The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing commercial fishing vessels within the 15-kilometer municipal waters threatens livelihoods, marine biodiversity, and decades of efforts in sustainable fisheries management, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Friday, Feb. 21.
“It is a serious concern for our local government, fisherfolk, and coastal communities”, Lacson said in a statement titled “Upholding preferential rights for small-scale fishers”.
“We call on all stakeholders – government agencies, academe, civil society, and the public – to stand with us in safeguarding the welfare of our artisanal fishers and ensuring the sustainability of our coastal and marine ecosystems”, Lacson said.
“Let us work together to uphold policies that protect our fisheries and secure the future of our coastal communities” he said.
On Dec. 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued a decision that removed the 15-kilometer municipal water demarcation, which had prioritized municipal fisherfolk and regulated commercial fishing operations within those waters, Lacson said.
“We reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rights of our municipal fisherfolk by advocating for the continued preferential access of small-scale fishers to the 15-kilometer municipal waters,” the governor said.
These waters are vital for the livelihoods of more than 45,000 marginalized fishing communities with 472 fisherfolk associations in the 25 coastal cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental covering 187 barangays, ensuring food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fisheries management. he said.
“The Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, together with our coastal local government units and partner organizations, stands in solidarity with the more than 2 million small-scale fishers their invaluable role in marine conservation and local economies and oppose any measures threatening their access to these critical fishing grounds,” Lacson said.
“Since the establishment of our Integrated Coastal Resource Management Programs, we have witnessed firsthand the resilience of our fisherfolk in the face of environmental and socioeconomic challenges”, Lacson added.
Through continuous education, livelihood support, and conservation initiatives, we have empowered local fishing communities to transition into responsible stewards of our marine ecosystems, he said.
However, small-scale fishers remain among the most vulnerable sectors in the country, facing threats such as climate change, illegal fishing, and limited economic opportunities, he said.
“ As these challenges persist, we must uphold their preferential rights to municipal waters, allowing them to sustain their livelihoods while contributing to the nation’s food security”, Lacson said.*