Small fisherfolk in Subic, Zambales suffered heavy losses in recent weeks as farmgate fish prices plunged. According to the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya, or National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines), this was due to the influx of large volumes of catch from commercial fishing operations such as purse seine into the local market.
Based on reports from local fisherfolk associations in the town of Subic, the farmgate price of gulyasan (skipjack tuna) dropped by 65% to ₱70/kilo from the previous ₱200/kilo. Meanwhile, the price of bonito fell to ₱50/kilo from ₱170/kilo.
“Commercial fishing is not only encroaching on municipal waters, but also on local markets,” Samahan ng Cabangaan 3 Fishermen’s Unity president Roselyn Regalado said. The group estimates that at least 50 purse seine vessels from different provinces are unloading large volumes of fish in their area.
“We are suffering severe losses because production costs remain high, especially fuel prices,” Regalado added. The Habagat season has worsened their situation, bringing strong waves and winds that force them to stop fishing. They can no longer recover their capital as a result and are falling into debt.
Pamalakaya called on the government to take action and address the intrusion of commercial fishing into municipal waters and local markets. It also urged an investigation into possible manipulation of farmgate prices by fish traders.
“The government must take concrete steps to address the fisherfolk’s demand for fair prices for their products. This also indicates manipulation and control of the market by a few traders,” Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said.
The group has long demanded that government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources implement policies for the direct purchase of agri-fishery products from local producers at fair prices. The group also pushes for the removal of layers of middlemen or traders who manipulate farmgate and market prices.
