Oceana welcomes Senate probe on weak monitoring of commercial fishing boats inside municipal waters
Press Release Date: March 5, 2026
International marine conservation organization Oceana and national fisherfolk federation PANGISDA Pilipinas welcome the resolution filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros seeking a Senate investigation, in aid of legislation, into how the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and other agencies are implementing Vessel Monitoring Measures (VMM).
“Kasama kami ni Senator Hontiveros sa kanyang panukalang imbestigahan ang BFAR dahil sa pagkukulang nitong bantayan ang mga komersyal na pangisda na lumalabag sa batas at patuloy na nangingisda sa loob ng municipal water. Matagal na panahon nang nagbubulag-bulagan ang ahensya sa pangunahing dahilan ng pagbagsak ng ating pangisdaan. Iyan ay dahil inuuna ng pamahalaan ang komersyal na interes bago ang kapakanan ng mga municipal na mangingisda,” said Pablo Rosales, President of PANGISDA Pilipinas.
Oceana Vice President Von Hernandez said it is high time that the Senate intervenes and investigates how the billions of pesos spent in the installation of vessel monitoring devices since 2021 are being used to arrest and reverse the continuing decline in our capture fisheries. Hernandez said this is an important measure for artisanal fishers who stand to lose the most from BFAR’s refusal and reticence to share this critical data with enforcement agencies and local government units.
“The continuous intrusion of commercial fishing vessels inside municipal waters is one of the major causes of overfishing and the reason why we are losing an average of 45 million kilos of fish catch every year. We support this investigation and we hope it leads to the enhanced protection of municipal waters across the country especially against illegal commercial fishing incursions,” said Hernandez.
Proposed Senate Resolution No. 324 filed by Senator Hontiveros today seeks to determine whether gaps in enforcement, coordination, and data sharing are allowing the continued intrusion of commercial fishing vessels into the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved exclusively for small-scale fisherfolk and where they have preference or priority in use.
“Fisherfolk remain among the poorest sectors in the country. Kailangan nating masiguro na ang mga polisiya ay nagpapaunlad ng kanilang buhay, hindi yung lalong nagpapalubog sa kanila,” Hontiveros stated.
The resolution cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority that shows a steady decline in fisheries production over the years. Municipal fisheries output has dropped to its lowest recorded level in more than two decades. (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