Philippines’ Province of Palawan Reserves Municipal Waters for Small-Scale Fishers | Oceana

Victory | April 14, 2026

Philippines’ Province of Palawan Reserves Municipal Waters for Small-Scale Fishers

The provincial government of Palawan passed the first provincial ordinance prohibiting all commercial fishing within its 15-kilometer municipal water zone, thus strengthening and backing up national laws that give preference to small-scale fishers in coastal waters. Through satellite monitoring, Oceana found that commercial fishing in Palawan’s municipal waters has increased by 40% since 2022. This encroachment led to overfishing and habitat destruction – threatening coastal communities and artisanal fishers who rely on a healthy ocean for food security and livelihoods. Oceana is continuing to campaign for the same legal protections in other provinces.