News Details

Sustainable Seas: DA Calls on Tuna Industry to Unite for Shared Progress

NPO

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September 4, 2025

MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged stronger support for fisherfolk while urging the tuna industry to work together, put sustainability at the forefront, and embrace its role as guardians of the country’s marine resources.

Speaking at the 25th National Tuna Congress in General Santos City on Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that while the sector continues to achieve remarkable global gains, it must also champion inclusive growth and environmental stewardship.

“True progress is shared progress. It happens only when all players in the value chain – fishers, canners, exporters, and regulators – move as one,” he stressed, emphasizing that fisherfolk are not merely workers but the front-line defenders of the Philippines’ marine future.

Tiu Laurel underscored the importance of science-based management of tuna stocks, stronger law enforcement, and enhanced traceability systems to safeguard the long-term health of the seas. “The DA stands with you – to feed the world, to honor our fishers, and to defend our seas,” he said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that tuna production surged by 20.56 percent in 2024, reaching 494,047.02 metric tons from 409,797.17 MT in 2023. Exports also jumped by 31 percent, from USD391.81 million in 2023 to USD514.47 million in 2024.

Despite these strong figures, Tiu Laurel cautioned that the industry faces mounting challenges, including climate change, labor issues, illegal fishing, and stricter international sustainability standards.

“For 25 years, this Congress has been the heartbeat of collaboration in the tuna sector. But as we look ahead, the mission is clear: we either act together, or risk drifting apart,” he said.

NPO News Team | PNA-PR