Oceana tackles post-harvest losses to boost livelihoods in coastal communities  - Oceana Philippines
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May 29, 2025

Oceana tackles post-harvest losses to boost livelihoods in coastal communities 

Photo © J. Sierra

In the Philippines, municipal fishers are vital to our coastal communities, yet they face daily struggles to make ends meet. Recent findings from an Oceana commissioned study in Northern Samar and Samar—two regions with high levels of poverty and malnutrition—reveal a disturbing reality: 40% of fish catch is lost due to poor storage and handling practices. These losses represent lost income, wasted resources, and missed meals for families who depend on fishing for survival. 

The study findings highlight the need for immediate intervention: 

  • In many remote, island-based communities, ice and refrigeration are inaccessible, making fish preservation difficult. 
  • This leads to weakened nutrition for families and lost income opportunities for fishers. 

Daram, Samar is one of the island communities where ice is often scarce, fish are often exposed to sun, flies, and dust, compromising the quality and safety of their harvest. Thus, the livelihoods and nutrition of the local population are threatened. 

Addressing these losses is one of the key goals of Oceana’s Reduce Post-Harvest Fish Loss or Fish in Nutrition System (FINS) campaign, in partnership with the local government of Daram. It was designed to reduce waste, improve fish catch retention, and support sustainable fishing practices. 


Why Does This Matter?

Improving post-harvest support and investing in better storage and transportation technologies can dramatically reduce fish losses. Municipal fishers will be trained to add value to their fish harvest through processing. Fish products will be sold in the communities, providing them with nutritious food at fair prices. Meanwhile, fisherfolk will earn additional income that will help tide them over to the next peak season of fish catch. The marine resources are given time to replenish and for the fish to grow and reproduce. 


How to support the Reduce Post-harvest Fish Loss Campaign 

  • Raise awareness: Share stories of how post-harvest losses affect the communities and why action matters. 
  • Support Local Fishers: Champion programs that give fishers access to cold storage, training, and local markets. 
  • Advocate for better practices: Call for stronger policies to support science-based and sustainable post-harvest practices, and stronger investment in functional coastal infrastructure. 
  • Highlight Solutions: Showcase successful practices that improve fish quality, sustainability, and community income. 
  • Support your local fishers: Encourage efforts to improve access to resources like refrigeration and cold storage.