Ocean experts bare marine threats, solutions

Marine scientists, economists, anthropologists and lawyers from across the Philippines presented pressing challenges facing the country’s marine ecosystems and coastal communities and corresponding solutions during the Philippine Association of Marine Science (PAMS) Ocean Experts Forum on 11 to 12 November at the AIM Conference Center in Makati City.

The forum, presided by PAMS-19 president Dr. Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit, also examined the state of Philippine coasts from both macro and micro perspectives, and brought together scientific findings and policy recommendations to push for concrete action from the government and local communities.

Mindanao State University marine biologist and environmental scientist Dr. Asuncion de Guzman emphasized that protecting marine resources also means safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of fisherfolk.

Threat to livelihood

One of the key issues raised in the forum was the dispute on the 15-kilometer municipal water boundary between small-scale fisherfolk and commercial fishing operators.

In October 2023, a private corporation petitioned the Malabon Regional Trial Court to invalidate several provisions of the Philippine Fisheries Code prohibiting commercial fishing within municipal waters, citing its questionable delineation. The lower court ruled in its favor because of insufficient scientific basis for the boundary and suggestions that political considerations had influenced its establishment. The Supreme Court affirmed the ruling in August 2024, allowing the corporation to conduct commercial fishing operations in municipal waters beyond seven fathoms.

In response, the Office of the Solicitor General, representing the Department of Agriculture — Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, filed a motion for reconsideration. The case is still pending resolution.

Beyond legal disputes, climate-related threats also put pressure on coastal livelihoods. The effects of El Niño, particularly extreme heat, can affect both the health and income of fishing communities.

Dr. Wilfredo Campos of the University of the Philippines Visayas stressed the need for government assistance that goes beyond immediate relief, including the provision of alternative livelihood opportunities to help affected fisherfolk sustain their income.

Rising sea surface temperatures present another challenge, as warming waters can drive marine species toward deeper, cooler areas. This movement makes some fish more difficult for fisherfolk to locate and catch, further threatening their livelihoods.

Plastic problem

While fishing communities contend with climate and policy challenges, plastic pollution remains another pressing concern for Philippine coastal waters.

A study conducted in Panguil Bay, Mindanao, reveals the recovery of 1,495 microplastic particles from 360 wild edible clams, raising concerns about the potential exposure of people eating such seafood to the chemical pollutant.

Microplastics, which form as larger plastic materials break down into smaller particles, are particularly difficult to remove once dispersed throughout coastal environments.

Although community-led coastal cleanups can help reduce visible plastic waste, experts emphasized that long-term solutions require stronger policies and coordinated waste management efforts.

Dr. Kristina Paler of the University of San Carlos presented policy recommendations to address plastic pollution, including standardized local waste audits, regional recycling infrastructure, equitable alternatives to single-use plastics, and stricter enforcement of existing environmental laws.

The experts also called for the stronger implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates proper waste segregation and management at the community level. This should be complemented by Republic Act 11898, or the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, which holds enterprises accountable for managing and offsetting their plastic packaging waste.

Restoring mangroves

Beyond reducing pollution and protecting fisheries, the forum also highlighted the importance of restoring coastal ecosystems, particularly mangrove forests, in protecting both marine biodiversity and communities living along the shoreline.

Dr. Annadel Salvio Cabanban, country manager of Wetlands International Philippines (WIP), pointed to improper species selection and planting locations as recurring problems in mangrove restoration efforts.

She emphasized that bungalon or piapi (Avicennia marina) and pagatpat (Sonneratia alba) are suitable for planting along seafronts, while bakhaw (Rhizophora species) should not be planted on seagrass beds, seafronts, or tidal flats.

Mangroves serve as an effective nature-based solution against natural hazards, helping protect coastal communities while supporting marine habitats. However, their benefits depend on proper species selection and restoration practices that consider the ecological conditions of each site.