MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine seas are lifelines, crucial for the survival of millions, especially small-scale fishers who depend on municipal waters. Republic Act 8550, amended by RA 10654, protects these vital areas by restricting commercial fishing vessels. This law is key to safeguarding both vulnerable communities and a struggling marine ecosystem.
Coastal waters are sanctuaries for small-scale fishers and marine life.
The debate over commercial fishing in municipal waters pits corporate interests against the livelihoods of the poorest Filipinos and the health of the ocean.
- Small-scale fishers face a 30.6% poverty rate, the highest among fishing sectors in 2021.
- 64% of Philippine coastal fisheries are overfished, threatening marine ecosystems.
- A recent Supreme Court decision allows commercial operations in municipal waters, sparking protests.
- Protecting municipal waters aligns with the Philippine Constitution’s mandate for social justice.
Imagine a fisherman in Iloilo, his simple banca a familiar sight at dawn. His tools are humble-nets, a paddle, a small engine. He’s not just fishing; he’s battling poverty and hunger with every cast. Allowing large, technologically advanced commercial vessels into his fishing grounds is an unfair fight.
In 2021, small-scale fishers faced the highest poverty rate at 30.6%, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Their struggle for survival deserves more support, not added hardship.
The ecological toll is meaningful.
The health of the seas themselves is also at stake. Studies, including one from Muallil et al. in 2012, show a staggering 64% of our coastal fisheries are overfished. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed in 2017 that critical fishing grounds were so depleted that fish populations struggled to recover.
Introducing commercial vessels into these already stressed waters is a perilous gamble. The Southeast Asia fisheries Progress Center (SEAFDEC) warned in 2022 that commercial practices like trawling damage coral ree
The precautionary principle suggests it’s better to prevent harm to marine ecosystems and fishing communities, even if the exact extent of the harm isn’t fully known.
Ultimately, this is about our values and whose voices we choose to amplify. The sea nourishes everyone who respects its bounty and cares for its future. The question remains: will we be those stewards? For the millions of Filipinos whose lives are tied to the tides, for the marine ecosystems that sustain us, and for generations to come, we must choose preservation over gambling with irreplaceable resources.
