WCPFC headquarters in Micronesia. (Photo: WCPFC)

Fishing federation appeals for ban reconsideration

PHILIPPINES
Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 18:30 (GMT + 9)

The Socsargen Federation of Fishing Associations and Allied Industries is filing an appeal with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) for reconsideration to lift the tuna fishing ban it imposed on certain areas on 1 January 2010.

About 1,600 workers will become unemployed in the next few weeks due to the ban, according to the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE), MindaNews reports.

Federation Executive Director Bayani Fredeluces said they had a dialogue with WCPFC in Tahiti last year, but the decision had already been made.

In August, studies will be presented to the science committee in Tonga and later the technical committee in Micronesia for further consideration. Fredeluces said the final discussion will be conducted by the commission in Micronesia in December 2010.

The Philippines is just one of the countries affected by the international ban, he said.

"It is not only the Philippines that is affected by the ban but also 30 other countries including Japan, Spain [and] France among others,” Fredeluces stated.

The sanction covers pockets one and two of the West and Central Pacific Ocean, he said.

The move is meant to allow bigeye and yellowfin tuna stocks to recover from overfishing and corresponds with the Conservation and Management Measure for bigeye and yellowfin tuna in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean approved during the Fifth Regular Session of the WCPFC in the Republic of Korea on 8-12 December 2008.

WCPFC’s scientific committee reported the high probability that the bigeye stock is being overfished and that yellowfin stocks are now being fished at capacity. The committee stated that cuts in fishing mortality are needed to lower the risks of stock depletion.

Fredeluces said the federation will support a comprehensive study of separate reclassification of fishing since bigger fish like skipjack thrive in deep waters as opposed to small ones such as round scad - this would allow fishers who use finer nets below 3.5 in to fish in shallow waters. Fishing for both is now classified as purse seine with nets measuring 3.5-4.0 in.

The Fisheries Administrative Order imposed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has given fishers a three-year period (2007-10) to comply with the minimum 3.5 in-net, he added.

“We asked the affected companies to submit a copy of the consolidated profile of their workers that would be laid off so we can assess the appropriate assistance for them,” said Ma Gloria Tango, DOLE Region 12 director.

The consolidated profile will include information such as the age, educational attainment, job experience and skills of the affected workers.

“[With this] information, we will be able to determine if they will need additional skills trainings or if their existing skills may match them with the needs of some companies in the area,” she explained.

Related article:

- Tuna companies prepare for fishing bans

By Natalia Real
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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