Oceana Pushes for Strong Local Government Authority Over Municipal Waters
Press Release Date: May 6, 2026
Oceana is ramping up the call for stronger local government control and protection of the 15-kilometer municipal fishing zone – the last lifeline of artisanal fishers facing overfishing and escalating intrusion from commercial fishing operators.
In solidarity with fisherfolk and other civil society groups, Oceana endorses the filing of the “Bantay-Dagat, Yaman-Lokal Act,” a bill authored by Dinagat Island Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, which asserts and restores local government units’ (LGUs) authority over municipal waters and strengthens fisheries governance. According to the group, this is an important step to restore fisheries abundance and improve the state of poverty and hunger in coastal communities.
“The passage of this proposal gives artisanal fisherfolk a fighting chance and LGUs need all the support that government can provide to bring relief to small fisherfolk and their families who are barely surviving from the continuous depletion of fish stocks in their fishing grounds. Giving LGUs full control over municipal waters is a critical step toward protecting small fishers from relentless commercial encroachment,” said Von Hernandez, Oceana Vice President,
A 2023 Malabon Court ruling struck down key provisions of the Fisheries Code, including LGU jurisdiction and municipal fishers’ preferential access to the 15-kilometer municipal waters. The Supreme Court First Division affirmed this ruling the following year but Oceana and representatives from LGUs, artisanal fishers, church and other civil society groups filed petitions to intervene in the case, while the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) filed for motion for reconsideration. Though the decision is not yet final, commercial fishing boats have been raiding the 15-kilometer zone with impunity.
Oceana’s Karagatan Patrol detected 3,853 apparent commercial fishing vessels inside municipal waters, in March alone, the highest in five years, using Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) night light data.
“We commend Rep. Bag-ao and other legislators for fighting to protect our municipal waters. Now we call on the House leadership and President Marcos Jr., to support this proposal and reject any attempt to water down the Fisheries Code. No weakening of protections for municipal waters. It’s time to make ocean recovery and genuine support for small fisherfolks a true priority of this administration,” Hernandez added.
Fisherfolk leader Venerando Carbon from the Tañon Strait Fisherfolk Federation based in Cebu said artisanal fishers need to sail about four to five kilometers from the shore in Tañon Strait to ensure they have catch. “We used to spend PHP 200 to PHP 300 each day on fuel, now it’s P700 – just to catch enough fish to pay for the boat ride home.”
With rising fuel costs, Oceana contends that commercial operators encroach with impunity, while poor fishers struggle with daily food and fuel costs. (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 325 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 Mobile: 09178214430 E-mail: jsierra@oceana.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/oceana.philippines Twitter: @oceana_ph Instagram: @oceana_ph