In a landmark decision that reshapes Philippine fisheries governance, the Supreme Court has upheld a lower court ruling that invalidates key provisions of the Fisheries Code restricting commercial fishing operations within municipal waters. The High Court’s resolution in G.R. No. 270929, dated August 19, 2024, affirms a December 11, 2023 Regional Trial Court (RTC) decision that declared several sections of Republic Act 8550, as amended by RA 10654, unconstitutional. The ruling effectively removes the 15-kilometer municipal water limit that has long protected small-scale fishers from commercial fishing operations.

Angelo, F. A. L. (2025, January 8). Court ruling opens municipal waters to commercial fishing. Daily Guardian, pp. 1, 7.