Senator Cayetano pushes dedicated fisheries department amid fish production decline

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is renewing his push to create a dedicated Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, saying the current system is no longer sufficient to manage the country’s marine wealth amid a sustained drop in fish production.

A report estimates the country has lost an average of 45,472 metric tons of fish annually over the past decade, raising concerns about food security and the long-term sustainability of the sector.

Cayetano’s proposal, Senate Bill No. 417, comes as a study cited capacity constraints within the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, which saw a 28% reduction in workforce from 2017 to 2023 even as its responsibilities expanded.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Social Welfare and Development show fisherfolk remain among the poorest sectors in the country.

“The Philippines, being an archipelago with very rich marine resources, can be a marine powerhouse,” Cayetano said in the bill’s explanatory note. “Thus, it is logical to establish a department that is focused and accountable for the development, management, and conservation of our country’s aquatic resources and fishing industries.”

The proposed Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources would serve as the primary policy-making and regulatory body for the sector, separate from the Department of Agriculture, which Cayetano said has historically focused more on land-based farming.

“It is time that the government provides for a focused, specialized department responsive to the needs and concerns of the fisheries and aquatic resource industry,” he said.

The measure seeks to address illegal fishing through stronger monitoring systems, tighter regulations and better coordination with enforcement agencies and nongovernment groups.

The new department would consolidate functions currently spread across multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority and marine programs under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to reduce overlap and improve efficiency.

Other measures pending in the Senate seek to strengthen support systems for fisherfolk and protect municipal waters, but Cayetano maintained that a centralized and accountable institution is key to reversing the sector’s decline.

“This will be a significant step in order to better protect, utilize, maximize and conserve the nation’s marine resources as well as uphold the best interest of the fisherfolk,” he said.