Fisheries forum urges protection of 15-km municipal waters

By Juliane Judilla

Hundreds of fisherfolk, students, fisheries professionals, and advocates gathered at the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, to mark World Fisheries Day on Nov. 21.

The event, organized as a fisheries forum, was led by the newly launched Aton Ang Kinse Alliance and focused on the implications of a Supreme Court ruling that allows commercial fishing vessels to operate in municipal waters.

Participants also expressed concern over what they described as inadequate government support for small-scale fishers and the ongoing closed fishing season in the Visayan Sea, which began on Nov. 15 and will last until February 2026.

Aton Ang Kinse lead convenor and YouProtec coordinator Nathaniel Baga-ut discussed the current situation of the municipal fisheries subsector, which he described as “the most marginalized.”

“Our municipal waters are a matter of food, livelihood, shelter, and life itself,” Baga-ut said in Hiligaynon.

He asked fisheries students what they would study “when there are no fish left to catch or see.”

Kabataan Partylist Panay secretary-general Arlie Bosque outlined key provisions of House Bill 5606, or the Atin Ang Kinse bill, filed by Kabataan Partylist in the House of Representatives.

Bosque said the measure seeks to challenge the Supreme Court’s Mercidar ruling, which is expected to increase commercial fishing activity within municipal waters.

National Union of People’s Lawyers and University of the Philippines Visayas lawyer Clyde Gacayan presented findings from his public policy research on how local governments have responded to the ruling.

He said political interests play a significant role in shaping government action but noted rising public resistance as a hopeful sign, especially as the Supreme Court is expected to issue an en banc ruling on the 15-kilometer municipal water provision.

The Supreme Court ruling allows commercial fishing operations within coastal local government jurisdictions.

It permits commercial vessels to operate in waters deeper than 7.3 fathoms, or 42 feet.

Nearly 90 percent of municipal waters fall within this depth range.