GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines (PIA) – In terms of volume, the tuna industry has potential to grow.

For as long as there is a growing demand for tuna in the world, there will be potential for growth.

This was the statement of the South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (SocSKSarGen) Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) executive director Rossana Contreras who disclosed that
in 2010, the total volume of tuna production was 387,101 metric tons.

Contreras said that out of this, 271, 625 metric tons – or 70 percent – were produced by commercial fisheries, while 115,476 metric tons – or 30 percent – by marine municipal fisheries.

Contreras said there are seven canneries in the Philippines – six in General Santos City, and one in Zamboanga City.

She also said that there are 12 fresh frozen processors and exporters in this city, constituting 80 percent of the country’s processors, and supporting about 3,000 jobs.

Most of its production is exported to United States and European countries, she added.

The SFFAII executive director also disclosed that there are 1,500 purse seine catchers, carriers, and other support vessels who are primarily fishing in fish aggregating devices (FADS).

She said there are also 1,000 pump boats involved in tuna production.

In addition, she said there are workers in the ancillary industries – fish cars, ice plants, cold storage facilities, and food business, among others.

She said that the SFFAII has been exhausting venues to open dialogues or discussions with the Indonesian government for the renewal of the agreement on fishing access starting in September with the Governor of the North
Sulawesi, and in January, next year, with the Minister of Fisheries through Manado’s Chamber of Commerce.

Another discussion that is being framed by a technical group is with Palau, which can be a start for the Philippines to get fishing access to other Pacific island countries, Contreras noted.