By Kenneth Marcos 
As fishing boats return to shore across coastal towns in the Philippines, the future of the open sea remains a growing concern. Tuna, sardines, and other pelagic fish are not only food on Filipino tables but also a source of income for millions of small fishers. Protecting these shared marine resources has become more urgent as fishing pressure and climate change continue to rise.
From January 6 to 8, 2026, the Department of Agriculture–National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI) represented the Philippines at the Regional Technical Consultation on the Conservation Efforts and Management Strategies of Pelagic Fisheries Resources in Southeast Asia. The meeting was held in Port Dickson, Malaysia, and brought together fisheries experts and policymakers from across the region.
The consultation was organized by the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center’s Marine Fishery Resources Development and Management Department. It served as a platform for countries to exchange experiences, technical knowledge, and best practices on managing pelagic fisheries, which include fast-swimming fish species that live in open waters.
Participants came from eight ASEAN member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. These countries share many fishing grounds and depend heavily on pelagic species for food security, employment, and exports.
Representing the Philippines were Noimie Rose Dicdiquin of NFRDI and Kima Karla Cedo of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). They presented the country’s science-based approaches to managing key pelagic species such as tuna, roundscad (galunggong), and sardines—staples in the Filipino diet.
The Philippine delegation explained how scientific research, regular monitoring, and policy implementation work together to support sustainable fisheries. This includes stock assessments, catch monitoring, closed fishing seasons, and the use of data to guide management decisions. These measures aim to prevent overfishing while ensuring that fishers can continue to earn a living.
Pelagic fisheries are especially important to the Philippines, an archipelagic country with millions of people living in coastal areas. Tuna alone supports large commercial operations as well as small-scale fishers. Sardines and roundscad are also critical as affordable protein sources for many Filipino households.
However, experts at the consultation noted that pelagic fish stocks are under pressure due to overfishing, illegal fishing, and the effects of climate change. Warmer seas and changing ocean conditions can alter fish migration patterns, making management more complex and requiring stronger regional cooperation.
During the discussions, ASEAN countries shared strategies such as joint research, regional data sharing, and harmonized policies to manage shared fish stocks more effectively. Participants agreed that no single country can protect pelagic fisheries alone, since these species move across national waters.
The Philippine representatives stressed the importance of aligning science with policy. They highlighted how research findings are translated into regulations that fishers and local governments can follow. They also emphasized the need to balance conservation goals with the welfare of fishing communities.
The DA-NFRDI said participation in regional consultations like this helps strengthen the country’s fisheries programs. Learning from neighboring countries and sharing local experiences can improve national policies and enforcement efforts.
As demand for fish continues to grow across Southeast Asia, officials said sustainable management is key to ensuring long-term food security. Protecting pelagic fisheries today means future generations of Filipinos can continue to rely on the sea for food and livelihood.
The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to working with ASEAN partners to conserve marine resources, promote responsible fishing, and support coastal communities that depend on healthy oceans.
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