Iloilo appeals the SC decision on commercial fishing in the city’s waters

The Provincial Government of Iloilo has presented a motion so that the permission of the Court can intervene in the motion of reconsideration presented by the Office of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). The petition seeks a review of a decision of the Supreme Court (SC) on commercial fishing within municipal waters.

The provincial government presented the motion on February 21, 2025.

The recent decision of the SC’s First Division that allows commercial fishing to operate within the 15 -kilometer municipal water zone has worried small -scale fishermen and their families.

The municipality of Oton, one of the coastal cities of the province that opposed the decision, said that commercial fishing within municipal waters is detrimental to both fishermen and the fish population.

It was pointed out that commercial fishing is expected to lead to the decrease in the capture of marginal fishermen, and can decimate small fish.

A large part of the population in Barangay Population South in Oton, for example, depends largely on fishing as a source of income.

Marginal fishermen in coastal cities could only expect the Supreme Court to listen to them and help protect their livelihoods.

The coastal cities that presented their position documents are Oton, Ajuy, Anilao, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Conception, Dormangas, San Dionisio, San Joaquín, Guimbal, Miagao, Tigbauan and stay.