SC ruling threatens small-scale fishing in Negros Occidental

A recent Supreme Court ruling in late December 2024 threatens the livelihoods of hundreds of small-scale fishing associations in Negros Occidental by removing their 15-kilometer municipal water boundary.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson warned that the decision could impact over 45,000 marginalized fishing communities and expose two million small-scale fishers nationwide to competition from large commercial fleets.

Local officials expressed concern over potential harm to marine biodiversity and years of sustainable fisheries efforts, with the provincial government standing in solidarity with small-scale fishermen.

EB Magalona town Mayor Marvin Malacon lamented the impact on small-scale fishers in his town's coastal villages, particularly Tomongtong, known as the 'blue crab capital' of Negros Occidental.

Tomongtong, a village with fewer than a thousand residents, is a major producer of blue crabs and hosts two crab-picking stations that process catches for export to Cebu, the United States, and Europe.

The local government plans to seek alternative livelihood programs for affected fishers while acknowledging the challenge of ensuring sustainable practices.