Small-Scale Fishers Rally Against Supreme Court Ruling Favoring Commercial Fishing Operators

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The battle for the country’s municipal waters has reached the steps of the Supreme Court. 300 municipal fishers, united under the Katipunan ng mga Kilusan ng mga Artisanong Mangingisda sa Pilipinas (KKAMPi), alongside environmental advocates from the NGOs for Fisheries Reform (NFR), gathered in Manila to file a petition against the controversial Mercidar RTC Malabon ruling. This decision has effectively paved the way for commercial fishing vessels to encroach on municipal fishing waters, a move that threatens the livelihoods of small-scale fisherfolk and imperils the nation’s already fragile marine ecosystems.

A Fight for Livelihood and Legacy

At the forefront of the legal battle are four small-scale fishers representing the interests of countless others:

Justino “Ka Tino” Dacillo, a veteran fisher from Polillo, Quezon, and Chair of the Lamon Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council.

Roberto Ballon, a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee from Sibugay, Zamboanga, credited with revitalizing their community’s fishing industry.

Jessie delos Reyes, a BFAR-certified Fish Examiner and active member of Calatagan Bantay Dagat in Batangas.

Erlinda Ferrer, a fisher and mother of three from Cavite City.

They argue that allowing large-scale commercial fishing operations in municipal waters—areas traditionally reserved for small-scale fishers—would obliterate local economies, further deplete already overfished resources, and intensify the struggles of communities already grappling with climate change.

“Magkakagulo ang pangisdaan sa Pilipinas kung papayagan ang malalaking mangingisda na pumasok sa tinatawag na municipal waters ng Pilipinas (The fisheries sector of the country will be in turmoil if large fishing operators are allowed to enter municipal waters),” said Ka Tino, voicing the collective fears of municipal fishers nationwide.

The Numbers Speak

The petition highlights stark disparities in fishing capabilities:

A commercial vessel using purse seine nets can haul in 3,055 kilograms of fish per hour.

In contrast, small-scale fishers using hook and line manage a mere 0.49 kilograms per hour.

This inequity is amplified by the fact that a single day’s harvest by a commercial vessel equals the combined output of 1,500 municipal fishers.

The petitioners argue that the ruling not only devastates livelihoods but also accelerates the depletion of marine resources. Overfishing, compounded by climate change, has already strained the nation’s fisheries. Allowing industrial-scale operations in municipal waters could push ecosystems to the brink.

A Decision with Nationwide Consequences

“Sa kanilang desisyon, pinatay ng Korte Suprema ang karapatan, kabuhayan at kinabukasan ng maliliit na mangingisda sa Pilipinas (With their decision, the Supreme Court has extinguished the rights, livelihood, and future of all small fisherfolk in the Philippines),” lamented Roberto Ballon, who is also vying for a Senate seat in the upcoming May 2025 elections.

The stakes of this legal battle extend far beyond the fishing communities. Municipal waters, defined as areas within 15 kilometers from the shore, are vital breeding grounds for marine life. The intrusion of commercial fishing operations not only risks overexploitation but also disrupts the delicate balance required for sustainable fishing practices.

A Unified Front

The petition is supported by a coalition of fisherfolk organizations and environmental groups, including KKAMPi, the National Union of Rural-Based Organizations (PKSK), and the NGOs for Fisheries Reform. These groups have long championed the rights of small-scale fishers and the protection of marine biodiversity.

Among the petition’s backers are:

Philippine Alliance of Tuna Handliners for Sustainability (PATHS)

Tanon Strait Fisherfolks Alliance

Visayan Sea Fisherfolks Alliance

BALAOD Mindanaw

Tambuyog Development Center

These organizations emphasize that the ruling undermines the 1998 Fisheries Code, which was designed to protect municipal waters for the exclusive use of small-scale fishers.

A Call to Action

As the Supreme Court deliberates on the petition, the rallying cry of the municipal fishers echoes across the nation. They demand justice not only for their livelihoods but also for future generations who depend on the sustainability of the country’s marine resources.

The case serves as a reminder that the fight for environmental justice is inseparable from the struggle for social equity. In defending the rights of small-scale fishers, these petitioners are also safeguarding the nation’s food security, economic resilience, and ecological future.