Climate change and the fisherfolk sector: PAMALAKAYA’s continuing narrative

This article was initially published in 2019.

Introduction

According to IBON Foundation, small scale fisherfolk are the primary producers of fish for human consumption and support the livelihoods of up to 12% of global population. They contribute significantly to food security and engage in more environmentally sustainable fishing than commercial fisheries. However, this population of food producers continue to be marginalized and neglected in terms of social services and laws to protect their vital livelihood from climate change effects and neoliberal policies that only favor capitalist interests. CCNCI this year has established a formal partnership with the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas or PAMALAKAYA (National Federation of Small Fisherfolk in the Philippines). This aims to determine how climate change has affected their situation, its implications on their calls for genuine fisheries reforms and their initiatives on adaptation and mitigation that can be supported, shared and developed. The partnership has also strengthened the resolve of the CCNCI to delve into the struggle of small fisherfolk and enjoin them in the fight for climate justice.

A Brief Fisherfolk Situationer: Diminishing Fishing Grounds for Small Fisherfolk

90% of global fishers and fish workers are small scale fisherfolk who contribute 2/3 of fish produced for human consumption. In the Philippines, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) registry, there are 1.8 million registered small scale fisherfolk but the true number may be six times more, says PAMALAKAYA. These unregistered fisherfolk include men, women and children engaged in fishing and small scale trade of fish and sea products. Their means of livelihood involve gathering, cleaning, vending, drying or smoking fish or work as hired help in fishponds ,small ports and fish markets called “consignasyon” where labor conditions are harsh and the pay is meager.

The country has one the richest fishing grounds in the world but with the poorest fisherfolk. There are 2.2 million square kilometers of waters for fishing, which are 7x larger than the arable land areas. This pertains to both marine and inland water resources that are rich and biodiverse. These resources supply half of the Filipino’s protein requirements at the same time contributes to the global fish supply being the #8 top fish producer in the world. However, the fishing industry remain to be a monopoly of big businesses both local and foreign, leaving almost nothing for the small fisherfolk who are considered to be the second poorest sector in the country, next to the farmers. Aquaculture comprises 51.91% of total fish production and are owned by big capital businesses. 21.97% is from commercial fishing operated also by foreign and local companies . Municipal fishing contributes 26.12% of production but still controlled by big fishpond and vessel owners who dictate the prices of products, wages of workers and demand 75-85% of the profits from the sales.

Fisherfolk are also victims of below minimum wage pay, long hours and days of perilous work at sea and hard labor. A few of them (38%) own small motorized bancas, 9% have manually rowed boats and the rest (53%) do not have boats and instead rent or work as hired fishers . These fisherfolk are allowed to fish only in municipal waters that have dwindled due to amendments in local and national ordinances . From the previous kilometers from the shore, municipal fishing grounds for small fisherfolk have been limited to only ten. Commercial vessels are also allowed to fish in depths of 7 meters and above depriving fishing grounds for small fishers since these depths are within the 10 kilometer range in most municipalities. Women and children are also engaged in fishing to survive. They also go out to sea, diving to gather shellfish and crabs or casting nets to help the menfolk. Children rode makeshift floats to gather driftwood and trash to sell. During the dry season, entire families spend days at sea to be able to augment their catch. During lean months ( rainy season ), they engage in odd jobs or work in nearby farms.

Because of poverty, some fisherfolk risk their lives to earn some money by joining fishing expeditions of foreign commercial vessels. Some of them never return and are either lost at sea or become victims of trafficking. Aquaculture is being promoted and developed to cater to the export industry more than for domestic consumption. This has also contributed to the decrease in fishing grounds for small fisherfolks in both inland and marine fisheries. Fish cages and ponds occupy municipal waters . Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) and the Fisheries Code allow foreign ownership and foreshore lease agreements of up to 75 years of fishpond ownership. This favors big businesses and deprives the lowly fisherfolk of their livelihood.

According to the 2018 PAMALAKAYA primer, the present administration has no plans to develop the municipal fishing industry but rather concentrates its efforts to boost aquaculture and commercial fishing for export. And sadly for the poor fisherfolk, fish importation from the surplus produce of the United States, China, Vietnam and Japan continue to flood the market, competing with the municipal catch of small fishers . In 2016 alone, the country imported 384,165 metric tons of fish while exporting 257,219 metric tons from aquaculture and commercial fishing. Dwindling fishing grounds is being aggravated by Duterte’s “Build Build Build” (BBB) program through the conversion and privatization of water resources ( fishponds and cages ) and reclamation that destroys natural fish habitats.

The West Philippine seas now belong to China, depriving the fisherfolk of their rights to fish in what is supposed to be Philippine territory. “Fish Sanctuaries” and the so called “Blue Economy” being promoted for the tourism industry are being imposed without consultation with coastal communities and local fisherfolk, further limiting their fishing areas.

Climate Change and the Small Fisherfolk

The small fisherfolk are already coping with these challenges to their survival but another serious problem looms—climate change. The fisherfolks bear the brunt of the direct physical effects of climate change that include rising sea levels, ocean acidification that results to fish kills, flooding and extreme weather events like storms .These ill effects are also further aggravated by the destruction of mangroves and reefs for the sake of development projects which in turn make coastal communities more vulnerable to tidal waves and storm surges.

During the CCNCI climate change workshop, the fisherfolk have observed yearly rising sea levels that threaten their coastal homes so that every year, extra effort is needed to strengthen the foundation of houses or move these to higher ground. They also observed the resilience of wetlands with lush mangroves to storm surges and tidal waves. They also sharply noted a change in the patterns of “habagat” and “amihan” (local terms for seasonal winds) that determines the calmness of the sea and availability of fish. Traditional methods to predict the coming of these winds like presence of migratory birds, the direction of migration of insects, seasonal vegetables in the market and species of fish and shellfish that appear in their catch serve as indicators. They have adapted to these changes by adjusting their fishing schedules and seeking other means of income whenever extreme weather disturbances prevent them from going out to sea. During dry months, many have learned to take advantage of calm seas by staying in their boats for days, packing salt, ice and provisions while at sea and even bringing their young children with them. Salting and drying fish can also fetch higher prices for their catch.

Fisherfolk during the CCNCI Climate Change Adaptation Summit share that their group can cope with climate change by planting mangroves, improving and strengthening their homes, adjusting their fishing seasons and methods, engaging in organized disaster response and educating the community. However, their problem lies in the policies and projects of private and government entities that diminish this resiliency.

Fisherfolk Monica Anastacio pleads that her barangay be spared from projects like the Aerotropolis City in Bulacan. This is a 2500 hectare reclamation project that will obliterate three barangays, including Monica’s and inundate the province with floodwaters during monsoon months. Nationwide, there are over 62 reclamation projects awaiting the approval from the Philippine Reclamation Authority under the office of the President. Demolition without relocation is now actually being done in different coastal areas to give way to these projects. Tourism projects are also being constructed without considering the livelihood of the fisherfolks.

Furthermore, despite the Climate Change Act of 2009, no support for fisherfolks have been given by government. Some members of the PAMALAKAYA National Council lamented the difficulty of accessing the People’s Survival Fund (PSF) to use for climate change adaptation and disaster response projects in their communities. They require SEC registration, financial statements and accreditation before these funds can be released to people’s organizations.

After CCNCI gave climate change orientation and a discussion on climate justice, the PAMALAKAYA National Council concluded that their struggle for development, justice and equity is their answer to climate change. Their call for democratic representation in decision making and distribution of wealth and their demands for pro poor policies and support services must be further asserted. They also deem climate justice to be part of their struggle for sovereignty and self determination as a nation, rather than be subservient to foreign interests.

Plans and Calls of the National Council

Summarized below are some of the unities and resolutions of the National Council of PAMALAKAYA last March 28, 2019 that incorporates some climate actions:

1. Arouse, organize and mobilize the small fisherfolk to defend their lives and livelihood amidst the unjust policies governing the fisheries industry and fisherfolk.

• Climate Justice can be a basis of unity for fisherfolks. Climate change education is needed in the communities so that the PAMALAKAYA requested modules and training materials to be able to promote climate change adaptation and justice among their chapters and target members

• Continue the Anti-Reclamation campaign, adding the premise that it also aggravates climate change effects like flooding, land subsidence, tidal waves and storm surges

2. Struggle for genuine reforms in agriculture and fisheries industries.

• Includes the struggle for climate change adaptation and mitigation and other true solutions to climate change as part of legislation or policy proposals

• Demand from government support for climate change adaptation, disaster response and mitigation

• Make more accessible the PSF and other climate change funds to people’s organizations

3. Struggle for national freedom and democracy.

• Includes the struggle for climate justice (Stop green house gas emissions now, pay for the damages brought by extreme weather disturbances and rising sea levels, fund climate change adaptation and mitigation (CCAM) in developing countries)

The CCNCI shall continue to partner with the PAMALAKAYA to protect their interests as the sector to be hardest hit by climate change. Protecting the seas and coasts for the benefit of future generations makes them the first lines of defense against plunder and devastation due to environmental degradation. The fisherfolks and their demand for climate justice must gain ground and prevail together with the struggling masses who continue to unite and fight. The CCNCI is also one with them in their struggle against reclamation as a member of the People’s NICHE, supports the passage of the Genuine Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Bill or GFARB and continually conducts climate change education for its members and chapters.