IUU fishing Archives - U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

U.S.-Supported Workshops Empower Fisherfolk, Strengthen Coastal Networks

U.S. Embassy Manila — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 05:55:57 +0000

U.S.-Supported Workshops Empower Fisherfolk, Strengthen Coastal Networks

A fisherman raises a concern with a Philippine Coast Guard officer during one of the workshops.

Manila, July 2, 2025—The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, in partnership with IMPL-Project Philippines, trained over 180 fisherfolk from Zambales, Cagayan, and Sulu in a year-long program designed to expand their knowledge on sustainable fishing practices and to strengthen their ability in asserting their maritime rights in the South China Sea.

From June 2024 to May 2025, participating fisherfolk joined a series of workshops under the U.S. Embassy-sponsored “Empowering Coastal Communities in the Philippines” program, with trainers from the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. They learned about maritime law enforcement, the Philippines’ sovereign maritime rights, strategies to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU fishing), and strengthening community information campaigns. The program also enabled fisherfolk to explore alternative livelihood opportunities amid rising maritime tensions that have affected their access to traditional fishing grounds.

Fisherfolk participants join U.S. Embassy Deputy Director of Public Engagement Chad Kinnear (2nd row, 5th from left), IMPL-Philippines Executive Director Julius Suarez (2nd row, 4th from left) and Philippine National Police Maritime Group Zambales Officer-in-Charge Police Captain Vicente Ayaoan (2nd row, 2nd from left) for a group photo during the closing event of the training program held in Masinloc, Zambales, on June 20.

“It serves a vital role in mobilizing grassroots action and developing an informed citizenry to better address maritime challenges,” U.S. Embassy Deputy Director of Public Engagement Chad Kinnear said at the program’s closing event held in Masinloc, Zambales, on June 20.

A key outcome of the program was the establishment of three fisherfolk cooperatives: the Boundless Unity Steadfast and Inclusive Livelihood Agriculture Cooperative (BUSILAC) in Aparri, Cagayan; the Unified Livelihood Agriculture Cooperative (ULAC) in Zambales; and the Bangsa’Sug Fishermen Cooperative (BaSFC) in Sulu. These cooperatives will provide thousands of fisherfolk with access to formal support and income-generating opportunities, while reinforcing their legal recognition as key stakeholders in coastal governance.

“Through the program, I learned the proper procedures for boat licensing and how to ensure our safety when fishing,” said Roland Fuentes, a fisherman from Zambales and ULAC vice chairman.

Participants also regarded the project as a meaningful step toward restoring fish stocks, building local resilience, and asserting the Philippines’ sovereign maritime rights in its exclusive economic zone. 

“We continue working toward long-term solutions to the maritime challenges our coastal communities face,” IMPL Philippines Executive Director Julius Suarez said.

By expanding support for local fisherfolk, the United States remains committed to strengthening coastal resilience, advancing economic opportunities, and encouraging community-led solutions to maritime challenges in the region.

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U.S., Philippine Coast Guards Host Maritime Law Enforcement Forum for Southeast Asian Partners

U.S. Embassy Manila — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 03:09:09 +0000

U.S., Philippine Coast Guards Host Maritime Law Enforcement Forum for Southeast Asian Partners

(From left) U.S. Embassy Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Deputy Director Luke Bruns, Thailand delegation head Captain Ktitkorn Kanjanawanich, Indonesia delegation head Commander Semuel Sandi Rundupadang, Philippine Coast Guard Captains Noriel Ramos and Jimmy Naisod, Malaysia delegation head Commander Mohd Hairil Bin Othman, and Vietnam delegation head Colonel Cao Vu Long.

Manila, November 12, 2024—From November 5 to 7 in Bagac, Bataan, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) co-hosted a Technical Expert Workshop for maritime law enforcement agencies from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam to enhance cooperation in addressing shared maritime issues, including collaborative approaches to countering illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing.

During this workshop, 30 delegates from participating nations’ coast guards, border security, and fisheries enforcement agencies conducted technical exchanges and scenario-based simulation exercises to improve existing policies and standard operating procedures related to information sharing and operational coordination.

The participating agencies will collectively present their observations and recommendations to their senior leaders at the 2025 Commanders’ Forum.

PCG Captains Noriel Ramos and Jimmy Naisod with U.S. Coast Guard participants.

The annual Technical Expert Workshop and Commanders’ Forum series are funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) through its Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative (SEAMLEI).

“The annual SEAMLEI Commanders’ Forum and Technical Expert Workshop are key elements of the broader U.S. effort to enhance maritime cooperation among Southeast Asian partners,” U.S. Embassy INL Deputy Director Luke Bruns said.

PCG Strategic Studies and International Affairs Center Deputy Director Captain Noriel Ramos described the workshop as an effective venue to gather with likeminded regional partners “to discuss and collaborate on maritime law enforcement efforts for regional stability to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.” He also conveyed the PCG’s intent to host the next SEAMLEI Commanders’ Forum in 2025.

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BFAR-USAID Study Calls for Public Support to Combat Illegal Fishing

U.S. Embassy Manila — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 04:59:00 +0000

BFAR-USAID Study Calls for Public Support to Combat Illegal Fishing

Manila, March 10, 2021 – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) released on March 9 the results of a study which quantified illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Philippines. The report identifies what more should be done to eradicate IUU fishing in Philippine waters.

IUU fishing ranges from small-scale, unlawful domestic fishing to more complex operations carried out by industrial fishing fleets. It is by nature complex and clandestine, which means data are hard to come by and substantiate.

The report summarizes findings from a survey and a consensus-building workshop conducted in September 2020 by BFAR, USAID, Rare Philippines, the University of the Philippines (UP) Marine Science Institute, and the UP School of Statistics. During the workshop, more than 100 experts and practitioners estimated the quantity and value of illegal and unreported fish catches in the Philippines, and discussed the local context of unregulated fishing.

The report highlights that while the government has invested significant resources in the campaign against illegal fishing, its operational assets have to be augmented to curb the country’s huge economic losses from destructive and unsustainable fishing practices. The report also notes that fisher compliance with fisheries laws and regulations requires a strong, responsive governance structure, and that reducing IUU fishing is a shared responsibility that requires a whole-of-society approach guided by science.

“Addressing IUU fishing remains an important Philippine government priority. USAID has worked with BFAR for over three decades to promote sustainable fisheries. And we are pleased that this report will further strengthen government efforts to help prevent IUU here in one of the world’s most biodiverse marine sanctuaries,” said Lawrence Hardy II, Mission Director of USAID Philippines.

According to the report, illegal fishing amounted to 27 to 40 percent of fish caught in 2019 in the Philippines, which translates to approximately Php62 billion ($1.3 billion) annually. At least 30,000 or 30 percent of municipal vessels remain unregistered, and commercial fishers do not report up to 422,000 metric tons of fish each year. These statistics show the vast impact IUU fishing has on the Philippines’ marine ecosystem.

“Our strong resolve to prevent and put an end to IUU fishing in Philippine waters will not waiver, especially now that we are gaining momentum technology-wise. With the use of science and data, we are in the process of developing an IUU Fishing Index and Threat Assessment Tool, which will be adopted in the 12 Fisheries Management Areas,” said DA-BFAR Director Eduardo Gongona.

“Once fully implemented, this tool will provide us with periodic information needed to identify other ways to encourage voluntary compliance, strategically guide law enforcement operations, and clearly communicate our progress in reducing IUU fishing in the Philippines,” he added.

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