We, the representatives from Mindanao Fisherfolk Network, express our profound concern and firm opposition to the Supreme Court decision issued on December 11, 2023, permitting commercial fishing within municipal waters. This ruling compromises the rights and livelihoods of small-scale fisherfolks and threatens the sustainability of our marine ecosystems.
We are deeply concerned about the worsening erosion of local livelihoods, as the entry of commercial fishing operations into municipal waters intensifies competition and drastically reduces the catch available to small-scale fishers. For many families who depend on daily fishing for their food and income, this intrusion threatens their very survival. Adding to this crisis is the alarming ecological degradation caused by the unsustainable practices of large-scale fishers — overfishing, habitat destruction, and the loss of marine biodiversity, which the court’s decision dangerously overlooks. By allowing commercial operations in municipal waters, the preferential rights of small fisherfolk, as guaranteed under the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 – Republic Act No. 8550, later amended by Republic Act No. 10654 in 2015. are blatantly violated, undermining the hard-earned protections for marginalized communities. Ultimately, the depletion of marine resources not only deepens the vulnerability of fisherfolk but also jeopardizes food security, raises seafood prices, and erodes long-standing cultural practices, threatening the entire community’s well-being.
We urge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to show genuine commitment to the welfare small fisherfolk in particular and the Filipino people in general by immediately issuing an executive order reinstating the ban on commercial fishing in municipal waters. We also demand that the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources take swift and decisive action to uphold the integrity of the Fisheries Code, protect our marine ecosystems, and support the more than two million fisherfolk and their families who depend on these waters for their livelihood.
Beyond immediate policy interventions, we advocate for the following strategic actions:
Genuine Political Representation: Establish or align with a credible party-list that authentically represents the voices and struggles of fisherfolk, ensuring their concerns are addressed in legislative processes. Ensure that members of the Fisheries Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC) are coming from genuine fisherfolk organizations.
Community Education: Implement educational initiatives to raise awareness about the exploitation of public trust for political gain and promote genuine environmental protection, empowering communities to make informed decisions.
Eco-centric Advocacy: Campaign for policies and leaders that prioritize ecological sustainability, recognizing the inherent value of our natural resource and the stewardship role of human beings.
Ethical Stewardship: Embrace and promote the understanding that humanity holds a sacred responsibility to care for Creation. The continued exploitation of marine resources for profit dishonors this trust. It is humanity’s duty to protect the seas, not only for us but for future generations.
This is not merely a legal or policy issue; it is a matter of justice and existential question for the most vulnerable sectors of our nation. We, together with the People’s organizations and civil society in Mindanao, and allied fisherfolk federations comprising the Mindanao Fisherfolk Network (Mindanao FishNet), demand accountability and decisive action to rectify this unjust decision.
Signed by the delegates and representatives of Fisherfolks in its founding conference last April 27 to 29, 2025
Comments
Post a Comment