Smallscale fisherfolk of Dagupan City, Pangasinan gathered in a consultation on May 11 to voice their opposition to commercial fishing in the country’s 15-kilometer municipal waters. The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya, or National Strength of the Fisherfolk Movement in the Philippines) led the consultation. Pamalakaya vice chairperson Ronnel Arambulo attended the activity.

The fisherfolk declared that they must resist the exploitation of traditional fishing grounds by commercial fishing vessels.

“Big businesses, in collusion with lawmakers, are aggressively targeting the already meager fishing grounds of small fisherfolk,” Arambulo said. He cited deeply alarming reports of the increasing number of large fishing vessels in municipal waters since the Supreme Court released its decision in 2024.

The court released a decision in December 2024 allowing large companies and businesses to fish in municipal waters. Fisherfolk have long opposed this for its damage to the livelihood of around two million fisherfolk.

Pamalakaya stated that even before the court’s decision, Lingayen Gulf was already teeming with commercial fishing, including trawlers and Danish seine (hulbot-hulbot) vessels. The gulf is the primary fishing ground surrounding Pangasinan and La Union.

“The proliferation of commercial fishing in municipal waters will further shrink small fisherfolk’s income. These will also rapidly destroy fishing grounds because of their unregulated operations and commonly destructive equipment,” Arambulo said.

The group said it will urge a dialogue with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 1 to present the grievances of small fisherfolk in the province. Data from Dagupan City show that at least 11,000 people depend on fishing, aquaculture, and post-harvest production.