This report, prepared in partnership with USAID Oceans by the Kabang Kalikasan ng Pilipinas Foundation Inc. (KKPFI)–also known as the World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines)–documents the expanded application and testing of municipal electronic catch documentation and traceability (eCDT) technologies beyond the USAID Oceans Learning Site of General Santos City, into the Bicol and Mindoro regions of the Philippines where WWF-Philippines works with municipal fishers and Local Governance Units (LGUs). The application of eCDT technologies in Bicol and Mindoro is intended to help combat IUU fishing, promote sustainable fisheries, and conserve marine biodiversity through the demonstration and expansion of eCDT technologies in the small-scale handline tuna fisheries the Philippines.

This report is focused on the application and testing of eCDT by the small-scale tuna handline fisheries at sites in Bicol and Mindoro working in partnership with WWF-Philippines. This involved the installation and use of onboard FAME radio frequency transponders and Near-field Communication (NFC) cards within the small-scale handline tuna fisheries. The report notes on the user friendliness of the device and evaluating the acceptance of the fishers, considering the perception that it would be an additional task for their fishing operation. The information gathered in this report provides a case study of the potential of eCDT technology for small-scale fisheries in terms of combating IUU fishing. Furthermore, the case study illustrates how essential this technology can be in promoting sustainable fisheries, as well as understanding the direct benefits the eCDT can have for artisanal fisheries.

World Wide Fund for Nature. (2020). Applying eCDT Technologies in Small-scale Tuna Handline Fisheries in the Philippines (Full report).