Source: Philippine Information Agency
The SOCSARGEN Federation of Fishing Associations and Allied Industries is filing an appeal for reconsideration with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) to lift the fishing ban it imposed on certain areas of the fishing grounds of fishing starting January 1, 2010.
Bayani Fredeluces, executive director of the federation said, they had a dialogue with the commission in Tahiti last year but the decision for the prohibition had already been finalized.
In August this year, studies will be presented to the science committee in Tonga and will consequently be elevated to the commission's the technical committee in Micronesia for further discussion. The final discussion, he said, will be conducted by the commission also in Micronesia in December.
Fredeluces explained, the Philippines is only one of the countries that have been affected by the decision to ban fishing in international waters of the Pacific.
"It is not only the Philippines that is affected by the ban but also 30 other countries including Japan, Spain, France among others, Fredeluces said.
The areas where the ban is imposed cover pockets one and two of the West and Central Pacific Ocean, Fredeluces continued.
The sanction is in line with the Conservation and Management Measure for Bigeye and Yellow Fin Tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean which was approved during the Fifth Regular Session of the WCPFC d in Busan, Republic of Korea on December 8-12, 2008.
The scientific committee reported the high probability that the bigeye stock is subject of overfishing and that yellowfin stocks are currently being fished at capacity. The committee stated that reductions in fishing mortality are required to reduce the risks that these stocks will become depleted.
Fredeluces said the federation will advocate a thorough study of separate reclassification of fishing since bigger fish like skipjack thrives in the deep part of the ocean while small ones such as the round scad are found in the shallow portion. This will allow fishermen who use finer nets below 3.5 inches to fish in shallow waters. For now, fishing for both is classified as purse seine using nets from 3.5 to 4.0 inches.
The executive director of the federation disclosed that the Fisheries Administrative Order being implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has granted a three-year period (2007-2010) for fishermen to comply to the minimum 3.5 inches net.