General Santos City – Forty-six (46) individuals, mostly fishers, comprised the second batch of trainees who completed the Capacity Building Program for Commercial Tuna Handline Fishing Vessels in Sustainable Fisheries Management in General Santos City on July 24 to 28, 2023. This training was organized by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) in collaboration with the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII).

The program covered crucial aspects of responsible fishing practices, aimed at ensuring the conservation, preservation, and sustainable use of marine resources. The training program covered topics on sustainable fisheries certification, particularly on the Marines Stewardship Council certification and the Fisheries Improvement Project, Tuna Biology, fishery laws and regulations, tuna fishing technology, catch documentation, practical navigation, vessel monitoring systems, and post-harvest techniques. The training involved classroom sessions and practical activities on board fishing vessels.

At the conclusion of the training, the captains expressed their gratitude and shared their insights gained from the program. Mr. Montizo U. Ruben conveyed his appreciation to the organizers, emphasizing that the acquired knowledge would significantly impact the improvement of their fishing operations and the quality of their catch. Mr. Rolen A. Lisona proudly acknowledged the remarkable progress they experienced throughout the training, stating that each day’s learning and hands-on experiences added valuable insights they could readily apply to their fishing operations. Moreover, Mr. Efren Pradilla conveyed his thanks and expressed hope for continued support from the bureau and the industry to provide more knowledge and opportunities for their development.

Mr. Napoleon Lamarca of BFAR Central Office expressed his contentment with the success of the second edition of this vital training program. He highlighted the importance of responsible fishing practices and commended the participants for their commitment to promoting sustainable fisheries management.

Activities and Pictorials of the 2nd Edition Capacity Building Training Series
LinksActivities
Click hereDay 1 – Introduction of Participants, Guests and Resource Speakers and
Training on Species Identification
Click hereDay 2 – Responsible fishing operations, proper fish handling onboard, catch
documentation, and practical navigation.
Click hereDay 3 – Proper Catch Documentation and/or Reporting in Tuna
Handling Logsheet
Click hereDay 4 – Practical Navigation Skills, Covering Terrestrial Coordinates,
Latitude, and Longitude, Chart Reading, And Navigational Instrument Usage