The tuna fishers' federation here has appealed to an international body to exempt small-and medium-sized purse seine vessels from the fishing ban in portions of the Pacific Ocean, noting that the number of workers displaced by this move has now grown by another 400 from the 208 earlier reported. Marfenio Y. Tan, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc., urged the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) to allow such boats - the kinds operated by Philippine fishing companies - to catch tuna in the prohibited area.

Sarmiento, A. S. (2010, February 16). Fishers appeal tuna ban. BusinessWorld, p. S1/6.