Fisherfolk and civil society representatives, a coastal municipality, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice and Oceana submit petition to intervene on the Supreme Court’s declaration of reserved waters for municipal fishers as unconstitutional
Press Release Date: January 2, 2025
January 2, 2025 — In a key moment to uphold the rights of small-scale, municipal fisherfolk, Oceana, fisherfolk and civil society representatives and a coastal local government submit the petition to intervene on the Supreme Court’s declaration as unconstitutional the 15-kilometer municipal water, a domain legally reserved for municipal fisherfolk.
More than a hundred fisherfolk and urban poor activists along with civil society and environment support groups troop to the grounds of the Supreme Court on Padre Faura, Manila. Their mission: to raise the harmful impacts of the Supreme Court’s controversial decision allowing commercial fishing corporations to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters zone.
Oceana, represented by its Vice-President Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos stands as one of the petitioners of the case, filing suit on behalf of the 87 million Filipino citizens who depend on pelagic fish as a food source.
“Our fisheries are in crisis due to unchecked overfishing and illegal practices. While science-backed reforms under RA 10654 offer a clear path to recover from these, we are disappointed to find the courts and our government agencies acting towards the opposite direction. To protect both our marine ecosystems and our artisanal fisherfolk, we must enforce the law and stand firm against exploitation. Umaapela kami: pakinggan natin ang ating mga mamayan, pamahalaang lokal at mangingisda dahil sila ang pinakaapektado rito. (We appeal to the state: listen to the citizens, local governments and fisherfolk because they are the most affected by this decision),” said Ramos.
Joining Oceana as petitioners are the following: Philippine Movement for Climate Justice; Municipal Mayor Ithamar Espinosa representing the Municipality of Santa Fe, Bantayan, Cebu; Rowel Saldajeno based in San Jose, Antique, President of Funda Dalipe Fisherfolks Association and the Chairperson of the Municipal Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC); and Arnel Boholst, a municipal fisherfolk based in Bacacay, Albay and Chairperson of Lagonoy Gulf Integrated Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council (IFARMC) and the Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD) in Tayhi, Tabaco City.
The filing scheduled for this afternoon is supported by a united call to protect artisanal fisherfolk’s livelihoods, uphold constitutional rights to a healthy and sustainable environment, and preserve Philippine marine biodiversity already on the brink of collapse.
Fisherfolk’s Plea for Preferential Rights, Survival
Norlan Pagal, President of the Anapog Fishing Association in San Remigio, Cebu, voiced the dire implications of the Supreme Court’s decision. “Dahil sa decision ng SC, kami po ay unti-unti nilang pinapatay dahil pinapasok nila ang commercial fishing sa municipal water. Paano na kami? Iyong mga commercial fishing, makakapunta sila sa malalaking laot. Kami po, paano kami makakapunta? Wala naman kaming kakayahan na pumunta doon, dahil sagwan lang ang aming ginagamit at saka maliliit na pumpboat.” (Because of the SC’s decision, we are slowly being killed off. As they allow commercial fishers to enter municipal waters – what can we do? These corporations can go far and wide into the ocean. We only use oars and small pumpboats – we cannot compete with them.)
For decades, the Fisheries Code’s provision reserving municipal waters for small-scale fishers served as a lifeline for marginalized communities reliant on traditional fishing methods. With weak enforcement on the ban of commercial fishing, the fisherfolk attribute these encroaching on these zones, bolstered by the courts’ ruling, municipal fisherfolk face a clear and present threat to their way of life.
Scientific Evidence of Crisis
The urgency of the matter is underscored by scientific data. Dr. Wilfredo Campos, scientist from OceanBio Lab, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, emphasized the long-term impacts of overfishing: “Fishing is a privilege of every Filipino, but it comes with responsibilities. The state needs to ensure equity among user groups and stakeholders while safeguarding adequate resources to support livelihoods. Clear evidence from investigations since the 1980s shows that most of our traditional coastal fishing grounds are overfished. Many of these require a 40-60% reduction in fishing effort from 1980s levels to attain maximum sustainable yield. This decision exacerbates an already dire situation, threatening not only marine biodiversity but also the food security of millions of Filipinos.”
Mobilizing for Change
Speakers in the rally underscore the urgency of government’s action to implement the constitutional rights of the people to a healthy marine environment and resources.
These leaders, alongside fisherfolk and urban poor organizations, articulate the far-reaching consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision on the rule of law, constitutional principles, and national environmental policies. This is the second mobilization this week, with the first held last Monday in Quezon City. The speakers warned that allowing commercial fishing in municipal waters will further deplete already exhausted marine resources, increase fish prices in the market, and deepen poverty in coastal communities. Coupled with climate change impacts, these pressures threaten to destabilize an already fragile ecosystem and its dire consequences to the population and food security. (END)
Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the world’s wild fish catch. With more than 300 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.
For More Information:
Joyce Sierra, Communications Manager, Oceana
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