Monday, May 14, 2007 Tuna industry seeks extension of fishing pact with Indonesia
TUNA industry leaders want the government to work for the renegotiation of a bilateral fishing agreement that expired last year, since tuna haul in Indonesian waters significantly contributes to production volume in canneries here.
Bayani Fredeluces, executive director of the Socskargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), said industry players have been mapping out strategies on how to approach the matter in anticipation of a possible crisis in future supply.
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One of these strategies is the re-chartering of Philippine vessels, which can be done only if Filipino businessmen would put up investments in Indonesia to allow them access to the rich fishing grounds of that country, he said in an interview.
The clamor of tuna industry leaders to renegotiate the bilateral fishing agreement came even as National Government officials under the Department of Agriculture met with their Indonesian counterparts for discussions on fishing practices.
The ministerial meeting on promoting responsible fishing practices was called early this month by Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs Freddy Numberi.
Fredeluces said they expect the Philippine delegation to bring up the renegotiation of the bilateral fishing pact with Indonesian officials.
"At the moment, however, we have no feedback if indeed our government officials sought for a renegotiation. As much as possible, we hope there would be a renegotiation," he said.
The five year bilateral fishing agreement between the country and Indonesia ended in December 2005 but was extended for until the end of 2006.
Under the bilateral fishing agreement, Philippine tuna fleets are allowed to "catch tuna and tuna-like species within the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone."
It provided licenses to the Philippines for 75 catcher vessels, 150 fish carriers, 20 long liners, 300 light boats, and 10 single purse seiners, and allowed access to the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas of the Indonesian EEZ. It also provides offloading and re-supply access to 10 Indonesian ports.
Following the meeting between Philippine and Indonesian officials, a press statement was issued that the Philippine delegation expressed keen interest to renegotiate the bilateral fishing access in the Indonesian EZZ and cooperation in other areas such as aquaculture, research and training.
Numberi said he is willing to discuss a formula with the Philippines as to the arrangement on total allowable catch in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone.
In lieu of the bilateral fishing agreement, Marfenio Tan, SFFAII president, has said over a year ago that the Indonesian government wanted to implement a quota system.
Seventy percent of the fish catch shall be retained in Indonesia and only 30 percent will be allowed for Philippine fishing operators to take home, he explained of the scheme.
Industry players earlier projected the local tuna industry would hurt by as much as 25 percent without the access to rich fishing ground of Indonesia. This city accounts for the bulk of the tuna industry, which has an estimated value of $420 million.
Fredeluces noted that Indonesia has announced that it will not longer be issuing licenses to foreign-flagged vessels whose principals have no investments in that country.
The Philippines, he added, has suffered from this policy and that Indonesia is looking to do the same to China and Thailand.
In February 2006, Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding for fisheries cooperation good for five years.
It aims to promote mutual consultation, exchange of technical assistance, joint research and economic cooperation on agreed areas of fisheries.
Also among others, both countries also agreed to promote cooperation in sustainable development and responsible management of fisheries in accordance with respective laws.
Fredeluces described these as just “general understandings.”
Numberi said the memorandum of understanding should serve as umbrella for bilateral cooperation that would be implemented by both countries for their mutual benefits.
The economy of this city, touted as the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines," is largely dependent on the tuna industry. Six of the eight tuna canneries operating in the country are based here. (BSS)
