Project Updates

To strengthen vessel monitoring and traceability in the handline tuna fishery, the FIP supported a two-day hands-on training on VMS installation and troubleshooting on September 29–30, 2026. Sessions were held at the Validation and SARGEN Offices in the General Santos City Fish Port Complex. The training covered the two VMS models currently installed on FIP

As part of the Social FIP’s work on occupational safety and health, 21 participants from the handline sector completed the Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Training for Safety Officer 2. The 40-hour course ran from September 28 to October 2, 2026, at Sun City Suites, General Santos City.   Over five days, OSH practitioners

The SARGEN Handline Fisheries Improvement Project took part in the All About Handline Summit on September 2, 2026, at Robinsons Place Gensan. The summit is a yearly gathering of handline fishers, vessel owners, industry partners, and government agencies. At the summit, Mr. Jun Dagcutan Jr, Vice President of SARGEN Handline presented the audio-visual presentation. The first

The SARGEN Handline Fisheries Improvement Project has received an “A” (Advanced Progress) rating from Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), up from its previous “C” rating. FisheryProgress notified the project of the update on August 14, 2026. SFP evaluates fishery improvement projects through its FIP Evaluation Program, rating them on the progress shown in their environmental reporting.

The FIP joined BFAR’s Central Public Consultation on proposed amendments to FAO 268, Series of 2023, on the Catch Certification and Documentation Scheme, held at Greenleaf Hotel, General Santos City. BFAR XII Regional Director Eugene Casas gave the welcome address. He stressed the need to align Philippine catch certification with EU and international standards to

As part of its work to improve monitoring coverage in the handline tuna fishery, the FIP installed a pilot Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) aboard F/B San Andres-168, a commercial handline vessel enrolled in the project. The EMS works alongside the vessel’s existing VMS by recording video of deck activity, giving the project another source of

Building on its support for Harvest Control Rules at WCPFC22 in Manila in 2025, the FFSAPI–SARGEN Handline Fisheries Improvement Project expressed its continued support for the Philippine delegation to the 22nd Regular Session of the WCPFC Scientific Committee (SC22). The session was held from August 11 to 19, 2026 in Apia, Samoa, in a hybrid

On April 28, 2026, the FIP conducted another round of ALON Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) installation and replacement in Barangay Ladol, Alabel, Sarangani Province. The installation team worked with boat operators and owners to strengthen vessel monitoring, traceability, and safety at sea. One handline vessel received a new ALON tracking unit, which was configured and

On March 30, 2026, an Owner’s Conference was held at the PESCADOR Conference Room, Fish Port Complex, General Santos City, bringing together vessel owners, project partners, and key stakeholders of the SARGEN Handline sector. The meeting focused on transitioning from the adoption of social policies to their full implementation in preparation for future audits. A

From March 24–26, 2026, a three-day re-training orientation on the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Electronic Reporting System (ERS) was successfully conducted in General Santos City, bringing together key stakeholders from the handline fisheries sector. The activity aimed to strengthen compliance with national fisheries regulations, particularly Fisheries Administrative Orders (FAO) Nos. 260, 266, and 198-1,