By Francis Allan L. Angelo
The Philippines’ fish stocks are nearing collapse as illegal commercial fishers continue to exploit municipal waters, threatening the livelihood of small-scale fishers and the country’s food security, according to experts and advocacy groups.
At the Convergence Summit for the Protection of Municipal Waters, held recently, stakeholders expressed alarm over the worsening situation, compounded by a court ruling that declared unconstitutional the preferential access granted to municipal fishers and the authority of local governments over the 15-kilometer municipal waters.
The Supreme Court’s First Division upheld the Malabon Regional Trial Court’s decision, further weakening protections for small-scale fishers.
“Municipal waters are reserved for small-scale fishers. This is aligned with the Constitution that promotes social justice. Yet we see illegal commercial fishers blatantly violating this and outcompeting our artisanal fishers, further intensifying socio-economic inequalities. This isn’t just an environmental crisis; it’s an economic and food security emergency,” said Atty. Liza Eisma-Osorio, acting vice president of Oceana.
According to the 2017 National Stock Assessment Program report by the National Fisheries and Research Development Institute (NFRDI), 87% of the country’s fish stocks are classified as overfished.
Data presented by the Philippine Association of Marine Science (PAMS), citing the presentation of Dr. Wilfredo Campos in their forum on January 22, showed that the average catch per fisher dropped from 5 kilograms in 2010 to 4 kilograms in 2023.
Over the past 13 years, the country has lost an estimated 591,136 metric tons of fish—enough to sustain 42 million Filipinos based on an average annual per-capita consumption of 14 kilograms.
“This goes beyond mere statistics; it’s a crisis threatening the nation’s food security and the livelihoods of countless Filipino families,” Osorio stressed.
Rising Illegal Fishing Incidents
The Karagatan Patrol, which uses the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) to detect commercial fishing vessel lights at night, found 860 detections inside municipal waters from March 2 to 8, 2025—an 18.9% increase from the 723 detections recorded the previous week.
A year-on-year analysis of VIIRS data revealed a 15% rise in commercial fishing vessels operating inside municipal waters, from 27,654 in 2023 to 31,843 in 2024.
Hotspots for illegal fishing include Zamboanga City; Cuyo, Palawan; San Pascual, Masbate; Tongkil, Sulu; Languyan, Tawi-Tawi; Pagbilao, Quezon; and Carles, Iloilo.
The summit underscored the worsening poverty and hunger among coastal communities, with municipal fisherfolk facing a poverty incidence of 30.6% in 2021.
“Full implementation of our laws, particularly stopping commercial fishing inside municipal waters, is not only desirable but also essential. This requires a collaborative effort involving government agencies, scientists, and local communities to implement science-based policies that protect both the ecosystem and the livelihoods of those who depend on it,” the summit organizers stated.
Osorio urged local governments and enforcement agencies to fulfill their mandates in protecting municipal waters and safeguarding artisanal fishers.
“We are grateful that the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) has joined our call and, through a recent resolution, commits to fully enforcing environmental and fisheries laws,” she added.
The LMP resolution, issued on Feb. 10, 2025, asserts the autonomy of municipalities to manage, conserve, and protect municipal waters under Article X of the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code of 1991. It warns that the Supreme Court ruling undermines local governance and weakens LGUs’ ability to enforce environmental regulations.
Stronger Enforcement, Alternative Livelihoods
During the summit, stakeholders urged the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), local governments, and other enforcement agencies to file criminal cases against violators and impose stricter fines and penalties under the amended Fisheries Code.
Participants also called on national agencies to develop sustainable fishing programs and provide alternative livelihoods for affected communities.
Oceana, the world’s largest advocacy organization dedicated to ocean conservation, continues to push for science-based policies to combat overfishing, habitat destruction, and marine pollution.
“With more than 325 victories worldwide, Oceana’s campaigns aim to restore marine abundance, ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from the ocean’s resources,” the group stated.
