Report on the Philippine Fisheries Crisis and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

A July 2025 report from the international ocean advocacy group Oceana indicates that the Philippine fisheries sector is in a state of severe crisis. The report highlights that chronic overfishing and widespread illegal commercial fishing have depleted key fish stocks to historic lows, presenting a direct challenge to the nation’s ability to meet several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to poverty, hunger, and marine conservation.

Critical Declines in Fish Stocks: A Threat to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty)

The collapse in fish populations poses a significant threat to national food security and the economic stability of coastal communities, directly undermining progress towards SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Production Data Analysis

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reveals a critical downward trend:

• Municipal fisheries production fell to 802,770 metric tons in 2024, an 8.8% decline from the previous year and the lowest output recorded since 2002.
• This represents an annual loss of over 77 million kilograms of fish.
• Overall fisheries production, including commercial and aquaculture, declined by 5% in 2024, continuing a long-term negative trajectory.

Impact on Key Species and Food Security

The decline is most pronounced among staple species essential for the diet of millions of Filipinos, raising alarms for food security targets under SDG 2.

• Bali sardinella (tamban): Production fell from over 334,000 MT in 2010 to approximately 253,000 MT in 2024.
• Frigate tuna (tulingan): Production has decreased by 62% since its 2004 peak.
• Yellowfin tuna (tambakol/bariles): Stocks have declined by 46% since 2008.
• Round scad (galunggong): Catches have fallen by 46% since 2007.

Livelihood and Economic Impact

The crisis disproportionately affects the country’s poorest populations, directly impacting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The average daily catch for a municipal fisher has decreased from five kilograms in 2010 to just four kilograms in 2023, severely diminishing livelihoods and economic stability in coastal regions.

Unsustainable Practices Driving Ecosystem Collapse: A Challenge to SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

The report identifies illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as a primary driver of the crisis, directly contravening the objectives of SDG 14 (Life Below Water), which calls for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

Illegal Commercial Fishing in Municipal Waters

Data from the Karagatan Patrol satellite monitoring system reveals a persistent and worsening encroachment of commercial fishing vessels into the 15-kilometer municipal waters reserved for small-scale fishers.

• Detections of suspected illegal commercial fishing increased by 9% from 2022 to 2023.
• A further 10.5% increase was recorded in 2024, with 31,843 detections.
• The trend has continued to accelerate in 2025.

Areas consistently identified as hotspots for these illegal activities include Zamboanga City, Cuyo (Palawan), San Pascual (Masbate), Tongkil (Sulu), and Carles (Iloilo), among others.

Governance and Enforcement Gaps: An Obstacle to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

Systemic failures in governance and enforcement are significant barriers to resolving the crisis, highlighting challenges related to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Policy Implementation Setbacks

The nationwide implementation of Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 266, which mandates the use of vessel monitoring technology on commercial fishing vessels, has been hampered by legal disputes and compliance issues. This failure to enforce accountability mechanisms weakens the rule of law and undermines sustainable management efforts.

Deficiencies in Local Enforcement

Local enforcement agencies are reportedly ill-equipped to deter illegal fishing effectively. This institutional weakness underscores the need to build strong, capable, and transparent institutions at all levels to manage marine resources and ensure equitable access, as mandated by SDG 16.

Recommendations for Achieving Sustainable Fisheries Management

Addressing the fisheries crisis requires a multi-pronged approach focused on strengthening governance, enforcing existing laws, and aligning national policy with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Proposed Actions

1. Ensure the full and immediate implementation of vessel monitoring measures as required by FAO 266 to enhance transparency and accountability.
2. Strengthen enforcement of laws that protect the 15-kilometer municipal waters from commercial exploitation.
3. Improve transparency across the entire fishing industry to combat IUU fishing.
4. Enhance local governance and build the capacity of coastal communities to co-manage marine resources effectively.
5. Implement science-based reforms and policies to protect and restore depleted fish stocks.

Conclusion: Aligning with the 2030 Agenda

The ongoing fisheries crisis is a critical developmental issue. The national goal of achieving 100% food-fish sufficiency by 2028 will remain unattainable without decisive action. Safeguarding municipal waters and reforming the fisheries sector are essential for environmental sustainability and for achieving key targets under SDGs 1, 2, 8, 14, and 16, ensuring the prosperity and well-being of millions of Filipinos.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water – This is the most central SDG, as the article’s main focus is the crisis in the Philippine fisheries sector, including overfishing, declining fish stocks, and illegal fishing practices that threaten marine ecosystems.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The article explicitly links the fisheries crisis to “national food security,” warning that dwindling fish stocks threaten the food supply for millions of Filipinos.
• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights the economic impact on coastal communities, stating that “fishing communities, already among the country’s poorest, now face emptier seas and shrinking livelihoods.”
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article discusses “gaps in enforcement and policy,” the challenges in implementing laws like Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 266, and the need for “stronger enforcement” and “transparent institutions” to combat illegal fishing.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.4: “By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible…”
  • Explanation: The article directly addresses this target by describing the “chronic overfishing” and “rampant illegal commercial fishing” that have driven key fish stocks to “historic lows.” It calls for “science-based reforms to fisheries policy and enforcement” to restore these stocks.
• Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts…”
  • Explanation: The article emphasizes the need to “safeguard municipal waters” and protect marine habitats from the encroachment of large commercial fishing vessels. It warns that illegal fishing is a “key driver behind ecosystem collapse.”
• Target 14.b: “Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.”
  • Explanation: The article highlights the conflict between large commercial vessels and small-scale fishers. It notes that municipal waters are “supposed to be reserved exclusively for small-scale and subsistence fishers,” but illegal encroachment is reducing their access to resources and catches.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.1: “By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.”
  • Explanation: The article repeatedly raises alarms about “national food security” and the goal of “food-fish sufficiency.” It quantifies the food loss, stating that the drop in production means “enough to serve every Filipino family more than a dozen fish meals each, gone from the nation’s tables,” directly impacting access to sufficient food.

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.2: “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty…”
  • Explanation: The article connects the fisheries crisis to poverty by stating that fishing communities are “among the country’s poorest” and that the crisis leads to “shrinking livelihoods” and “worsening poverty among municipal fisherfolk.” The decline in the average catch per fisher is a direct cause of reduced income.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.”
  • Explanation: The article points to institutional failures, such as “gaps in enforcement and policy” and setbacks in implementing vessel monitoring technology. It calls for reforms to “include improving transparency in the fishing industry” and enhancing governance, which are central to this target.
• Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.”
  • Explanation: The article discusses the “worsening surge in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing” and the failure to uphold laws that protect municipal waters. The call for “stricter enforcement of existing laws” is a direct appeal to promote the rule of law to protect the rights and livelihoods of small-scale fishers.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 14.4 (Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels): The article provides specific data points that serve as indicators of stock health.
  • Production decline of Bali sardinella (tamban) from over 334,000 MT in 2010 to around 253,000 MT in 2024.
  • 62% drop in Frigate tuna (tulingan) production since 2004.
  • 46% decrease in Yellowfin tuna (tambakol/bariles) since 2008.
  • 46% fall in Round scad (galunggong) since 2007.
• Indicator for Target 14.4 (Combating IUU Fishing): The article provides quantitative data on illegal fishing incidents.
  • The number of “detections of suspected commercial fishing intrusions into municipal waters” recorded by Karagatan Patrol: 26,295 in 2022, 28,822 in 2023, and 31,843 in 2024. This data directly measures the extent of illegal fishing.
• Indicator for Target 2.1 (Access to Food): The article uses fisheries production volume as a proxy indicator for food availability.
  • The decline in municipal fisheries production from 879,960 MT in 2023 to 802,770 MT in 2024.
  • The overall 5% decline in fisheries production in the last year.
• Indicator for Target 1.2 (Poverty/Livelihoods): The article provides a direct measure of the economic well-being of fishers.
  • The decline in “average catch per municipal fisher” from five kilograms per day in 2010 to just four kilograms in 2023. This serves as a direct indicator of shrinking livelihoods.
• Indicator for Target 16.6 (Institutional Effectiveness): The article implies an indicator for institutional performance.
  • The “legal disputes and compliance issues” slowing the nationwide implementation of vessel monitoring technology (FAO 266) can be seen as an indicator of institutional and legal hurdles preventing effective governance.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: asianews.network