Small-scale fishers haul a communal net along a Philippine shoreline. A recent fisheries assessment documents a sustained decline in national capture fishery production over the past decade, underscoring mounting pressure on coastal livelihoods and food supply. Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
MANILA — The Philippines’ capture fisheries sector has recorded a prolonged decline over the past decade, losing an estimated 45 million kilograms of fish annually, according to a 2026 assessment by marine scientists reviewing national production and enforcement data.
The study, commissioned by Oceana Philippines and prepared by researchers from the University of the Philippines Visayas, found that capture fishery output dropped from approximately 2.6 million metric tons in 2010 to about 1.9 million metric tons in 2023. The decrease represents an average annual loss of roughly 45,000 metric tons, or 45 million kilos, over a 13-year period.
The assessment reviewed the implementation of Republic Act No. 10654, the amended Philippine Fisheries Code intended to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and align domestic policy with international conservation standards. While the law strengthened penalties and monitoring requirements, researchers concluded that uneven enforcement and governance gaps have limited its effectiveness in restoring depleted fish stocks.
Government stock assessment data cited in the report indicate that a large majority of assessed fish stocks were already classified as overfished or depleted, underscoring the scale of recovery needed to stabilize the sector.
The decline carries socioeconomic implications. Fish remains a major source of protein for Filipino households, particularly in coastal communities. The report estimates that hundreds of thousands of small-scale fisherfolk families continue to live below the national poverty line, with low incomes contributing to younger workers leaving the industry.
Regulatory agencies, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources under the Department of Agriculture, have acknowledged capacity and enforcement challenges while outlining modernization and management programs aimed at improving monitoring and sustainability.
