It is noticed that the tuna fishing and cannery operations here continue to operate in order to meet high export demand. The soaring fuel prices failed to affect the industry. Richie Rich T. Tan, vice-president for operations of the San Andres Fishing Industries, Inc., said that tuna fishing operators in the Santos city, dubbed the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”, have not suspended operations despite the high cost of fuel.
Fishing companies in Zanboanga City stopped their operations as they could not afford the rising diesel prices. According to Tan fishing operators in Santos city, where six of the country’s eight tuna canneries are located, are smarting from the high fuel prices, with some expecting earnings to dip as much as 50 percent since diesel prices have risen to nearly P60 per liter from P40/liter a year ago.
Miguel B. Lamberte, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority manager here, earlier expressed that the skyrocketing fuel prices have taken its toll on the volume of fish landing at the General Santos City Fish Port Complex. He added that operators resorted to fewer fishing expeditions in the past months due to high fuel prices.
