A Guide to Proper Tuna Handling: Ensuring Quality and Safety

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Paving the road toward sustainability in fisheries Commercial Tuna Handliners recently underwent a training  on Proper handling of Tuna at General Santos City.

 Tuna can be worth a lot of money, but only when handled properly to maintain quality and appearance because how one handle a fish will influence how much its worth and how willing fish dealers are to buy the catch.

To ensure the preservation of high tuna quality,  the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in partnership with the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries (SFFAII) facilitated a training on appropriated tuna handling and preservation technique to forty (40) Commercial Tuna Handliners from General Santos City last July 13-14, 2023.

Training Facilitators, Mr. Val Alexander Lo and Mr. Freddie Maurico Jr. Of BFAR Post-Hartvest Technology Division discussed proper tuna handling and shelf-life and Good handling and Hygiene Practices Onboard Fishing vessel. They demonstrated proper way to handle the catch from when it is hooked, to when it is landed, cleaned, chilled and stored.

Participating Fishermen were reminded that their work in managing the deck and storage spaces of the vessel before fishing, during fishing, and after unloading can influence the quality of the product coming from their vessel and that everything they do on the deck of the boat, from cleaning to the storage of chemicals, bait, and product, has the potential to affect the quality of the catch.

The goal of the training is to help fishermen understand that their responsibility as fishers doesn’t end on catching the tuna and that they play an essential role in protecting consumers and ensure the integrity of the seafood supply chain. By equipping fishers with the necessary knowledge and skills, they can contribute to a responsible and sustainable fishing industry while ensuring that consumers receive fresh, safe, and high-quality tuna.