Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) attended the 17th PTUNASTAT Annual Catch Estimates Review Workshop, held on May 23 to 24, 2024, in Tagaytay City, Cavite, to improve the accuracy and reliability of annual tuna catch estimates in the Philippines.

The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) organized the annual activity in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).

In a show of productive collaboration, key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry representatives, and relevant organizations, explored ways to improve data collection and management practices.

During this seminar, delegates from respective national agencies and private partners shared their data on tuna unloading, which was classified by their fishing ground, fishing gear, and species (skipjack, yellowfin, and big-eye tuna). 

Afterward, representatives from the participating agencies presented their existing data on annual tuna catches, which was validated and submitted to the WCPFC. This review determined whether the Philippines complies with the fishing quotas and whether the tuna stocks are healthy.

Officials from PFDA – Davao Fish Port Complex (PFDA-DFPC), PFDA – General Santos Fish Port Complex (PFDA-GSFPC), PFDA – Lucena Fish Port Complex (PFDA-LFPC), and PFDA – Navotas Fish Port Complex (PFDA-NFPC) joined the participants from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP), SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Fishing, and West Pacific East Asia (WPEA) Project in the two-day workshop. 

(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with reports and photos from Mr. Kenneth Quindao – PFDA-DFPC and NFRDI Facebook Page)