Philippines government and industry experts urged the stakeholders of tuna industry to explore ways to diversify amid tough challenges facing the country’s tuna fishing group. At the 13th National Tuna Congress resources speakers hinged on industry diversification and review of harvest practices to contain the impacts of overfishing and other industry-related threats to marine biomass.
The main aim behind such move is to cushion the effects of dwindling catch which was also compounded by stiff international restrictions on fish catch and other fishing regulations imposed on the fishing grounds of host countries. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told that there is a need to start the conservation and preservation of biodiversity to uphold sustainability of the fisheries sector.
Alcala suggested that diversification would help industry players to pursue high value aquaculture and mariculture as alternative to capture fisheries. One of the projects cited was the planting of mangroves along ideal coastal areas to provide fisher-folk an option to augment daily expenses and counter the impact of declining fish catch. Alcala also encouraged stakeholders to not only focus on tuna production but diversify investments and consider joint ventures in agricultural farming, indicating milkfish production as one among the options ideal in the coastal areas.
The government also suggested other forms of support like moves to intensify research and development in the fisheries sector, including a budget of P45 million to upgrade laboratory facilities. Meanwhile, tuna players have agreed to cooperate in adhering to conservation and regulation measures in order to keep the tuna industry afloat amidst challenges.
