TIME TO START FISH CAGE FARMING OF TUNA IN THE PHILIPPINES

TIME TO START FISH CAGE FARMING OF TUNA IN THE PHILIPPINES

The signs are already here. Catching tuna in the wild has become more difficult. Big commercial fishing boats might still manage to chase them in deeper and more distant parts of the ocean, but what about the artisanal fishermen with small boats? They are left with fewer chances to catch tuna, which used to be abundant closer to shore.

It is not only the worsening weather due to climate change that makes fishing harder. The food of the tuna—the smaller species of fish they depend on—has also become scarce. And here lies a problem: humans eat the same species that tuna feed on. That means we are competing directly with tuna for food. The more we eat of these small fish, the less food there is for tuna, pushing them to seek other feeding grounds, farther away.

Sooner or later, a bigger problem will hit us. If the tuna catches decline further, the tuna canning industry in Mindanao—especially in General Santos City—could face closure. Thousands of workers and their families could lose their livelihoods.

This is why I say the time is now, not later, to start fish cage farming of tuna in our coastal areas. We don’t have to wait for a crisis. We should act before the collapse of the wild tuna catch happens.

Science has already shown that many species, including tuna and salmon, can grow in fish cages. Japan, Spain, and Turkey are already doing it. Why not the Philippines? As a matter of fact, technology now allows tuna to be grown even in inland containers, using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) with controlled temperature and salinity. This shows that tuna aquaculture is no longer just theory—it is practical, if only we have the will to make it happen.

Climate change is real, and it will not go away. If we do not adapt, we will lose one of our most important industries. We must protect our tuna sector by ensuring that supply does not run out—no matter how climate patterns change.

So what should be done? For one, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) should collaborate to pilot tuna cage farming projects. The University of the Philippines–Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and SEAFDEC already have the technical know-how. What is lacking is a clear national strategy and investment.

Of course, there are challenges. Fish cages cost money to build and maintain. Tuna farming requires advanced skills in hatchery management and feeding. Storms and fish kills are real risks. But these problems are not insurmountable. Norway overcame the same challenges in salmon farming. Japan pioneered tuna farming despite its complexity. If other countries can do it, why can’t we?

Perhaps we could begin with small-scale, barangay-level pilots. Imagine a cooperative of fisherfolk managing floating tuna cages in clean coastal waters. They could be supported by BFAR for training, supplied with hatchery-bred juvenile tuna from government facilities, and linked to canneries and exporters for guaranteed markets.

This would not only protect the supply chain for General Santos canneries, but also give coastal communities new sources of income. Instead of relying solely on dwindling wild catches, fisherfolk could benefit directly from the emerging tuna aquaculture sector.

We should also look at circular approaches. Waste from tuna cages could be absorbed by co-cultivating seaweeds or shellfish nearby, reducing pollution and creating additional products. Feed could be supplemented with trimmings from fish processing plants or even insect protein, reducing costs and pressure on wild stocks.

If we are serious, the Philippines could be a leader in tropical tuna aquaculture. We already have the long coastline, the skilled fisherfolk, and the scientific expertise. What we lack is coordination, investment, and the political will to make this a national priority.

I ask again: do we wait for our tuna canneries to close before we act? Do we wait for thousands of families to lose their jobs before we recognize the urgency? Or do we prepare now, while we still have the chance, by building a future where tuna is not only caught in the wild, but also grown in sustainable farms?

The answer should be clear. The time to start tuna cage farming in the Philippines is now.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

10-29-2025 

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