6th National Convention of Fisherfolks in Baguio City

The 6th National Convention of Fisherfolks was held in the beautiful mountain resort of Baguio city last June 4, 2010.

The convention focuses on discussing the current issues in the industry.  Specifically noted that the lucrative fishing industry still has a bright future in helping perk up the economic growth due to the availability of vast water resources which could be tapped for commercial fish production even at the height of the El Nino phenomenon or prolonged dry spell.

According to Gil Adora, Assistant Director for Technical Services of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), while rivers and lake are drying up due to the serious negative effects of the onslaught of El Nino in the country, the trend that must be adopted by the fisherfolks is to develop fish production areas in the vast track of salt waters in different parts of the country in order to sustain fish self-sufficiency in the coming years.

Moreover, Adora asserted that despite natural calamities, the country's fishing industry still has bright future and it should be tapped and supported by concerned agencies so that it will also make a difference in the country's economic growth. Official figure shows that the Philippines is the eighth top fish producer in the world with its coastline length of about 36,289 kilometers.

For more information, contact Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources at (632) 929-9597, 929-8074, email info@bfar.da.gov.ph or visit http://www.bfar.da.gov.ph.

11th National Tuna Congress

The 11th National Tuna Congress held at Lagao, General Santos (GenSan) City last August 27-29, 2009 was entitled “Changing Mindsets toward Sustainable Fisheries.” The congress opened the week-long 11th GenSan Tuna Festival commemorating the city’s 41st Charterhood Anniversary. GenSan is known as the major exporter of the fish in the Philippines and contributes as much as sixty percent to the city's economy.

Over four hundred domestic and international delegates from various sectors attended the congress. Around 20 keynote speeches, messages and presentations were addressed. Among the invited speakers were Vice-President Noli de Castro, Senator Loren Legarda and Senator Mar Roxas.

Amid a shrinking global demand for tuna products because of the global economic crisis, the event focused on measures to ensure the appropriate management of tuna resources, including expanding industry cooperation towards responsible fisheries, and new regulations governing illegal and unregulated fishing.

The Congress adopted eight resolutions, including the Philippine tuna industry’s strong commitment towards a more responsive and conscientious tuna resource management; and requests to their government on establishing the country’s maritime boundaries and regular patrol, promoting cooperation with FFA and PNA, research on FAD closure, and creating relevant legislature for responsible and sustainable fisheries in Philippines.

Sessions on current management regimes & market trends, on investment opportunities along with the initiatives on tuna resource management, the industry’s socio-economic impact and accountability, fisheries and economic cooperation with various other industry players in the Pacific and in the BIMP-EAGA, updates on maritime boundary issues, safety and protection of property and life at sea, as well as the effects of the global financial crisis to the Philippine tuna industry were conducted.

A major highlight was the Trade Exhibit at the same venue showcasing various modern technology, and services, as well as fishery products and supplies for fishing and its allied industries, from more than 60 merchants and dealers.

The 11th National Tuna Congress was organized by Socsksargen Federation of Fishing & Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), a private-sector federation based in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City. The members of the federation include purse seine and hand line fishing groups, canners, processors, traders and aquaculture producers who continue to advocate sustainability measures such as using nets with a larger mesh size to avoid depleting juvenile populations of tuna.

Working closely with Philippine government agencies, SFFAII played a role in the creation of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, a treaty-based organization aimed at conserving and managing tuna and other highly migratory fish stocks.

The 11th National Tuna Congress was co-presented by the City Government of General Santos, 1st Congressional District of South Cotabato, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, SOCSKSARGEN Area Development Project Office, Department of Trade & Industry, and USAID's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.

For more information, the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing & Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) may be reached at telefax (6383) 552 9736, (6383) 301 6543, or you may visit their website at http://www.philtuna.org.

Government Staged First Siganid Summit for Fisherfolks

Various government councils involved in aquaculture and marine life development and research staged for the fisherfolks of Pangasinan the First National Summit on Hatchery and Culture of Siganid (Rabbitfish). The event was held last March 10 –12, 2009 at the Asian Fisheries Academy, in Binloc, Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

The summit was jointly organized by the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center and National Fisheries and Development Institute (NFRDI) of the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) of the Department of Science and Technology.

The summit aims to gather information on the present practices and available technologies on siganids (Siganus spp.), identify gaps in the development of rabbitfish hatchery and culture industry, identify strategies for the formulation of a five-year road map for the industry, and prepare a resolution for the promotion of rabbitfish as high-value cultivable species.

Topics discussed during the event include:

• Taxonomy and Geographical Distribution of Siganids in the Philippines
• First Feeding in Wild Siganid Larvae Inferred from Otolith Microstructure
• Alge and Reproductive Potential of Domesticated Siganus guttatus Breeders
• Status of the Siganids Fry Production in Northern Mindanao
• Feed Quality and Nutrition Standards
• Nutritional Study on Siganids
• Feeds and feeding trials of siganids for culture
• Culture techniques for Siganids
• Cage Culture of Siganid
• Developments on Hatchery and Culture of Siganids
• Status & Prospects of Siganid Hatchery and Culture in the Philippines
• Broodstock Development & Hatchery Techniques
• Seagrass Ecosystems in Relation to Siganids
• Population Dynamics of Siganids
• Diseases & Emergency Preparedness
• Diseases of Siganids
• Best Aquaculture Practices Postharvest, Market & Trade, & Promotion
• Philippine National Standard for Dried Danggit
• Siganid Processing in Bantayan Island, Cebu
• Padas Processing in Pangasinan
• Improved Processing of Lamayo from Siganids in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

The First National Summit on Hatchery and Culture of Siganid is sponsored by Tateh Aquafeeds.

Phil. Gov’t. Holds Coral Triangle Summit

The Philippine Government and WWF organized a summit that gathered business and policy leaders last January 19-20, 2010 to discuss the protection of the Coral Triangle. The Coral Triangle is known to be the world’s most diverse marine environment covering 30% of the world’s coral reefs. 76% of its reef building coral species as well as vital spawning also grounds for tuna. On the said event, business opportunities were outlined for key sectors operating in the region in Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.

Since the Coral Triangle is under threat from over exploitation, environmental degradation, poverty and global economic recession, the summit provided a platform for financial support and investment for businesses willing to commit to sustainability and green growth. Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources undersecretary Manuel Gerochi shared that by inviting sectors that rely on healthy marine environment in the Coral Triangle as well as the tourism, communications, and investment sectors, the event will contribute to the pursuit of sustainable business development and investment. Also, the summit placed special emphasis on the growing demand for ‘green’ products globally, which can drive sustainability in supply chains within the Coral Triangle.

For other inquiries, contact the CTI secretariat at +632.893.5642 or visit their website at www.ctibusinesssummit.net.