Fishermen warn of losing grounds after SC ruling

A group of local fishermen expressed concerns that the Supreme Court’s ruling on commercial fishing could result in the loss of the majority of their fishing grounds.

In a statement, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) shared that the latest high court ruling poses a danger to the food security of small communities.

“This means that only a smaller portion of municipal waters will remain accessible to local fishermen, threatening both their livelihoods and local production,” the group’s statement reads.

They also added that they are worried about the hazardous fishing methods of commercial fishing vessels, which will further affect the current supply of seafood.

“Usually, their fishing styles involves trawl and super lights that’s why aside from the danger it will cause in the fishermen’s livelihood, it will also danger the marine resources in municipal waters,” Pamalakaya vice chair Ronnel Arambulo said.

With the high court’s backing on the ruling of the Malabon City Regional Trial Court, up to two million fishermen nationwide might be affected.

The fishermen’s group expressed concern, particularly regarding the ability of commercial vessels to trawl municipal waters and deplete marine resources in a much shorter time.

Last Thursday, Oceana, a nonprofit ocean conservation filed a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Supreme Court’s First Division opening the 15-kilometer municipal water to commercial fishing.