PH tuna exports risk losing sustainability certifications over municipal fishing issue
Press Release Date: August 20, 2025
Philippine tuna exports face possible backlash with their sustainability certifications required by the international market due to the Supreme Court’s First Division ruling that permits commercial fishing vessels to operate within municipal waters.
Industry stakeholders are alarmed that this decision could jeopardize the country’s access to crucial export markets, where traceability and sustainability of fish products are required.
“Allowing commercial vessels in municipal waters raises serious questions about stock management and environmental enforcement,” cautioned Veronica ‘Jinky’ Rabano of Jarla Trading, a member of the Philippine Association of Tuna Processors Inc. (PATPI).
Rabano shared critical concern among industry players on the potential risk of losing specific sustainability certifications.
Municipal fisherfolk who supply tuna to fish processors like Rabano explained the already dwindling fish catch because of continuous intrusion of commercial fishers inside municipal fishers.
Fisherfolk leader and Chairperson of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council in Mamburao, Mindoro, Bernard Mayo, explained how municipal fishers who supply tuna to fish processors are affected by dwindling catch sizes and volume. “We catch less tuna these days. We used to catch around 100 kilograms per trip. Now, we catch less than 50, if anything at all,” Mayo stated. “The area designated for municipal fishing is already small, and they want to encroach on that too,” he added.
Data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) indicate that approximately 70 percent of tuna caught in municipal waters is harvested by small-scale fishers. Experts warn that permitting larger commercial vessels in these areas could disrupt the balance of fishing efforts and undermine essential stock management strategies that have been critical for maintaining previous certifications.
Rabano agreed with Mayo that the Supreme Court ruling, once enforced will affect all the players in the supply chain of tuna export, not only the exporters. “Maintaining our certifications is not just about brand reputation; it’s a matter of survival for our business. If we lose them, we risk losing access to our key markets,” she added.
PATPI is a member of the Philippine Tuna Handline Partnership (PTHP), which also includes the Gulf of Lagonoy Tuna Fishers Federation Inc. (GLTFFI) and the Occidental Mindoro Federation of Tuna Fishers Associations (OMFTFA). It took years and millions of pesos to complete the certification process for PTHP, which became the first group of fishermen to receive Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification in October 2021.
Oceana Vice President Von Hernandez commented, “The Supreme Court ruling has wide-reaching and increasingly evident impacts that harm fishing associations and small-scale fishers. As duty bearers, it is essential for the government to assess how this ruling weakens and jeopardizes the entire framework that sustainability certifications rely on, particularly traceability, fairness for artisanal fishers, and compliance to environmental standards.”
Under the Philippine Constitution, municipal waters extending 15 kilometers from the coastline are reserved as priority areas for small-scale or artisanal fishers. These are nearshore areas that are crucial for the spawning and nursery phases of tuna and other important fish species.
Oceana said the SC ruling will negatively affect even the commercial and industry tuna exporters with the Philippines being one of the world’s leading exporters of canned and processed tuna.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed shipments from this sector exceeded $500 million in 2024 and out of this is $284.26 million worth of canned tuna to EU member countries. The Philippines ranked fourth among the top export shipments to this region.
Aside from the EU, the other primary markets for these exports include the United States, and Japan, all demanding proof of sustainability through third-party ecolabels, such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Friend of the Sea (FOS) labels. Obtaining these certifications enables exporters to enter more lucrative segments, command higher prices for certified products, and maintain access as regulatory standards evolve.
The Department of Agriculture, along with BFAR, appealed the court’s decision, emphasizing the critical importance of protecting fish stocks and the livelihoods of small-scale fishers.
Additionally, a recent petition for certiorari filed with the Supreme Court en banc on April 24, 2025, seeks to overturn the lower court’s judgment. Specifically, the petition challenges a December 2023 decision by the Malabon Regional Trial Court that invalidated key provisions of the Fisheries Code. The petitioners, including Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David and Oceana, argue that the RTC ruling threatens the rights of small-scale fishers and the health of the marine ecosystem. (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
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