Philippines yellowfin and bigeye tuna - handline (FFSAPI-Sargen)

Primary tabs

Overview

The FFSAPI-SARGEN HANDLINE FIP is a 5-year multi-stakeholder  project  aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the yellowfin and bigeye tuna handline fisheries in the Philippines Fisheries Management Areas 2 and 3 which is managed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.  The project does not only address environmental aspects of the fisheries but the social aspects as well.  With improvements in the fisheries, the fisheries will attempt to secure eco-label certifications like Marine Stewardship Council to demonstrate the strong commitment to advancing fisheries sustainability. 

The project currently involves 88 handline vessels from 7 municipal operators  (with boats 3 GT and below) and 21 commercial operators (with vessels over 3GT to 72 GT).  These handliners from Sargen Fish Port Tuna Handline Fishing Association Inc. (SARGEN HANDLINE) supply the fish raw material requirements of the members of the Fresh Frozen Seafood Association of the Philippines, Inc. (FFSAPI).

FIP Description 

The FFSAPI-SARGEN HANDLINE FIP is a 5-year multi-stakeholder  project  aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the yellowfin and bigeye tuna handline fisheries in the Philippin

FIP Objective(s) 

  1. To support the formulation and adoption of science-based harvest strategies and control rules for tuna species

    Monitor and actively engage in lobbying efforts with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) to promote the establishment of target reference points and harvest control rules for yellowfin and bigeye tunas by December 2027.

  2. To improve data collection systems for primary, secondary, and associated species in the fishery

    Ensure the ongoing collection of verifiable and traceable catch data for all key species groups (primary, secondary, ETP, and associated species) by December 2027.

  3. To strengthen species-specific and bycatch management practices

    Implement and enhance management strategies, including bycatch reduction and baitfish stock assessment, to support responsible fishing practices by December 2027.

  4. To establish effective monitoring and information systems across all species groups

    Develop and operationalize monitoring mechanisms to support species assessment and adaptive management strategies, running til December 2027.

  5. To ensure the protection of endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) species through targeted management actions

    Apply ETP species management frameworks and integrate protective measures into catch data systems and fishery practices by September 2026.

  6. To enhance the sustainable management and monitoring of fish habitats

    Implement management strategies and improve information systems related to fish habitats and Fish Aggregating Device (FAD) use between by March 2026.

  7. To adopt an ecosystem-based approach in fisheries management

    Utilize FAD management and ecosystem modeling tools to inform decision-making and ecosystem assessments by December 2027.

  8. To institutionalize the National Tuna Management Plan and strengthen governance frameworks

    Support the adoption, implementation, and review of the National Tuna Management Plan while increasing participation in consultative processes until December 2027.

  9. To enhance fisheries compliance and enforcement capacity

    Build enforcement capacities and implement effective monitoring of compliance-related activities by November 2027.

  10. To evaluate the performance of fisheries management systems through regular monitoring

    Monitor and assess the implementation of the Tuna Management Plan and enforcement activities to ensure continuous improvement from July 2023 to September 2027. 

FIP Type 
Comprehensive
FIP Stage 
Stage 2: FIP Launch
Start and Projected End Dates
January 2023
December 2027
Next Progress Report Due 
Friday, October 31, 2025
Next Independent Evaluation 
Sunday, April 30, 2028
Species 
Common Name 
Yellowfin Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus albacares
Buying Guide Link Image 
Yellowfin Tuna
Buying Guide
Common Name 
Bigeye Tuna
Scientific Name
Thunnus obesus
Buying Guide Link Image 
Bigeye Tuna
Buying Guide
Gear Type 
Handline
Location
FAO Major Fishing Area
Area 71 (Pacific, Western Central)
Exclusive Economic Zones
Country 
Philippines (the)
Geographic Scope 
FMA 2 and FMA 3
Country Flag of Vessel 
Philippines (the)
Regional Fisheries Management Organization
WCPFC
Landings
Estimated Total FIP Landings 
143 metric tons
Estimated Total Fishery Landings 
913 metric tons
Landings Date 
December 2023
PrintPDF

FIP at a Glance

View current status
January 01, 2023
46% 29% 25%
Progress Rating (A) Advanced Progress

Reserved for comprehensive FIPs that have achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within the past 12 months.

(B) Good Progress

A basic FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result within 12 months.

(C) Some Recent Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months that has never achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result but has reported a Stage 3 activity within the first 12 months.
(D) Some Past Progress
  • A FIP that has achieved a Stage 4 or 5 result in more than 12 (but less than 24) months BUT has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old AND a Stage 3 activity has been reported within six months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.
(E) Negligible Progress
  • A FIP for which the most recent Stage 4 or 5 result is more than 24 (but less than 36) months old, with no Stage 3 activity reported in the last six months.
  • A FIP younger than 12 months with no Stage 3 activity reported within 12 months.
  • A FIP 12-36 months old that has never reported a Stage 4 or 5 result AND has not reported a Stage 3 activity within the past six months.

The ratings are currently derived by SFP from publicly available data on FIP websites, including FisheryProgress.org, and are determined using the following methodology: View PDF
Not yet available
Actions Complete

This pie chart represents completed environmental actions. Non-completed environmental actions may contain completed sub-tasks that are not illustrated here. For more information on environmental action progress visit the Actions Progress tab.
  • Complete
  • Incomplete
Next Update Due FisheryProgress requires a FIP to provide update reports every six months, and two missed reports will render the FIP inactive. If a report is overdue, this date will appear red.
Oct 2025
Target End Date
Dec 2027

FIP Leads

Organization Name 
Fresh Frozen Seafood Association of the Philippines, Inc.
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Emma Garay
Email 
emmagaray2@aol.com
Phone 
639176332971
Website Name 
FFSAPI-SARGEN HANDLINE FIP for Yellowfin and Bigeye Tuna in FMA 2 and 3
Organization Name 
Sargen Fish Port Tuna Handline Fishing Association Inc.
Organization Type 
Industry
Primary Contact 
Mercedes Ong
Email 
mercedes_monceda@yahoo.com
Phone 
+639177269732
Website Name 
FFSAPI-SARGEN HANDLINE FIP for Yellowfin and Bigeye Tuna in FMA 2 and 3
FIP Identification Number The FIP Identification Number is automatically generated by FisheryProgress when a FIP profile is created. While the number itself is not meaningful, they are used by NGOs, academia, and industry to refer to FIPs in a consistent way.
23783