Equity for Iloilo’s artisanal fishermen

THE SUPREME Court ruling allowing commercial fishing vessels to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal water zone has ignited a fierce debate — not only over marine resource sustainability but also over the fundamental principles of social justice. In Iloilo, where thousands of small-scale fisherfolk depend on these waters for survival, this decision has been met with growing opposition. The provincial government, coastal local government units (LGUs), and fisherfolk organizations have raised their voices, calling it a grave injustice against artisanal fishermen.

Beyond regulating access to marine resources, fisheries management is, at its core, ensuring fairness in their distribution and use. When large commercial vessels, equipped with advanced technology and high-efficiency fishing gear, are allowed to operate in municipal waters, they inevitably push small-scale fishermen to the margins. These artisanal fishermen, who use traditional and sustainable methods, find themselves competing against industrial-scale operations that deplete fish stocks at alarming rates.

Iloilo’s coastal communities have long relied on municipal waters for their livelihood. Their daily catch not only feeds their families but also supports local markets and economies. Allowing commercial fishing in these areas upsets the delicate balance, threatening food security, economic stability, and the very existence of small-scale fishing as a viable profession. The Supreme Court ruling, rather than promoting fair resource management, shifts the advantage overwhelmingly to commercial interests, undermining the principles of equity that should guide national policy.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgrO) have taken a firm stand against the decision, emphasizing that it contradicts the social justice principles that Iloilo upholds. As Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias pointed out, this ruling does not merely affect fisheries management; it erodes the autonomy of local government units and disregards the rights of the very people who have safeguarded Iloilo’s marine resources for generations.

Social justice in fisheries management requires policies that prioritize the welfare of marginalized communities over profit-driven enterprises. It means upholding the legal protection of municipal waters as reserved for small-scale fishing, ensuring that artisanal fishermen are not displaced by corporate interests. It means recognizing the ecological importance of sustainable fishing practices and rejecting decisions that threaten the long-term viability of marine ecosystems.

If we allow commercial fishing to encroach upon municipal waters, we are not only jeopardizing Iloilo’s fisheries sector but also deepening social inequality. The fisherfolk of Iloilo deserve more than just sympathy; they deserve policies that defend their right to a fair livelihood. The provincial government’s efforts to consolidate opposition papers and seek reconsideration of the ruling must be supported at all levels — by local leaders, fisherfolk associations, environmental organizations, and concerned citizens.

Iloilo has long been a province that champions social justice, and this fight is no different.

The question we must ask is: Do we prioritize economic power, or do we stand by the people who have built their lives around these waters?

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