21/04/2026
CALL FOR URGENT ACTION AND PROTECTION OF THE 15KM MUNICIPAL WATERS
As of April 19, 2026, data from Karagatan Patrol VIIRS Boat Detection reveals alarming activity—commercial fishing vessels (red dots) operating inside municipal waters. Take note: not all vessels are even detected, meaning the actual situation could be far worse.
The Human Cost:
Behind these violations are 2.5 million fisherfolk and their families struggling to survive.
• 353,190 live below the poverty line
• 93,030 families are food-poor
A study by Oceana warns that the Philippines is losing 45 million kilograms of fish annually. While commercial yields continue to rise, small-scale fishers are being pushed to the brink—forced into an unequal fight for survival.
Why This Matters:
Illegal encroachment within the 15-km municipal waters triggers a dangerous ecological collapse:
🌊 Destruction of Coral Reefs
Heavy fishing gear like trawls and purse seines can destroy centuries-old coral ecosystems in minutes—erasing vital fish habitats.
🐟 Disrupted Nutrient Cycle
Fewer fish means less nutrient recycling, weakening the entire marine food web.
⚠️ Rapid Fish Stock Collapse
Commercial vessels can wipe out entire schools before they reproduce—leading to long-term depletion and loss of livelihood.
The Question Remains:
If this continues… what does survival look like for our fisherfolk?
📣 We call on the government to strictly enforce the Fisheries Code, protect our municipal waters, and hold violators accountable.
Protect the 15KM. Protect our seas. Protect our people. 🌊🇵🇭
