CTR Reference No.

429326

Title of the project

Mindoro Strait Sustainable and Equitable Tuna for
Bankability

Implementing organisations

WWF Philippines and WWF Austria

Project Location/s

Occidental Mindoro

Operational Duration

(start date – end date of activities)

Feb 1, 2022- Jan 31, 2025

Allocated budget

(EU contribution only)

Eur 1,250,000

Overall and Specific objectives (simplified – for publication)

Overall Objective: A fully sustainable sourcing and
equitable seafood production leads to an enabled
and strengthened ecology-based economies of the
fisheries and aquaculture sector in the Philippines.
Specific Objective: Sustainable fishing and
resource-efficient processing practices in Occidental
Mindoro allow for a more equitable participation in
national and international seafood supply chains.

Main target groups

(1) Three (3) industry associations: Philippine
Association of Tuna Processors, Inc.; Fresh Frozen
Seafood Association of the Philippines; and Philippine
Cephalopod Association of Producers and Exporters,
Inc.
(2) Occidental Mindoro Federation of Tuna Fishers
Associations
(3) Women’s Committee in Occidental Mindoro

Main activities (simplified – for publication)

1. Work with MSMEs to reduce post-harvest
losses through the provision of training in
innovations in tuna processing practices.
2. Training and capacity building session to
upskill the capacity for MSMEs to meet
International Traceability and Sustainability
Standards.

Development of sustainable alternative
livelihoods with MSMEs resulting in a
portfolio of bankable projects and establish
financing mechanisms for sustainability-led
investments in sustainable and alternative
livelihood.
4. Share experiences and lessons learned
through the contracting of communication
materials and paraphernalia which will be
shared and published in local and regional
platforms, including the Coral Triangle
Program Knowledge Platform, including the
Coral Triangle Center in Bali, Indonesia.

Sustainability of the Project

FINANCIAL:
- Developing feasibility plans for new and
improved livelihood systems, and the
subsequent business planning exercises for
select project to ensure the bankability of the
entire portfolio.
- Ensuring financing mechanisms and
investment funds are secured for livelihood
systems ensures their financial sustainability
by working closely with stakeholders such as
the BFAR, the Department of Finance, and
the Department of Trade and Industry, as
well as financial institutions.
- By improving stock health, operational
efficiency and market value, the Action will
de-risk investment (currently perceived as
high risk) and attract fisheries investment
experts to invest.
INSTITUTIONAL:
- The formation of the Provincial Tuna Industry
Development Council, responsible for
implementing and monitoring the Occidental
Mindoro Tuna Road Map, will be an
important step in ensuring the continuity of
the action.
- Local, community-based organizations: The
Tuna Fishers’ Associations (TFAs), the
Industry Associations, and Women’s
Committees will be key target groups and
stakeholders in the project, capacitated to
achieve efficiency and certifiable standards
and quality of fishing and post harvesting, as
well as active stakeholders in fishing
governance.
- The development of institutional linkages
between the TFAs and Women’s Committees
and investors and financial institutions will put
in motion investment models and institutional
relationships.
- Identification of community leaders from the
TFAs, LGUs, and women’s committees to
train in area management that will advocate
for the needs and interests of the fishing
communities, building future leaders.
POLICY-LEVEL:
- Engagement with the Provincial Government
of Occidental Mindoro together with the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as
well as Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) in advancing the
Occidental Mindoro Tuna Road Map and the
formation of Provincial Tuna Industry and
Development Council so as to ensure that all
the management actions and measures
initiated on this project will be
institutionalized.
- Contribution in national policy frameworks to
improve fisheries in the country (such as the
National Comprehensive Industry Action Plan
and the Comprehensive Post-Harvest,
Marketing, and Ancillary Industries Plan) and
international commitments under SDG 14,
12, 1, 5, and 8 for resource-efficient
sustainable and equitable seafood supply
chains.
- Establishment of concept for the nationallevel
Fishery Improvement Programs (FIPs),
mainstreaming the socio-economic impact
measures derived from the internationally
recognized Social Responsibility Assessment
tool for the Seafood Sector.
ENVIRONMENTAL:
- Sustainable, resource-efficient technologies
and practices reduce post-harvest losses to
mitigate waste generation in the tuna seafood
supply chain.
- New or improved existing sustainable
livelihood systems (e.g. insect feeds farming
that use bio-waste for propagation) to create
new investment opportunities that will ease
pressure on the oceans, advance circular
economies, and improve the welfare of the
small-scale fisherfolk.
- Behavioral change of communities,
government authorities, industry
associations, and financial institutions to
engage in sustainable seafood sourcing,
advancing sustainable fishery economies.

Target SDGs

SDGs 1, 8, 12, and 14.