Oceana and Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC) oppose the opening of municipal waters to commercial fishers to give priority access to small fisherfolks and prevent further collapse of fishing grounds. “Our municipal waters are the spawning and nursing grounds of fish. If we protect it, we can ensure the continuous supply of fish, which will provide long-term seafood security, especially for our municipal fishers who depend on the sea for their food and livelihood,” said Marianne Pan Saniano, marine scientist from Oceana Philippines. For her part, lawyer Liza Osorio of the PEJC said that policies which open municipal waters to commercial fishing should comply with the preconditions set by the amended Fisheries Code or Republic Act 10654.

Environmental groups demand protection of municipal waters. (2018, September 13). BusinesWorld, p. S2/8.