This workshop was organized by the Fishing Industry Association of Papua New Guinea in collaboration with TSP Marine Industry for the need to strengthen the links of our business partners and buyers in General Santos, the Philippines.
The workshop and consultation were attended by more than 40 participants from both the FIA PNG Tuna fishing representatives and the Philippines’ tuna processing and canneries representatives, which was held at the Basil Room, Greenleaf, Hotel in General Santos, Philippines from 5th -6th February 2025.
On day 1, Anita Lee, MSC Senior Commercial Manager—Oceania, shared an update on the MSC tuna product's impact in global markets, the theory of change, and the global canned tuna market's growth.
Later in the afternoon, she explained the five Chain of Custody (CoC) and shared case studies and examples of the application of each principle in a tuna cannery. It also shared the MSC CoC assurance model and the eco-label program.
It was important to explain principle # 1 (MSC CoC) and from where a tuna cannery or tuna processing factory can buy certified tuna. From the three (3) scenarios:
Buy from a CoC supplier – search in the MSC e-search suppliers
Buy direct from a certified fishery – search for a certified fishery on the MSC website
Buy directly from a certified farm, which is not applicable for any of the Filipino tuna canneries.
Two (2) examples were given, and the attendees asked questions about the type of documents to be provided to the MSC CoC auditor during the annual audit at the Tuna canneries or tuna processing facilities:
Fishing Vessel owner’s invoice
Captain statement
Certificate (valid) of the fishery
Fishing license
Carrier or fishing vessel outlook (wells or hatches)
FIA PNG batch certificate – fishing trip
Verification sources: WCPFC website, ISSF PVR website
On day 2, Marcelo Hidalgo, FIA PNG COO, shared the FIA PNG tuna MSC fishery traceability risk analysis. In the morning, he reviewed two (2) case studies about traceability at sea, how the risk assessment on the fishery ensures where the ownership point shall start, and consequently, the Chain of Custody. He based his presentation on the Certification Body Fishery Annual Assessment Report from 2020 and 2024 to get a good picture of the process.
In the afternoon he finished his intervention by sharing the FIA PNG assurance model and why FIA PNG MSC tuna fishery is different from others, and it is recognized as a regional leader among tuna industry players.
Day # 2 ended after Stephanie Pokajam, FIA PNG VMS, and traceability Coordinator, took the participant across the process of the FIA PNG fishing trip number application (batch certificate) and development.
She also explained how the data collected in an FIA PNG batch is linked to the National Fishery Authority (NFA) FIMS platform. It is important to remark that this document is the link and overlapping point between the fishery traceability and the Chain of Custody certification at Land.
At the end of the two (2) day workshop and consultation, Sylvester Pokajam – FIA PNG Chairman and President, called for more collaboration between both industrial groups and thanked everyone for the massive attendance to this important meeting in General Santos.
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