December 9, 2025
MANILA – A fishers’ group on Monday urged the government to reject any proposal to import fish during the ongoing closed fishing season, warning that importation only harms small-scale fishers while failing to bring down market prices.
In a statement, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) said the annual three-month fishing ban in the Visayan Sea and other major fishing grounds has again created what it called an “artificial shortage,” a familiar trigger for fish imports.
“Kadalasang kaakibat ng closed fishing season ang importasyon para diumano tugunan ang kakulangan sa supply at pagsirit ng presyo sa palengke. Subalit wala namang epekto sa presyo sa palengke ang pagbaha ng mga inangkat na isda dahil mga pribadong trader ang nagtatakda rito, hindi ang supply,” said PAMALAKAYA vice chair Ronnel Arambulo.
(Importation is often tied to the closed fishing season, supposedly to address supply shortages and rising market prices. But the influx of imported fish does not actually affect market prices, because it is private traders—not supply—that dictate them.)
“Kung may higit na bumababa ay ang presyo ng produkto ng mga lokal na mangingisda na hindi kayang makipagsabayan sa bagsak-presyo ng mga imported na isda,” he added.
(What drops even more is the price of locally caught fish, because small fishers cannot compete with the rock-bottom prices of imported fish.)
READ: Fishers say traders feeding on closed fishing season to drive up galunggong prices
Arambulo said retail prices of galunggong (round scad) have climbed to P300 to P320 per kilo, while fishers continue selling their catch at only P70 to P100 per kilo.
“Halimbawa, kahit pumapalo sa P300 ang kada kilo ng galunggong sa palengke ay nananatiling nasa P70 hanggang P100 ang kada kilo nito sa mga mangingisda,” he said.
(For example, even if galunggong reaches P300 per kilo in the market, fishers still only get about P70 to P100 per kilo for it.)
‘No longer a poor man’s fish’
For PAMALAKAYA, the soaring price of galunggong reflects how traders—not supply—dictate market rates.
“Sadyang hindi na isdang pangmahirap ang galunggong dahil sa kabiguan ng pamahalaan na agawin sa mga trader ang kontrol ng presyuhan mula farmgate hanggang retail,” Arambulo said.
(Galunggong is no longer a poor man’s fish because the government has failed to take pricing control away from traders, from farmgate to retail.)
READ: Fishers slam 3-month ban in Visayan Sea, warn of hunger
The group reiterated its call to end what it described as a “baseless” closed fishing season and the importation that often follows it.
“Kaya panawagan namin na itigil na ang walang batayang closed fishing season at ang kaakibat nitong importasyon,” Arambulo added.
(That’s why we are calling for an end to the baseless closed fishing season and the importation that comes with it.)
Instead of relying on imports, he said the government should “support and strengthen local fish supply” through livelihood support, subsidies during calamities, and protection of traditional fishing grounds for small fishers.
Seasonal ban
The annual closed fishing season in the Visayan Sea is mandated by Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 167-3, which prohibits the catching, selling, or possession of mature sardines, herrings, and mackerel—including their larvae, fry, or young locally known as lupoy, silinyasi, linatsay, and manansi—from November 15 to February 15 each year.
The FAO specifically covers the Visayan Sea and adjoining waters, a spawning area for major sardine and small pelagic species. Violations carry penalties ranging from six months and one day to six years of imprisonment, fines, and the cancellation of fishing permits.
The closure also applies to other fishing grounds such as the Zamboanga Peninsula and Batangas, affecting more than 90,000 fisherfolk in Panay Island alone.
READ: Batangas fishers oppose closed season, fear loss of livelihood
Over the past weeks, PAMALAKAYA and small fishers affected by the Visayan Sea and Batangas fishing closures have warned that the seasonal bans could worsen hunger and push already vulnerable communities deeper into poverty, while leaving market prices in the hands of traders.
The progressive fishers’ group stated that these recurring issues demonstrate why the government must reassess its approach to fisheries conservation and prioritize measures that protect both the resource and the people who depend on it.