The Philippines wants tuna fishing activities to flourish in its Northern Samar province. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recently announced that it has supplied PHP 42.7 million (USD 693,840) worth of fishing boats and gears to local fishers’ associations to catch tuna in the WCPO. The beneficiaries received fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) handline fishing boats, small motorized auxiliary catch vessels, and fishing gear, as part of the BFAR’s Tuna Development Program and Capacitating Municipal Fisherfolk Program. This initiative intends to boost fishing activities, secure food supplies, and uplift the livelihoods of small-scale municipal fishers through vessel upgrades and resource management, reported Filipino news sites.

A government spokesperson explained that the initiative aims to support the Philippines’ continuing efforts to strengthen food security, improve the socio-economic conditions of fisherfolk families, and build resilient fishing communities across the region. Northern Samar is known for its rich fishing grounds, particularly tuna. BFAR hopes that the Northern Samar region can land at least 160 tons of tuna and other fish annually, especially with more boats at sea.

The three-week annual ‘Operation Tui Moana 2026’ (OPTM26) held from May 4 to 22 flagged two vessels operating in the WCPO for suspected IUU fishing. Authorities verified more than 200 boats, carried out 61 at-sea and port inspections, and shortlisted four vessels of interest, which ultimately led to two apprehensions. The suspected infringements included vessel monitoring system non-reporting, unauthorized bunkering and transshipment, along with breaches in logsheet documentation and reporting compliance, according to a Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) statement. The FFA did not clarify the type of fishing vessels.

The operation, launched in 2017, spans the EEZs of 10 Pacific Island states as well as adjoining high seas waters in the WCPO. OPTM26 integrated maritime patrols, aerial surveillance, intelligence-led analysis, and compliance monitoring to detect and deter potential fisheries infringements. Noan David Pakop, FFA Director General, explained: “Over the past three weeks, we have once again demonstrated the strength of regional solidarity and collective action in protecting our fisheries resources and strengthening the Pacific’s fight against IUU fishing and other associated transnational crimes.”

The International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) announced last week that it has appointed Nina Rosen to the Environmental Stakeholder Committee (ESC). Rosen, who has been working as the Director of FishWise for six years, took to LinkedIn to share the news. “Thrilled to be joining ISSF’s Environmental Stakeholder Committee and bringing the perspectives I’ve gained working with the seafood industry — from harvesters to end-buyers. What excites me most is ISSF’s collaborative approach to advancing marine conservation and transparency in tuna fisheries. Real progress happens when stakeholders come together around shared goals.”

The ESC brings together conservation experts who provide independent guidance to help shape ISSF’s science-based tuna sustainability policies, including recommendations on conservation measures and tuna fisheries management. Susan Jackson, ISSF President, stated that Rosen’s experience in traceability, fisheries governance, and multi-stakeholder collaboration will be helpful to ISSF.