Fisherfolk and civil society groups filed a petition on Thursday challenging the Supreme Court’s (SC) ruling declaring the 15-kilometer municipal water zone unconstitutional.

The zone, legally reserved for small-scale fisherfolk, has been opened by the SC decision to commercial fishing corporations, prompting concerns from affected groups.

The petitioners argued that the decision harms the 87 million Filipinos who rely on pelagic fish for food.

“Our fisheries are in crisis due to overfishing and illegal practices,” said Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana.

“To protect marine ecosystems and artisanal fisherfolk, we must enforce the law and stand firm against exploitation,” she said.

Joining Oceana as petitioners are the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, municipal officials from Cebu and Albay, and fisherfolk leaders from various regions.

Norlan Pagal, president of the Anapog Fishing Association in Cebu, expressed the struggles of local fishers. “These commercial corporations can venture far into the ocean; we cannot compete,” he said.

For decades, the Fisheries Code reserved the municipal waters for small-scale fishers, providing vital support to marginalized communities.

The weak enforcement of fishing bans, now compounded by the court’s ruling, threatens their way of life, the groups said.