Tuna Congress calls for fisheries reforms

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s major players and stakeholders in the tuna industry called anew on the Philippine government to institute vital reforms to energize the sector during the recently-concluded 14th National Tuna Congress and Trade Exhibit (NTC) held in Gen Santos City.

Organized by the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), the congress passed 10 resolutions which tackled the tuna industry’s perennial issues to continue making it a major contributor to the national economy.

According to tuna congress chairman Joaquin Lu, among the congress’ most important development is the growing support of the government for the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to make the fishery sector competitive globally.

Lu, a leading player in the tuna industry, said both the Senate and the House of Representatives have expressed their support for the creation of the said department.

He said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has expressed support for the said measure noting that major fishing countries have a line government ministry to oversee fisheries related matters.

Senate agriculture committee chairman Francis Pangilinan, who delivered the closing speech, expressed his support to the congressional effort.

He noted that in international ministerial conferences, the Philippines can leverage better if it is represented by a Cabinet position.

Currently, the country is represented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), an agency under the DA, headed by a director.

The tuna congress also requested the Maritime Industry Administration (Marina) and the BAR to fast track the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Handline Fishing Law.

Lu said the IRR has become doubly important now that the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission granted early this year fishing access to Philippine fishing vessels at Pocket 1 of the world’s fishing grounds under a Special Management Arrangement.

Congress delegates also called for the rationalization of the Customs and Tariff Code or the Cabotage Law to reduce freight costs, and improve efficiency of passenger and cargo services.

Conference delegates also supported privatization efforts of the Makar Port and the drawing up of a master plan for the development of the Gen. Santos City Airport which are both vital modes of transportation to the tuna industry.

The studies were conducted by Socsksargen Area Development Project Office to further enhance trade and commerce in the Socsksargen Region.

The participants also strongly reiterated their call to expedite government efforts on mutually beneficial arrangements on international maritime boundaries and the strengthening of security programs in southern Philippine waters.

The congress also called on the deferment of the ratification of the Torremolinos Protocol of the United Nations International Maritime Organization until consensus among stakeholders has been attained.