The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Office of the Solicitor General, has filed a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court to reverse a controversial ruling that allows commercial fishing vessels to access municipal waters, traditionally reserved for small-scale fishers under the Fisheries Code. The move comes as the DA warns that the decision could have serious legal and environmental consequences for the fishing industry.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. raised concerns about the ruling’s potential effects during a meeting with key agricultural and environmental groups, including the Federation of Free Farmers, Oceana Philippines, Magsasaka Partylist, the National Anti-Poverty Commission, and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice. Tiu Laurel, drawing from his experience in the fishing sector, emphasized that the Supreme Court’s decision could threaten the livelihood of small-scale fishers and lead to further depletion of marine resources.
The ruling, which upheld a Malabon Regional Trial Court decision, declared the Fisheries Code’s preferential access provisions unconstitutional. This was in response to a petition filed by Mercidar Fishing Corp., challenging the law’s restrictions on commercial vessels in municipal waters. Under the new decision, commercial fishing vessels could now operate in up to 90% of the country’s coastal waters, previously reserved for small-scale fishermen, raising alarm over its long-term impact on marine ecosystems.
Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, warned that the ruling could significantly damage the nation’s fisheries. She pointed out that the decision undermines efforts to regulate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by making systems such as Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) largely irrelevant, as commercial vessels will be able to fish freely in most coastal areas.
Tiu Laurel also highlighted the DA’s ongoing efforts to support small fishers through sustainable initiatives such as solar-powered ice plants and fish processing facilities. He underscored the need for responsible fishing practices, including the standardization of net sizes, to prevent overfishing.
The DA has called for a reconsideration of the ruling, stressing the legal and environmental implications on both the fishing industry and the country’s marine ecosystems. The department reaffirmed its commitment to protecting small-scale fishers and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Philippines’ fisheries and coastal communities.
