A team of fisheries negotiators from Palau Island is in town to explore joint fishing agreement with the Philippines, Director Malcolm I. Sarmiento, Jr. said.

The delegation is composed of Palau Ambassador to the Philippines Ramon Rechibei, fisheries officials, and top executives of three tuna fishing firms from Palau.

Sarmiento said the Palau team is now in General Santos City touring the facilities of local fish companies.

According to Sarmiento, the govemment is eyeing for a joint venture-type of deal that will allow certain number of Philippine fishing vessels to operate in Palau.

Since 2007, the DA through the BFAR, has been looking for new fishing grounds in other countries and territories. The Philippines fears of a significant loss in fishery production in view of the non-renewal of a new fishing access deal with Indonesia after the old one expired in 2006.

"With Indonesia, we will try to do another round of talks but I'm not putting much hope anymore on forging a new agreement with them " Director Sarmiento said. Instead, the government is considering other fishing areas, including Palau Island, he said.

BFAR is also working on an access agreement with Solomon Island, Micronesia and Kiribati.

Last year, the Philippines signed an agreement with Timor Leste for access to each other's fishing grounds, as well as for joint initiatives for sustainable fishing resources management.