Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) participated in the 15th PTUNASTAT Annual Catch Estimates Review Workshop along with various Department of Agriculture (DA)-attached agencies and tuna industry partners, held in Cebu City on May 26-27, 2022. 

Spearheaded by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), the participants worked together to come up with recommendations to the West Pacific East Asia Project – Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WPEA-WCPFC) for considerations in improving the tuna estimates of the Philippines.

Moreover, attendees have presented the best estimates for 2021 in the Philippines after careful deliberation during this two-day hybrid workshop (a mixture of virtual and physical attendance).

In addition, they conducted a review process on recommendations from the 14th PTUNASTAT Workshop held last May 2021. The participants also reviewed the 2021 Philippines Annual Tuna Catch Estimates.

Furthermore, they reviewed the WCPFC requirements for annual catch estimates and current issues with the Philippine Annual Catch Estimates as part of the obligation of the Philippines being a member country of the WCPFC.

Among the participants who actively participated in the workshop are Mr. Paris Y. Ayon, Administrative Services Division Chief and Ms. Jovy M. Garrido, Market Operations Division Chief of the PFDA – General Santos Fish Port Complex (PFDA-GSFPC), Ms. Marife Borja OIC, Admin & Finance Services Division of PFDA – Davao Fish Port Complex (PFDA-DFPC), and Mr. Melvin Rabang, Market Operations Division Chief of PFDA – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC)

Representatives from NFRDI, WCPFC, Pacific Community (SPC), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Central and Regional Offices, and other tuna industry partners also participated in the workshop.

(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with report and photos from Mr. Paris Ayon and Ms. Fritzie Leviste of PFDA-GSFPC)