GenSan tuna industry lauds GMA approval of tuna hand-line law

General Santos City—Tuna industry leaders here are pleased at the passage of a law that will help to ensure the competitiveness of the local hand-line sector in the long-term.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently signed into law Republic Act 9379 or “An Act Defining Hand-line Fishing, Providing Effective Regulations Therefore and for Other Purposes,” which frees the hand-line sector from restrictive government policies and sets more practical manning and registration requirements for hand-line operators and fisherfolk.

Marfenio Tan, president of the Fishing Federation said that the law “would finally address the plight of hand-line fishermen as it sets the right parameters and requirements appropriate for the hand-line sector.”

Bayani Fredeluces, the Federation’s Executive Director, said that he is very pleased because the tuna industry’s efforts in lobbying for the law’s passage have paid off. “We thank our lawmakers and the national government for heeding our call,” he stated.

South Cotabato First District Representative Darlne Antonino-Custodio sponsored the hand-line bill in the Lower House, while Senators Ramon Magsaysay, Manuel Roxas and Senate President Manuel Villar sponsored the counterpart bill in the Senate.

RA 9379 defines commercial hand-line fishing as “a traditional, passive fishing method which utilizes a single line and an attached hook.” A commercial hand-line fishing vessel, on the other hand, is defined as “a commercial fishing vessel that exclusively utilizes the commercial hand-line fishing method.”

Under the new law, a hand-line boat master need not be a licensed boat captain, and will be issued a license by MARINA once he or she undergoes theoretical and practical training. Further, boat engine officers  are not required to have college graduate diplomas or to be licensed as boat engineers if they completed the training required by MARINA.

Moreover, RA 9379 clearly specifiies the roles of Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The registration, inspection, manning and other documentation requirements of hand-line fishing boats as “flag” boats will be done by MARINA, while the licensing and related documentation of these vessels as fishing boats will fall under the mandate of BFAR.

The Fishing Federation’s advocacy efforts were supported by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, which has been helping the local tuna industry enhance product quality and increase its competitiveness in international markets.

Hand-line fishing is an important component of Mindanao’s fishing industry, 80 percent of which is centered in GenSan, the country’s “Tuna Capital.” The sector consists of 2,500 outrigger boats, employs over 40,000 fishermen, and lands over 30,000 MT of high-value tuna each year. The hand-line sector posts annual revenues of around P4.5 billion, with the frozen sashimi processing sector accounting for more than 50 % of this figure or P2.5 billion in total export earnings.

Hand-line fishing uses the traditional hook and a line method and is considered one of the best means of catching large tuna and marlin. The method is also eco-friendly as hand-line fishermen catch only  mature fish.  (GEM Program)