Photo Credits: Fitz Villafuerte and Berniemack Arelláno
General Santos City the Tuna Capital of the Philippines.
In December 1994 the biggest construction project in General Santos City began and this project was funded by the Overseas Economic Cooperative Fund (OECF) of Japan, who is one of the major consumer of high quality tuna products especially the sushi and sashimi. The complex which has a total land area of 32hectare is owned by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) and is strategically located at Barangay Tambler, where most of the tuna canning factories were also constructed. The construction of the General Santos City Fish Port Complex (GSCFPC) was completed March 1999 and from then on it started to export Tuna to major foreign markets in South East Asia, United States, Europe and Australia.
The day before we went to the Fish Port Complex, we were already oriented by
GandaEverSomuch.com and
Gensantos.com, of the strict rules implemented and that is no shorts, slippers and sandos allowed and plus if you want to get inside the market area you have to provide your own white rubber boots (as in white only, no other colors allowed). Thanks to the administration department of the complex for preparing us the exact the number of boots, even for the little girl who was with us for the S3X tour. For those who have no prescribed outfit, that would be not much of a problem as some locals anticipate already some tourist in the complex, so their are some store just right outside the complex that sells white rubber boots and used pants in case you really have no time to go back as tuna are unloaded only early morning. Within the facility was a number of roving guards and coupled CCTV cameras for ensuring that everyone followed the standard procedures set. This complex was accredited by the USA and European Union.
After putting up our boots, gensantos.com explained to us the layout of the complex then later on we started walking towards the entrance area of market where the giant tuna and other big fishes were unloaded. But first thing first we have to soaked our boots on a water tub, which I don't know what chemical component was their but I am certain that it was for hygienic purpose. If you don't step their then the guards will not allow you to come in. Luckily we were still able to catch some giant tuna but as explained to us by Avel, if have reached earlier, we might have witness a more crowded and more high quality line-up of tuna.
To my
estimate only half portion of the market was filled with tuna as some
of which were already packed and transported. But still 50% population
of Tuna was still a big thing for us; each one of us tried to get a
closer look of the yellow fin tuna, touched it and smelled it. Later
on, when we saw some fish carried and place on a weigh scale, each one
of us post together with the tuna and I am surprised with the weight of
tunas ranging from 30kilos - 70kilos. But of all of us, I was the one
with the heaviest tuna with a total weight of 72 kilos, which exceed 2
kilos of my current body weight. Another thing that I had observed in
the market was that even gallons of tuna blood spoiled in the floors and
dozens of fins and gills were removed, still the sight of market for me
is still the cleanest.
Later on I even tried to carry small tuna, but it was too heavy for me and so I shifted to a different specie if fish, I forgot the name but as mentioned it was a good quality of fish to be used for fillet. Next thing I saw was a piece of tube inserted to each fish, as this will identify the class of fish if it is to be exported, supplied to canneries or to be consumed locally. Out of the many species of tuna, it was estimated that 45% of the tuna catch are skipjack, then 25% are yellow fin and about 23% are frigate and bullet tuna and the remaining 7% are already mixed specie. With regards to its net landings around 60% are brought to the canneries, 35% are exported and 5% sold locally.
Following the great opportunity to witness giant tuna carried on shoulder we preceded to next market where banera's of fishes were unloaded, segregated and classified. Still the market was clean and organized, but we did not stay long there as our main target was only the giant tuna. But still I am thankful to this market as they are the one providing us the local fishes we generally consume.
What else is the better way to celebrate Tuna festival than to be with the tuna. I salute all the people behind catching and preparing this fishes. May the Tuna industry continue to grow, to bring more jobs to the Generals.
Special thanks to Port Manager Caloy
Hagosojos for ensuring our access to the GSCFPC.
Additional Credits:
GenSan City Mayor's Office for the usage of their L300 Van
