Small-scale fishers are too big to ignore – Philstar.com

Report on the State of Small-Scale Fisheries in the Philippines and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Role of Small-Scale Fisheries in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

An analysis of the small-scale fisheries (SSF) sector in the Philippines, informed by the work of the Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Philippines research network, reveals its critical importance to the nation’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). TBTI Philippines, a consortium of 24 higher education institutions, aims to enhance the visibility and viability of the SSF sector. A key publication, “Portrait of Small-Scale Fishers in the Philippines,” documents the sector’s contributions and challenges, providing a foundation for policy and action aligned with global sustainability targets.

Socioeconomic and Environmental Contributions of Small-Scale Fisheries

Contribution to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

The SSF sector is a cornerstone of the Philippine economy and food system, making substantial contributions to several SDGs.

• Food Security (SDG 2): The catch from 1.6 million small-scale fishers provides the most affordable source of protein for 28.3 million Filipino households, directly supporting national food security targets.
• Economic Contribution (SDG 8): Comprising the largest group in the fishing sector, SSF account for one-fifth of the total national fish catch and employ millions of individuals in processing, trading, and other roles along the fisheries value chain.

Contribution to SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

The operational methods of SSF are inherently more aligned with marine conservation objectives.

• Sustainable Practices: SSF typically operate close to shore using simple, passive gear, resulting in a smaller environmental footprint compared to the country’s 4,800 registered commercial fishing vessels.
• Ecosystem Stewardship: Their practices contribute to the protection of marine life and the health of coastal ecosystems, which is fundamental to achieving SDG 14.

Challenges to Sustainability and Equity in the SSF Sector

Barriers to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Despite their significant contributions, small-scale fishers face systemic challenges that perpetuate poverty and inequality, hindering progress on SDG 1 and SDG 10.

• Economic Vulnerability: Fishers experience low income, limited investment opportunities, and a lack of financial assistance, particularly during closed fishing seasons.
• Persistent Poverty: The SSF sector remains one of the poorest in the country, highlighting a significant inequality between their societal contribution and their economic status.

Threats to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and Livelihood Security

The sustainability of both marine resources and fisher livelihoods is under threat.

• Illegal Fishing: Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing depletes fish stocks, threatening the marine environment and taking away the rightful catch of small-scale fishers.
• Encroachment: The encroachment of commercial fishing operations into municipal waters, the primary fishing grounds for SSF, undermines their legally protected access rights.

Strategic Recommendations for Empowering Small-Scale Fisheries

The Role of Academia in Advancing SDGs 1, 2, 8, and 14

Academic institutions, particularly the University of the Philippines (UP) and other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), are positioned to lead initiatives that support the SSF sector in alignment with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Establish a dedicated Center for Small-Scale Fisheries, ideally at UP Visayas, to spearhead research, co-create technological solutions, and propose evidence-based policies.
2. Integrate SSF studies into academic curricula to build capacity and understanding of the sector’s human and ecological dimensions.
3. Expand public service and extension programs to provide training on sustainable fishing, marine protected area management, and cooperative development.
4. Strengthen the network of SUCs with fisheries programs to share resources and strategically focus expertise on empowering local fishing communities.

The Role of Government in Upholding International and National Commitments

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has a mandate to protect and partner with the SSF sector.

1. Ensure all policies and programs adhere to the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines), a key framework for achieving SDG 14.
2. Uphold the Fisheries Code by defending the preferential access rights of SSF to municipal waters and acting decisively against illegal encroachment.
3. Implement and enhance social protection programs, including disaster assistance, alternative livelihoods, and access to credit, to build resilience and address SDG 1.
4. Guarantee the full and funded implementation of the National Plan of Action for the SSF Guidelines (2024) with support from both national and local government units.

Conclusion: Investing in SSF as an Investment in National Sustainable Development

Investing in the small-scale fisheries sector is a direct investment in the Philippines’ food security, poverty alleviation, and environmental sustainability. The well-being of the nation’s 1.6 million small-scale fishers is intrinsically linked to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Empowering this sector through targeted support from academia, robust government policy, and multi-stakeholder partnerships is essential for building a resilient and equitable nation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article directly addresses poverty by stating that “small-scale fishers remain among the poorest in the country” and are “most food-insecure.” It highlights their “low income” as a primary challenge, linking their livelihood directly to the goal of eradicating poverty.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• This goal is central to the article. It emphasizes that small-scale fishers are crucial for national food security, as their “catch remains the most affordable source of protein for 28.3 million Filipino households.” The concluding statement, “Investing in small-scale fishers means investing in the country’s food security,” reinforces this connection.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article calls for academic institutions like UP Visayas to “integrate small-scale fisheries into its academic curriculum” and expand “public service programs to offer training on sustainable fishing.” This points to the need for specialized education and knowledge dissemination to support the sector.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article discusses the economic conditions of the 1.6 million small-scale fishers, noting their “low income, limited investment and lack of assistance.” It also mentions their role in employing “millions of processors, traders and other workers in the fisheries value chain.” Supporting them contributes to creating decent work and fostering local economic growth.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article highlights a significant inequality: despite their large numbers and substantial contribution to food supply and the economy, small-scale fishers “remain among the poorest.” The call to protect their rights and provide them with proper support aims to reduce this disparity.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• This is a core theme. The article discusses the need to “protect marine life and the coastal ecosystem” and safeguard “municipal waters.” It explicitly mentions the struggle against “illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing” and notes that small-scale fishers have a “smaller environmental footprint,” making their sustainability crucial for marine health.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article calls for stronger governance and institutions. It urges the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries (DA-BFAR) to “defend the rights of small-scale fishers to municipal waters and act against illegal and commercial encroachment.” It also references the need to implement laws like the Fisheries Code and international guidelines, which relates to the rule of law and effective institutions.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article showcases the importance of partnerships through the “Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Philippines, a research and knowledge-sharing network composed of 24 higher education institutions.” It advocates for collective action among the academe, state universities, government agencies (DA-BFAR), and fisher communities to “co-create solutions” and empower local communities.

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

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 in all its dimensions according to national definitions. The article’s focus on the low income and poverty of fishers directly relates to this target.
• Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters. The call for “disaster assistance” and “insurance” for fishers aligns with building their resilience.

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, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article highlights fishers’ role in providing an “affordable source of protein” for millions, which is key to this target.
• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular… fishers. The article’s central argument is to support small-scale fishers to improve their livelihoods and income, directly addressing this target.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. The call to “protect marine life and the coastal ecosystem” and safeguard “municipal waters” is a direct link.
• Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and destructive fishing practices. The article explicitly identifies the struggle against “illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing” as a major challenge.
• Target 14.b: Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets. The article advocates for defending the “preferential access to municipal waters” for small-scale fishers as mandated by the Fisheries Code and providing “access to credit and markets.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. The description of TBTI Philippines as a network of higher education institutions and the call for collaboration between academe, government, and fishers exemplify this target.

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

Poverty and Income Levels among Fishers

• The article’s statements that fishers have “low income” and “remain among the poorest” imply that the income level and poverty rate among small-scale fishers are key indicators for measuring progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Contribution to Food Security

• The fact that their catch is the “most affordable source of protein for 28.3 million Filipino households” suggests that the availability and price of fish for consumers can serve as an indicator of food security (SDG 2).

Prevalence of Illegal Fishing

• The mention of the struggle against “illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing” implies that the number of reported incidents or apprehensions related to IUU fishing is a direct indicator for measuring progress on SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Access to Marine Resources

• The article notes that small-scale fishers account for “one-fifth of the total fish catch.” The proportion of total fish catch by small-scale fishers versus commercial fishers can be an indicator of their access to resources and economic contribution, relevant to SDG 14, Target 14.b.

Implementation of Policies and Programs

• The call for the full implementation of the “National Plan of Action for the SSF Guidelines (2024)” and social protection programs suggests that the status of implementation of these policies and the budget allocated can be used as indicators for SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Educational and Institutional Support

• The proposal for UP Visayas to create a “Center for Small-Scale Fisheries” and integrate the topic into its curriculum implies that the number of research centers, academic courses, and training programs dedicated to small-scale fisheries is a measurable indicator for SDG 4 (Quality Education).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Identified in the Article

Source: philstar.com