Mr. Sammy Garcia, Vice President of the Fresh Frozen Seafood Association of the Philippines, Inc. (FFSAPI), delivered the FFSAPI-SARGEN HANDLINE Fisheries Improvement Project updates during the 24th NTC All About Handline Summit on September 3, 2024, held at Robinsons Gensan, General Santos City, Philippines. The summit served as a platform for discussing key industry issues, sharing best practices, and exploring innovative solutions to advance the fishing sector. Nearly 400 participants, including fishers and operators engaged in the Fisheries Improvement Project, actively participated in the summit.
In his presentation, Mr. Garcia outlined the progress of the ongoing five-year Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP) in General Santos City, which is pivotal in promoting sustainable and responsible fishing practices within the region. During his speech, an audiovisual presentation (AVP) highlighted the project’s second-year updates, spearheaded by FFSAPI and the Sargen Fish Port Tuna Handline Fishing Association Inc. The FIP aims to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for yellowfin and bigeye tuna in Fisheries Management Areas 2 and 3 in the Philippines.
Currently, the project encompasses 88 fishing vessels from 18 commercial and seven municipal operators, all of whom have undergone capacity-building training to enhance the skills and knowledge of handline fishers in sustainable fishing methods.
The AVP showcased updates on installed Vessel Monitoring Systems on handline vessels enrolled in the FIP. It also featured the “May Pera sa Catch Data” incentive scheme, initiated in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), which provides financial rewards to those who submit data through their Handline Logsheet Reports. Furthermore, the video touched upon the study on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), which involved deploying fisheries observers to gather critical data aboard fishing boats.
On the social front, the Tambuyog Development Center was commissioned to conduct a social audit of the fishery. Updates on the conduct of the Social Responsibility Assessment workshop and a Training Needs Analysis for the fishing industry were also presented.
Mr. Garcia emphasized that the project has made significant strides in improving the fishery sector over the past two years and expressed confidence in its continued progress. He concluded his presentation by extending heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders and supporters of the Fisheries Improvement Project.
