Illegal Fishing Surges in Philippine Municipal Waters

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

Illegal commercial fishing activities in Philippine municipal waters increased by 9.6% from 2022 to 2024, despite 90% of vessels now having mandatory tracking devices installed.

Municipal waters, which extend 15 kilometers from the coastline, are legally reserved for small-scale fisherfolk and are off-limits to commercial fishing vessels under the Philippine Fisheries Code.

The number of apparent commercial fishing vessels detected inside municipal waters rose from 26,295 in 2022 to 28,822 as of November 2024, according to data from Karagatan Patrol, an online monitoring platform.

In a forum last week, Oceana and partners from public and civil society sectors are demanding DA-BFAR release crucial vessel tracking data to help law enforcement agencies monitor, trace, and apprehend violators of the Fisheries Code.

“The problem isn’t the law, but its implementation,” said Danny Ocampo, Senior Campaign Manager of Oceana Philippines. “Nearly a decade after the amended Fisheries Code was enacted, we’re still seeing commercial fishing vessels intruding into municipal waters designated for small-scale fishers.”

In July 2024, Oceana formally requested BFAR to provide the status of vessel monitoring measures implementation and a list of vessels that violated fisheries laws, but the agency refused to release violation records despite confirming 90% transponder installation compliance.

“The tracking devices or vessel monitoring measures required for all commercial fishing vessels under Fisheries Administrative Order no. 266 issued in 2020 pursuant to RA 10654 are important and essential tools for BFAR, park superintendents and other law enforcement agencies including coastal cities and municipalities to address persistent violations by commercial fishing vessels in municipal waters,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Oceana Vice President.

“There’s no honor in being just a storehouse of data,” Ramos emphasized. “BFAR must share this information as mandated by law, particularly under FAO 266, to enable proper enforcement and protection of our municipal waters.”

Local officials also voiced their challenges. Gina Barquilla, representing Del Carmen, Siargao Island, said illegal commercial fishing vessels are spotted weekly in their waters, but limited resources make enforcement difficult.

The Hingoog Bay Alliance (HBA), a coalition of five municipalities, showcased how local cooperation has helped deter violations.

HBA Executive Director Genevieve Nunag noted that access to BFAR’s data could significantly boost their efforts.

Pablo Rosales, President of PANGISDA Pilipinas, criticized the government’s failure to protect small-scale fishers’ livelihoods while commercial vessel operators continue to violate regulations with impunity.

Ramos said the failure of the BFAR to be transparent drove these concerned groups and citizens to initiate these steps to hasten needed reforms in fisheries and ocean governance.

“Rules are in place for BFAR to fully implement transparency of information to improve compliance and knowledge for sustainable fisheries management. Yet, its adamant refusal to share locational information of commercial fishing vessels to our enforcers is against the clear mandate under these rules. How can enforcers and citizens hold violators to account when the information necessary to do so is locked in secrecy? What will it take for the government to act and hear the cry for help of our fisherfolk and their families?” Ramos added.

The Philippine National Police Maritime Group noted that commercial fishing operators have developed sophisticated counter-surveillance measures, complicating enforcement efforts.

Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu-Laurel recently identified climate change, overfishing, resource depletion, and illegal fishing as major threats to the Philippine tuna fishing industry.

Marine protection advocates are now calling on Secretary Tiu-Laurel to investigate and compel BFAR to release the vessel monitoring data to effectively enforce laws addressing illegal fishing and resource depletion.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines is establishing a fund to support environmental cases, while the Department of Justice has begun assisting citizens in investigating fisheries law violations.

The situation particularly affects artisanal fisherfolk, who are among the country’s most food-insecure populations, according to Oceana.

Karagatan Patrol, launched in 2019 by Oceana and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, uses Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) technology to detect night-time fishing activities in municipal waters.

Despite the 2015 amendments to the Fisheries Code strengthening regulations, enforcement remains a significant challenge due to limited resources and coordination among agencies.