Help fishermen find alternative livelihood amid declining fish catch

The Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) had imposed as early as 2011 a three-month closed season or fishing ban during the period November or December to February or March in critical areas, particularly spawning grounds.

The news “Galunggong price drop expected this month – BFAR” (Inquirer.net, 2/5/24) is a welcome relief for those who have less in life. The fish price drop is in anticipation of the start of open fishing season. Historically, the combined marine fish catch during the second and third quarters is 12 percent higher than that of the first and fourth quarters. Hopefully, said price drop will continue until September.

Over the years, the marine capture fisheries have been in crisis. This is based on the catch data culled from the Philippine Statistics Authority and BFAR annual Philippine Fisheries Profile and situation reports as well as the 2023 quarterly reports which are analyzed as follows:

1. In 2010, the catch peaked at 2.426 million metric tons; by 2022, it declined to 1.815 million metric tons. The drop by more than 0.6 million metric tons valued at P39 billion (2021 prices) is the subject of my contention that the “Development plan fails to address the long-term neglect of fisheries sector” (Letters, 12/20/23).
2. In 2022, the top 15 fish species (mostly pelagic) had a combined catch of 1.282 million metric tons which declined to 1.220 million metric tons in 2023 or a drop of 0.06 million metric tons valued at P3.8 billion (2021 prices). For the top six pelagic fish, namely: bali sardine (tamban), skipjack (gulyasan), round scad (galunggong), yellowfin tuna (tambakol), frigate tuna (tulingan), and Indian mackerel (alumahan), the combined catch was 0.924 million metric tons in 2022; it declined to 0.885 million metric tons in 2023 or a drop of 0.039 million metric tons valued at P2.5 billion (2021 prices).

Given the continuing decline in marine fish catch, there is an urgent need for the government, particularly the DA-BFAR, to find ways and means to finance the implementation of management measures such as the reduction in fishing vessels coupled with the provision of technical and financial assistance for those who will engage in alternative livelihood. Based on the experience of neighboring countries, this is the only effective approach in rebuilding the fish stock vis-à-vis increasing fish catch gradually toward the level of the maximum sustainable yield.

Edmundo Enderez,

[email protected]