WWF-Philippines has been working on two handline yellowfin tuna Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) in Lagonoy Gulf and Mindoro Strait areas since 2011 and has a deep and strong relationship with the local fishing communities. WWF-Philippines has held a series of training on tuna value-adding and processing. These trainings are meant to enable women to start their own small businesses and add value to the tuna caught in the area.
However, despite the training, the women have not been able to make use of their new skills because of a lack of equipment and resources to pursue these tuna processing activities.
WWF-Philippines will provide training, resources and equipment for each municipality involved in the FIPs (15 in Lagonoy Gulf and 6 in Mindoro Strait) such as: 1. Utensils 2. Knives 3. Chopping board 4. Frying pan 5. Steamer 6. Measuring spoons & cups 7. Food processor 8. Tongs 9. Butane gas & stove 10. Grammer weighing scale 11. Mixing bowl 12. Aluminum trays 13. Colander 14. Sealer 15. Raw ingredients (e.g. vegetables, fish, seasonings)
These communities have been involved in many WWF efforts on sustainable fishing practices, from initiatives to prevent post-harvest losses to social enterprise development, to important innovations in seafood traceability. They have been true partners for sustainable fisheries, and model communities for responsible fishing practices. These FIPs are also part of the unit of assessment for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification and are the first in the Philippines to enter such a process.
