Suistainable fishing. Handline-caught tuna unloaded at the DFPC. The event was attended by Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, PFDA General Manager (2nd from right), Mr. Domingo O. Ang, Davao Marina Tuna Ventures, Inc CEO (1st from right), and Mr. Albert P. Aguinaldo, DFPC Port Manager (3rd from left).

In line with continuous efforts of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority to contribute to more sustainable fishing practices, the PFDA – Davao Fish Port Complex recently welcomed the first tuna unloading using handline fishing technique, July 8, 2020.

Tuna handline fishing is done using smaller and traditional fishing boats. Fishers also use single hooks that catch tuna individually.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), tuna handline fishing creates less impact on the marine environment since it is done through a highly selective method of targeting and catching large and mature tuna which already produced eggs.

Similar to most fish species, egg production depends on age and size of the fish. A 5 year-old female fish can produce an average of five million eggs per year, while those aged 15-20 years old can produce up to 45 million eggs.

Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, PFDA General Manager and Mr. Albert P. Aguinaldo, DFPC Port Manager, attended the unloading activity.

Aside from the PFDA officers, the activity was also joined by Mr. Domingo O. Ang, Davao Marina Tuna Ventures, Inc. Chief Executive Officer, along with the prospect clients like processors, institutional buyers and exporters.

Unloaded tuna weighs an average of 35 kilograms each and classified as processing grade and sashimi grade. (Public Information Division with reports and photos from the PFDA-DFPC)