The Philippine tuna handline fishermen, which rely mainly on pump boats in their operations, was cited as among those that was hit hardest by the high fuel prices.
Diesel fuel and petroleum-based lubricants easily eat up 40 to 60 percent of the cost per trip of a 1,000-ton tuna purse seine fishing vessel.
At an average, a four-day tuna fishing expedition could use up about 10,000 to 15,000 liters of diesel fuel or equivalent to a P465,000 at P31 per liter.
This means that the expenses for a regular fishing trip of a local fishing vessel could reach US$600 to US$700 per metric ton, said Tan.
This was revealed during the visit of Andrew Wright, executive director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, in the city last week.
Wright discussed vital factors affecting the local tuna industry in relation to the regional and global situation.