The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), in cooperation with the National Stock Assessment Project (NSAP) of the Region 12 office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR 12), has kicked off here the Biological Assessment of the three top export species in Philippine waters – yellowfin tuna, big-eye tuna, and skipjack.
The biological study which will run until August, 2011, aims to determine the length at first capture and spawning seasons of these tuna species.
It includes sexual maturity determination, sex ratios, age and length composition, and length-weight relationship – significant data in stock assessment.
Eunice Bognot, Marine Fisheries Research Division Project Leader of NFRDI, said the one-year study will be conducted in 10 consecutive days every month both in municipal and commercial waters.
“The team will conduct biological samplings, dissect tuna species and measure the fish in order to determine the length, weight and sexual maturity stages,†Bognot said.
BFAR 12 Director Sani D. Macabalang expressed that the one-year biological study is the commitment of BFAR to the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) on the proper regulations, protection, and management of tuna resources.
Earlier, WCPFC has declared a two-year fishing ban, starting this year, on tuna purse seiners to allow the dwindling tuna stocks to regenerate.
According to the Regional Administrative Support and Product Certification Unit (RASPCU) of BFAR 12, Region 12 had exported 34 million kilograms of frozen whole round tuna, pouched and canned tuna products to European Union (EU) markets from January to June, 2010 alone, based on health certificates issued.
