20th National Tuna Congress Broke Records!

Ms. Rosana Contreras, Executive Director of Socsksargen Fishing and Allied Industries Incorporated (SFFAII), Friday, said that the 20^th National Tuna Congress in General Santos City is generally successful and broke congress records.

Held on September 5-7, 2018 at the Trade Halls of SM City General Santos with the theme, “20 Years and Beyond; Continuing Remarkable Convergence.”

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In an interview, Contreras said that 2 days before the event, they are expecting around 700 domestic and foreign industry players for this has been the number for the previous congresses. Due to the security threats caused by bombings in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, some foreign delegates withdrew their attendance because of fear to be a victim and travel bans released by their state, the organizers struggled to reach the number this year. So, they came out to an idea, to reach the potential players of the industry. This caused the breaking to more than 800 from 700 delegates expected.

This year, more delegates are local compared to the previous congresses. Aside from companies, private groups, and government agencies, students from colleges offering fisheries and tourism joined the 2-day congress proper.

The congress started on Wednesday with the traditional caravan, Eucharistic Mass, and the opening of the Trade Exhibit graced by Marine Industry Authority (MarInA) Administrator Leonardo Rey Guerrero. The exhibit hosted 185 for the expected 176 from 82 companies which is another record.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Pinol spoke before the delegates as keynote speaker on the first day of the congress proper.

14 plenary discussions was lined up including salient features of the Phillipine Safety Rules and Regulations; updates on the development of the Philippine Economic Catch Documentation and Traceability System; updates on the certification and sustainability efforts; and, the presentation of new technologies for small-scale fisheries on monitoring vessels including catch and location.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture graced the congress on the second day expressed her support to the Tuna Industry and congratulated the industry players with their success.

During the congress, SFFAII has launched their first-ever coffee table book entitled “Tuna: At the Hearth of General Santos”; a summit for tuna handline fishing sector; and a job fair with the various fishing companies and allied industries.

The congress ended with the updates on the 19^th Tuna Congress Resolutions and the presentation of the 11 resolutions concerning the industry to the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).

The traditional farewell dinner was served at the roof deck of the parking building of SM City GenSan where the best booth, and the groups and personalities behind the success of SFFAII and Tuna Congress were recognized.

SFAII and the congress organizers expressed their thanks to all who became and has been their partners, the security, the industry players, Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), other government agencies, and the local government of General Santos City for supporting.