21st National Tuna Congress & Trade Exhibit

Tuna industry players are pushing for the adoption of more technologies to further improve their operations and help promote the proper conservation and management of tuna and other critical marine resources.

Joaquin Lu, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), said Tuesday the move will be the main focus of the 21st National Tuna Congress, which is slated Sept. 4 to 6 at the SM Mall Trade Halls here.

He said around 700 domestic and foreign tuna industry stakeholders, officials and representatives of various government agencies, as well as non-government groups, are expected to join the congress.

This year’s theme is “The Tuna Industry: Embracing Technologies and Sustainable Strategies.”

Lu said the theme is anchored on the concept of promoting sustainability that is supported by technologies.

He acknowledged that sustainability of tuna resources, which is a major concern for the industry, can only be achieved if conservation and management measures are dutifully observed.

International and regional agreements calling for the preservation of species and recovery plans should also be harmonized, Lu said..

“Sustainability means no overfishing. It means that we should promote an environment that for tuna and tuna-like species to spawn and propagate for another season of catch. The intention is not to deplete our resources,” he said in a press conference.

Lu said the tuna industry aims to continuously upgrade its systems and processes “to achieve full efficiency while being ocean-friendly.”

Organizers said the three-day event will tackle electronic monitoring, surveillance and control system; catch documentation and traceability technology solutions; emerging technologies for processors; and commodity, market and stock assessment.

Dubbed the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” the city hosts six of the country’s eight tuna canneries.

The industry, which generated export receipts of around PHP22 billion in 2018, directly employs some 27,290 people and provides livelihoods to 109,160 others through various secondary activities.