The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources launched the updated National Tuna Management Plan (NTMP) during the 20th Tuna Congress at SM General Santos Trade Halls in General Santos City on September 6, 2018.

The NTMP is a two year collaborative work of DA-BFAR and the SOCCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing & Allied Industries, Inc (SFFAII) which incorporates agreements made after stakeholders’ consultations and deliberations. The comprehensive program aims to set the direction of Philippine tuna industry development.

“We have identified the issues and challenges surrounding the industry and the entire tuna supply chain. It reflected not only the present threats of the tuna industry but also the abuse of our tuna stakeholders,” DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Eduardo B. Gongona said.

“Solutions were backed by science and research,” he added.

The NTMP sets eyes in the governance and management of tuna fisheries, law enforcement mechanisms, and compliance with food safety and quality standards.

Moreover, the NTMP also highlights the need to improve the socio-economic conditions of fisherfolks which include their access to resources.

For his part, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said that the fisheries laws in the country need to be reviewed to sustainably manage and equitably use the country’s fishing grounds.

He also announced the implementation of the closed fishing season for all fishing grounds in the country from October until the end of November this year to allow the fishes to spawn and reproduce. (Bethzaida N. Bustamante, DA-AFID)

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol leads the launching of the updated National Tuna Management Plan (NTMP) during the  20th Tuna Congress at SM General Santos Trade Halls in General Santos City on September 6, 2018. The NTMP, a product of the consultations and deliberations among stakeholders, aims to set the direction of Philippine tuna industry development. It is a comprehensive program formulated to sustainably manage and equitably use the tuna industry in the country. As part of the plan, Secretary Piñol announced the implementation  of the closed fishing season for all fishing grounds in the country from October until the end of November this year to allow fishes to spawn and reproduce. Also in photo are  (L-R) 20th National Tuna Congress Chairman Joaquin T.  Lu,  DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Eduardo B. Gongona, and General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera. (Photo by Gian Carlo Luague,  DA-AFID)