Challenge 04:
Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy
Generate knowledge, support innovation and multi-sectoral partnerships and develop solutions for equitable, resilient and sustainable development of the ocean economy under changing environmental, social and climate conditions.
This Administrative Order, consisting of 6 Sections, establishes the Regulation on the Mesh Size of Tuna Purse Seine Nets and Trading of Small Tuna. The following management and conservation measures to prescribe the mesh size of tuna purse seine nets in catching tuna and regulation on the trading of small tuna are promulgated to prohibit to any person, association, cooperative, partnership or corporation to operate tuna purse seine nets with mesh size smaller than 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) at the bag or bunt portion in catching tuna. It shall be unlawful also to trade small tuna caught beyond the bycatch ceiling. Violation of Section 2 of this order shall subject the offender to a fine of from 2,000.00 to 20,000.00 Pesos or imprisonment from six months to two years or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court; the boat captain and the master fisherman may also be subject to the penalties provided; the owner/operator of the commercial fishing vessel who violates this provision shall be subjected to the same penalties; the Department is empowered to impose upon the offender an administrative fine and/or cancel the fishing licence.
Cabral, Reniel; Geronimo, Rollan; Mamauag, Antonio Samuel; Silva, Juan; Mancao, Roquelito; Atrigenio, Michael (National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 2023-12)
The human population of the Philippines is expected to reach 158 million by the year 2050, or an increase of 37% relative to 2022. This implies increased demand for aquatic food (or “fish” hereafter). This begs the question of whether the Philippines can meet the expected increase in fish demand. We estimate that even if the Philippines can maintain its current fish production, the Philippines will still require 1.67 million metric tons more fish per year by 2050 to at least maintain its current per capita fish consumption of 34.27 kg per year. Continued mismanagement of inland and marine fisheries will further widen the gap in fish supply. However, we argue that simultaneously rebuilding overfished fisheries, restoring degraded habitats crucial to supporting productive fisheries, addressing current threats to fisheries sustainability, and expanding sustainable marine aquaculture (or mariculture) have the potential to meet future fish demand in the Philippines. Sustainably expanding mariculture requires careful siting and management of mariculture development areas so that mariculture can improve food security without disenfranchising and marginalizing local coastal communities.
This policy brief is the product of the address delivered by RBC during the 44th Annual Scientific Meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines, last July 2022, with the theme Foresight 2050: Science for a Sustainable Future. We dedicate this work in memory of our friend, Lito Mancao, who championed good governance in the Philippine fisheries and has generously supported numerous fisheries researchers and practitioners.
