As BFAR, Fisherfolk Groups File Appeal, Global Coalition Backs Calls To Restore Vessel Tracking
Press Release Date: August 18, 2026
Philippines Warned of Potential Losses in Exports and Subsidies from Foreign Markets
As the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and fisherfolk appellants file their separate motions for reconsideration with the Supreme Court yesterday, an international coalition of organizations upholding fisheries transparency has expressed its full backing for restoring the government’s vessel monitoring mandate, warning that failure to do so could cost the Philippines its major export markets for fish and seafood.
The Supreme Court declared Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 266 unconstitutional on July 30,2025. The regulation required Philippine flagged commercial fishing vessels to install Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and submit electronic catch reports – tools widely recognized as essential for combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
The Coalition for Fisheries Transparency (CFT), a global network of civil society organizations working together to improve accountability and openness in marine governance, voiced strong support for the appeal. “Without a clear legal framework requiring vessel monitoring, the country’s ability to combat illegal fishing, meet regional fisheries commitments, and provide the assurances increasingly demanded by seafood markets is weakened,” said Ryan Orgera, CFT Director.
According to the coalition, major import markets increasingly condition access on verifiable proof of where fish was caught. “The European Union requires vessel monitoring system (VMS) data as part of flag State verification under its IUU Regulation and may request raw VMS records for consignments entering the European market,” Orgera said. “Without a VMS mandate, Philippine exporters may find themselves unable to satisfy documentation requirements in precisely the markets on which the sector depends.”
The Philippines has previously faced market restrictions due to monitoring gaps and is currently subjected to one now. The United States recently closed its market to the Philippine blue swimming crab because the country could not adequately document and monitor the fishery’s operations against possible by-catch of endangered species. The country’s production of blue swimming crab corners 10% of the world’s blue swimming crab production, and is the 4th highest overall.
Meanwhile, SENTRO ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), also issued a separate warning about the possibility of losing the country’s trade preferences under the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+)1, which grants duty free access to more than two-thirds of tariff lines covering exports from beneficiary countries including the Philippines.
“Weakening VMS is not just about losing our eyes at sea – it could have consequences far beyond fisheries. If it results in serious and systematic non-compliance with our international fisheries obligations, it could put the Philippines’ EU GSP+ trade preferences at risk. VMS compliance is, therefore, not optional. It is an international obligation,” said Josua Mata, SENTRO Secretary General.
Oceana Philippines campaigner Atty. Nikka Oquias noted that the invalidation of FAO 266 could raise serious concerns on the Philippines’ compliance with its commitments to Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs). She emphasized that non-compliance with RFMO agreements may also affect the country’s trade arrangements with the European Union (EU).
Under EU regulations, the EU can temporarily withdraw preferential arrangements for specific products in cases of serious and systematic infringements of RFMO objectives. “The Philippines is part of several RFMOs and has committed to implementing monitoring measures like VMS to curb IUU fishing and keep catch traceable,” Oquias said.
International group, Global Fishing Watch also weighed in on the issue and said, “Continuous, open, and transparent vessel tracking is an essential foundation for sustainable ocean governance—it provides all stakeholders with the objective data needed to protect a country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), supporting compliance, and safeguarding marine resources.”
In an earlier statement, Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed confidence that the SC would reconsider its ruling, emphasizing that commercial fishing licenses are privileges subject to government regulation. “We are fairly confident that the Supreme Court will reconsider the ruling and allow us to use this internationally recognized vessel monitoring system as the most effective way to deal with IUU fishing as it relies on electronic data and not manual filing of commercial fishing firms,” he said.
Reacting to the SC decision, fisherman and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Roberto Ballon, Chair of Katipunan ng mga Kilusang Artisanong Mangingisda sa Pilipinas (KKAMPI) expressed his dismay, during the press forum organized by Oceana. “Ang karapatan lang ba ng mga malalaking mangingisda ang pinapakinggan ng ating gobyerno? Bakit kaming mga maliliit na mangingisda, wala ba kaming karapatan para malaman kung sino ang mga kasama namin? Sino ang sumisira at sino ang mga kakampi at kalaban namin sa ating pangisdaan? Parang hindi kami mga Pilipino. Ang mga Pilipino lang ba na gustong gumanda ang buhay, makaahon at makapagbigay ng ekonomiya, pagkain at kabuhayan sa ating mga Pilipino ay mga negosyate lang ba? Hindi ba kami kasama?” [“Is the government only listening to big fishing companies? Do we, the small-scale fisherfolk, not have the right to know who we are sharing the ocean with? Who is destroying our waters, who is on our side, and who is against us in this fight? It’s as if we’re not Filipinos, too. Are the big commercial fishers the only ones who are allowed to have a good life, to thrive and contribute to the country through this livelihood?”] (END)
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For More Information:
Joyce Sierra, Communications Manager, Oceana
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