Fisherfolk launched the Pambansang Kumperensya ng Maliliit na Mangingisda (National Conference of Small Fisherfolk) on February 4 to deliver their united opposition to the Supreme Court decision allowing large companies to fish in municipal waters.

Participating organizations include the Pamalakaya, Pangisda and Visayas Sea Fisherfolks Alliance. With them are the Katipunan ng mga Kilusan ng mga Artisanong Mangingisda sa Pilipinas (KKAMPI), Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK), Samahan ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (SAMAMA-AMA), Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka at Mangingisda (PAMANGKA-PAKISAMA), Philippine Alliance of Tuna Handliners for Sustainability (PATHS), Tanon Strait Fisherfolks Alliance, and Visayan Sea Fisherfolk Alliance.

“In a rare opportunity, various groups of small fisherfolk will come together in a unanimous call for the protection of the 15-kilometer municipal fisheries from big businessmen. This gathering will be significant because small fisherfolk will consolidate our various experiences of commercial fishing intervention in our fishing area,” Pamalakaya said.

The assembly was conducted to come up with a coordinated response and strengthen the voice of fisherfolk for the defense and assertion of their rights.

“We reaffirm our demand to maintain the exclusive rights of small fisherfolk in municipal waters. Commercial fishing should not be allowed to enter here because of the damage it causes both to the livelihood of small fisherfolk and marine resources,” Pamalakaya vice chairman and Makabayan senatorial candidate Ronnel Arambulo said.

According to PAMALAKAYA, the Supreme Court opened up about 90% of municipal waters for large fishing companies to exploit. The said decision would allow commercial companies to fish within municipal waters and go deeper than seven “fathoms” (equivalent to 12.8 meters). Only 10% of municipal waters are less than seven fathoms deep.

Municipal waters cover the seas up to 15 kilometers from the coast.