There can only be a
thriving tuna industry- one that is responsive, strengthened and competitive. This
must be the thrust of the key policy makers- both from the government and the
non-government organizations, business leaders and all of the labor force
composing this industry. And for the many years that the tuna fishing industry
has been beset with so many challenges – dwindling tuna stocks, climate change,
economic pressures- it has remained strong and able to produce the needed
income for the great number of people dependent on it. It has been continually
improving in its fishing management through science-based knowledge and data-analysis.
More importantly, though there are birth pains, it has been establishing ways
to afford more decent working conditions for its labor force, especially the
fisherfolks.
This is a cause for a
celebration and a call for heightened efforts towards keeping our tuna
proliferating and ensuring that our workers, the backbone of this industry, are
given a quality life deserving of the toil they have been honestly expending since
day one of the making of the world-renowned tuna industry of this country.
For 19 years now, the
National Tuna Congress has been that platform for making a force to reckon out
of this industry. And on this year, we give emphasis on the characters that
define it. The Philippine Tuna Industry: Responsive. Strengthened. Competitive.
This
is the industry’s assertion. The Philippine Tuna Industry is “Responsive” to
market developments and trends; “Strengthened” with the collaborative efforts
of both the government and industry to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated
Fishing for a sustainable tuna fishery; globally “Competitive” through the
industry players’ competition, innovation, and enhanced access to information
on technologies and markets.
Now,
here is a call for us to once again, come together in the 19th
National Tuna Congress, a gathering of about 800 participants representing
fishing companies, logistics and technology suppliers/ service providers and
various industry partners from all throughout the country and abroad.
Consistent
with the time-honoured tradition of advocacy and standing-up for relevant
issues and immediate concerns affecting the fishing industry, the Congress has
lined up topics of relevance to stakeholders. You will be exploring
opportunities as the USAID Ocean will be presenting relevant supported studies.
You will write a part of history that will spell the future of the tuna
industry as you will be participating in the making of the final draft of the
National Tuna Management Plan. You will ultimately be able to contribute to the
redefinition of the working conditions of our fishworkers as you look into
their current circumstances to be presented by our invited speaker from Verite.
And that is just for starters. Of course, it would not hurt if you could
exchange valuable information and close beneficial business deals with more than 150 exhibitors of the Congress, would it?
So
on September 6 to 8, 2017 at the SM City, General Santos City, come and let us
make our shared visions happen!
