About 200 tuna handliners have asked Philippine government authorities to immediately delineate the area where the 6,000 square kilometers exclusive zone for tuna handliners will be located. They said the area should be off limits to purse seiners, and fish aggregating devices (payaw or FAD’s) should be banned.
The handline tuna fishermen and boat operators last week in General Santos, Philippines, appealed for more support from the local and national government in order to improve and maximize their tuna fishing operation. These fisherman target mostly large yellowfin, which are either exported as fresh to the Japanese market, or are processed as steaks or loins for mostly the U.S. market.
In a general assembly held in General Santos City, the tuna handliners also requested the local government and different government agencies to simplify procedures in the registration of tuna handline fishing boats. Participants in the assembly said the requirements set by law are too cumbersome for ordinary fishermen and boat operators to comply with.
They also want a reduction of the fees that are currently imposed by the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), in order to survive. At present, the cost of registering a fishing boat with Marina varies according to capacity. From a low of P1,190 (USD 22) the registration cost could go as high as P3,000 (USD 55). The registration however is good for three years.
The Philippine Coast Guard on the other hand is also charging fees for hull and section inspections including the vessels machinery and electrical systems. Boat operators will also have to pay over USD 90 registration and other fees from BFAR.
Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr., who attended the assembly, urged fishermen and boat operators to put their demands in paper so that the government could look into it.
Among those who attended the assembly was Roger Lim, president Socsksargen Tuna Handline Eco-Fishing cooperative (Sotuhefisco) and Jake Lu, owner of MGTR. Lim and Lu operate more than 400 tuna handline fishing boats between themselves alone.
Industry sources said there are over 4,000 tuna handline fishing boats in Socsargen alone but only around 900 of them are registered.