The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Office of the Solicitor General, has filed a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court to overturn a decision allowing commercial fishing vessels access to municipal waters, previously reserved for small-scale fishers under the Fisheries Code.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. made the disclosure during a meeting with various organizations, including the Federation of Free Farmers, Oceana Philippines, Magsasaka Partylist, the National Anti-Poverty Commission, and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, to discuss the ruling’s implications.
Drawing from his extensive fishing industry experience, Sec. Tiu Laurel expressed concerns about the decision’s potential adverse effects on the livelihood of small fishers and its impact on marine ecosystems. “At a depth of 7 fathoms, or 12 meters, corals are at risk, and our scarce marine resources could face further depletion,” he said.
The Supreme Court’s First Division had earlier upheld a Malabon Regional Trial Court decision declaring the Fisheries Code’s preferential access provisions unconstitutional, following a petition filed by Mercidar Fishing Corp.
Oceana Philippines Vice President Gloria Estenzo-Ramos warned that the ruling could devastate marine resources. She noted that commercial vessels would be allowed to fish in nearly 90% of coastal waters, threatening marine ecosystems. “Tracking devices, such as the Vessel Monitoring System, would become irrelevant,” she said, referring to the system designed to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Sec. Tiu Laurel cited the DA’s efforts to support small fishers through initiatives such as providing solar-powered ice plants and fish processing facilities. He also stressed the importance of sustainable fishing practices, including standardizing net sizes to prevent overfishing.
The DA reiterated its commitment to protecting the interests of small-scale fishers while conserving marine resources, urging the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling to ensure the sustainability of the country’s fisheries and coastal communities. ###
