𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐒𝐔’𝐬 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭

September 2-4, 2025

Partido State University (ParSU), in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)–Philippines, showcased its CATCHFISH Project (Collaborative Access to Tracking Community, Handling of Fisheries Information, Science, and Harvest) during the 25th National Tuna Congress on September 2-4, 2025, at the Trade Hall, General Santos City. 

At these events, ParSU presented the topics “IUU Watch: Kumusta ang Catch Documentation sa Lagonoy Gulf at Mindoro Strait” and “Keeping Score on Local IUU: Catch Documentation in Lagonoy Gulf and Mindoro Strait.”  

The invitation to present at the National Tuna Congress highlights ParSU’s contribution to addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Fellow participants, specifically the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) also expressed interest in adopting the CATCHFISH system in their provinces and LGUs, further validating its relevance and potential impact. 

Launched in December 2024 through a three-year collaborative agreement between ParSU and WWF–Philippines, the CATCHFISH system is a comprehensive fisheries management database for the Lagonoy Gulf and Mindoro Strait. Its core functions include fisherfolk registration, vessel and gear licensing, and catch documentation. 

By strengthening data-driven fisheries governance, the project supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 14: Life Below Water, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, affirming ParSU’s commitment to sustainable fisheries, innovation, and community partnership, making the University a vital force in advancing responsible resource management in the region. 

Photo credits: Mr. Nicolas A. Pura

Read more: 
https://tinyurl.com/dun5a37x 
https://tinyurl.com/2ezh7c87 
https://tinyurl.com/mpaj47ce