Pasuquin fisher folk steps up world-class tuna conservation

Participants undergo first-hand training on tuna quality improvement in Davila, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. (Lei Adriano)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte—In a small coastal village here, at least 33 fisher folk are a step forward to ensuring quality improvement of their catch.

Fifty seven year-old Domingo La Torre, a fisherman and trader in this town said at least 75 percent of their average daily catch may not meet the standard quality due to improper handling.

But this time after the training, he said they are more than ready to turn around the result while aiming for a quality grade tuna to qualify for the export market.

“The potential for export quality tuna in Pasuquin town is huge,” said Arthur Valente, provincial fishery regulation officer of the provincial agriculture office.

For the past few years, tuna catch in this northern coastal municipality has been increasing. Perhaps, it may have been due to enhance coastal resources management, establishing fish sanctuaries in strategic areas in the entire province.

Last year, fishermen with small boats using hand-line fishing only were able to catch at least 2,520 metric tons or 2,520, 000 kilograms of yellow fin tuna worth approximately US$11,088,000.

“Sa paghuli ng tuna, kami ay natuto para mapanatili ang magandang uri ng tuna. Mula sa laot, pagkatapos naming makahuli, agad-agad ay itinatakbo namin yan sa market ng walang yelo. At ngayon dahil sa seminar, kami ay marunong na kung paano linisin at panatilihing presko ang huli bago pa ito makarating sa market,” said La Torre.

He urged fellow fishermen and traders to apply what they have learned during the training to have value added to their catch and to ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry.

“Kami rin ang mawawalan kapag hindi kami natuto sa tamang handling. Sa dami naming halos 173 mangingisda, kailangan talaga na pangalagaan ang aming kabuhayan,” he added.

With prices pegged from P130 to P160 per kilo of high grade tuna, a fisherman can have an average daily catch of 30 to 50 kilos except during typhoon or when the weather is rough.

In an effort to enhance the capacity of small fishermen, Jose Angelito Palma, vice president for the conservation program of the WWF-Philippines said fishermen can gain more income and have a better access to the market with proper handling while ensuring food safety and proper hygiene to avoid bacteria contamination.

Small fishermen who are employing hand-line fishing are encouraged to only catch tuna with at least 30 kilos and up.

To sustain capacity building of small fishermen, Century Tuna has pledged to donate at least P1 peso for every can sold of premium tuna caught through hand-line fishing. One of the beneficiaries include the fishermen association of Pasuquin town.