First MSC-certified fishery in the Philippines

10/22/2021 | 16:56:00 | ID: 31302 | Department: Agriculture | Fisheries The handline fishery for yellowfin tuna passes the assessment procedure according to the MSC environmental standard for sustainable fishing. The Philippine Tuna Handline Partnership (PTHP) is the first fishery in the Philippines to be certified according to the environmental standard of the Marine Stewardship Council. It consists of 500 artisanal fishing boats that catch yellowfin tuna using traditional hand lines. The MSC certification is seen as a milestone for the Philippines. In the important fishing nation, small-scale small-scale fisheries make an important contribution to the economy, both in terms of income and employment. MSC certification not only helps protect fish stocks and the marine environment, it also opens up new market opportunities for artisanal Filipino fishermen. The PTHP includes around 2,000 fishermen in one of the most productive fishing areas in the Philippines, the western Mindoro ...