Philippines wants to move in on Indonesian tuna stocks

Jacana tuna fish landing. Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. © Jürgen Freund / WWF-Canon

January 2012. In a recent issue of the Philippine Information Agency, Ms. Rossana Contreras, executive director of the Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII) of the Philippines, stated that they have been pursuing talks with neighbouring countries, particularly Indonesia and Palau, to get fishing access to serve the increasing demand for tuna in the world and harness this industry's potential for growth.

Lopsided fishing agreements
While there is nothing wrong with trying and getting access to fish, the way of doing things have changed. For one, fish producing nations within the Coral Triangle such as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG), together with many of the Pacific Islands have finally come to realize that most fishing access agreements have always been a one-sided deal. Many ‘joint ventures' have been made under dubious arrangements to the detriment of these tuna producing nations. In addition, in exchange for the privilege to fish, fish producing nations need to also realize that part of fishing deals must include the sustainable management of these resources.

Philippines exhausted its own resources
But getting fishing access to other nations raises a huge question as to why the Philippines, with its large maritime waters, needs to do this. Its fishing ground of about 2.2 million square kilometres is huge. Whereas two decades ago this area was the source of raw material for its tuna canneries, today the nation imports two thirds of its current cannery needs. The lesson is clear. While the country opted to support tuna to develop over the years, it failed to manage its national waters for its own industry, leading to the local extirpation of its resources.

Indonesia
The way of dealing with tuna fishery is changing. Indonesia did the right thing by closing its borders to allow the local industry to flourish and to vigorously stop illegal fishing by neighbouring countries. PNG and the Solomon Islands have made the earlier decision to ensure that fishing access agreements are transparent and equitable, an arrangement that bides time for its local industry as well to flourish.

But learning from the Philippines, this will not be enough. The biggest threat for Indonesia, PNG and the Solomon Islands is from within. The nation must manage its own resources effectively by capping its fishing effort to a level that provides a sustainable future. There is no other way.

For the Philippines, the solution for the survival of its tuna industry in order to regain its past glory and to flourish again is not to look beyond its borders, but within.

Dr. Jose Ingles
Tuna Strategy Leader
WWF Coral Triangle Program
jingles (@) wwf.org.ph