Wednesday, June 25, 2008 RP seeks lifting of tuna ban
GENERAL SANTOS CITY - Malacañang has created a top-level negotiating team to convince Indonesia to reconsider its ban on the transport of raw tuna outside its territory.
Undersecretary Virgilio L. Leyretana Sr., chair of the Mindanao Economic Development Council, said he and retired General Efren L. Abu, the Special Envoy to BIMP-Eaga, have been in touch with Indonesian officials for the possible lifting of Jakarta's tuna outbound ban policy.
"The government is resorting to "creative options" to resolve the issue. There shall be reciprocity in a spirit of amity, equity and fairness," Leyretana said.
Leyretana noted they are taking the necessary steps on concerns that the ban may affect tens of thousands of families dependent on the local tuna industry, adding that fishermen from North Sulawesi, Indonesia may also be affected.
Leyretana said they are slated to meet again with their foreign counterparts in Indonesia within the month to work on a mutually-benefiting agreement.
Indonesia is a source of tuna supplies for the local tuna industry of the country, which is centered in General Santos City, the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines."
Indonesia, while rich in tuna resources, is still reportedly lagging behind the country's tuna industry in terms of facilities and technical knowledge.
Francisco J. Buencamino Jr., executive director of the Tuna Canners Association of the Philippines, earlier said that Indonesia implemented the ban to encourage investments in its tuna industry.
The Philippine negotiating team is also expected to work out the renewal of the bilateral fishing agreement with Indonesia.
The five-year bilateral fishing agreement ended in December 2005 but was extended 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 (EEZ)."
The agreement allowed 75 catcher vessels, 150 fish carriers, 20 long liners, 300 light boats, and 10 single purse seiners in EEZ.
It also gave access to the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas of the Indonesian EEZ.
(BSS)
