Fish port workers haul the day’s tuna catch for processing inside the GenSan City Fishport Complex. During the 24th National Tuna Congress and Trade Exhibit, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. underscored the tuna industry’s crucial role in generating investments, creating jobs, and ensuring food security. He addressed challenges such as climate change, overfishing, and illegal fishing practices, and highlighted key initiatives like the National Tuna Management Plan to bolster the industry’s resilience.
The Philippines is a leading global tuna producer in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, with tuna being the top export commodity, accounting for an average of 479,700 metric tons—11 percent of the country’s total fisheries production.
The average annual tuna export over the past five years is approximately 107,608 metric tons.
Image credits: Bernard Testa
