025 Training on Logsheet Reporting, Species Identification, and ETP Policy Consultation
The FIP successfully conducted Batch 2 of its training for handline fishers on accurate logsheet reporting, species identification, and the initial consultation on the Endangered, Threatened, and Protected (ETP) Species Policy.
The session was held on November 6, 2025, at Sun City Suites, General Santos City.
November 5, 2025
Final Consultation Workshop on Key Social and Safety Policies
The SARGEN Tuna Handline Fisheries Improvement Project successfully conducted the Final Consultation Workshop on November 5, 2025, at Venue 88, General Santos City.
October 24, 2025
FIP Conducts Training on Logsheet Reporting, Species Identification, and Consultation on ETP Policy
The FIP successfully conducted a training for handline fishers on accurate logsheet reporting, species identification, and initial consultation on the ETP Species Policy.
October 13-14, 2025
ALON Tracking Units Installed on More Handline Vessels to Strengthen Monitoring and Transparency
To strengthen monitoring, control, and traceability within the local handline tuna fishery, a total of 18 handline vessels were recently installed with ALON vessel tracking units. The devices were donated by the City Government of General Santos, reaffirming its continuing support for sustainable and transparent fishing practices.
September 2 & 4, 2025
FIP Progress Presented at the 25th NTC
Ms. Mercedes Ong, President of the SARGEN Handline presented the latest developments of the FFSAPI-SARGEN Handline Fisheries Improvement Project in two key events of the tuna industry: the All About Handline Summit on September 2 and the Plenary Session of the 25th National Tuna Congress on September 4.