Bigelow, Keith

"The objective of this study was to utilize NSAP data to estimate relative abundance or standardized CPUE for tuna species in Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN) in southern Mindanao for use in the 2014 WCPFC skipjack and yellowfin assessments. This study produced monthly relative abundance indices for yellowfin tuna in the handline fishery and skipjack and yellowfin tuna in the purse seine fishery. A technical report will be produced that contains a larger scope of additional species and inclusion of the ringnet fishery. Bigeye tuna indices were not incorporated into the WCPFC assessment, as they are non-informative due to relatively low catch levels in the Philippines. Unlike many other purse seine fisheries, bigeye tuna identification problems are negligible in the Philippines due to the reliability of the BFAR NSAP catch composition data from port sampling"--Introduction (page 3).

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Philippines