Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is severely impacting Philippine marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of small-scale fishers, experts said at a recent symposium.
Weak enforcement and low registration rates among subsistence fishers are fueling the problem, undermining sustainability and intensifying competition for dwindling fish stocks, they said. These challenges exacerbate social and economic inequalities in coastal communities.
The concerns were raised at a symposium titled “Shaping APEC’s Blue Economy Agenda: Philippine Leadership and Visayas-Centric Innovations,” hosted by the Philippine APEC Study Center Network of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies and the University of San Carlos.
Dr. Rosalie Arcala-Hall, executive director of the University of the Philippines Visayas Center for Integrative and Development Studies, noted the impact of illegal fishing on sardine stocks in Iloilo.
She said competition between small-scale commercial and subsistence fishers in municipal waters is depleting marine resources, a process known as “fishing down” where fishermen target younger, smaller fish. Illegal practices like blast fishing and the use of fine mesh nets are compounding the problem.
Arcala-Hall identified weak enforcement as a key obstacle. While agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Police and Bantay Dagat work to regulate fishing, limited resources and the country’s vast marine domain hinder their efforts.
She said many subsistence fishers do not register their operations, making monitoring difficult.
“Many of the subsistence or municipal fishers actually [do] not register. Only a few of them do,” Arcala-Hall said.
Illegal fishing also deepens social inequalities, she said, highlighting gender disparities within the industry. While men are primarily responsible for fishing, women are essential to processing and retail, often working in informal arrangements that leave them financially disadvantaged.
Many fishers rely on informal credit, limiting their ability to negotiate fair prices.
Arcala-Hall proposed solutions that balance enforcement and empowerment, including strengthening vessel registration, enhancing enforcement, and incorporating regulatory compliance into company permits.
“I think the pathway really is to help small scale fishers to transition from subsistence to commercial fishing in order to realize higher values,” she said.
She cited the need to engage communities to ensure the use of legal fishing gear and sustainable practices and called for better support for women in fish processing and stronger social protections for young male fishermen.
“We must make sure that we effect community buy-in on sustainable practices and gears,” she said.
Arcala-Hall said tackling illegal fishing requires a united effort from policymakers, communities, and stakeholders to foster equitable and sustainable fisheries management.