A broad coalition of small fisherfolk groups, non-government organizations (NGOs), and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Visayan Sea has called on the national government to declare a state of crisis in the blue swimming crab (BSC) industry following the United States ban on crab imports in June.
During a two-day regional workshop held July 29–30 at L’ Fisher Hotel, leaders and representatives from the NGOs for Fisheries Reform (NFR), Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), and the Panay-Negros-Guimaras Crab Fishers Alliance (PANEG-CA), the largest small fishers network in the Visayas, urged immediate and strategic government action to lift the ban and implement reforms for sustainable crab fisheries.
Representing over 160 organizations from more than 20 coastal local government units (LGUs), the group pressed the national government to convene within 30 days a task force to address the U.S. restriction and submit a credible BSC Traceability and Fisheries Management Plan to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which imposed the ban.
They also called for the release of emergency funds for mangrove rehabilitation, crab hatcheries, fisher registration, strengthening of Bantay Dagat and FARMCs operations, and livelihood assistance for affected fishers and crab workers.
Among those present were BFAR Provincial Director Marian Jill Abeto, Saravia Blue Crab President Alfonso Gamboa, Negros Occidental Board Member Atty. Hope Marey “Bambi” Depasucat, and NFR Executive Director Mayette Rodriguez.
CSO leaders further urged the government to enact and implement a National BSC Management Plan covering gear restrictions, minimum size limits, protection of berried females, habitat conservation, and the establishment of Crab Spawning and Nursery Zones.
Edwin Balajadia, PRRM-Negros/Iloilo Area Manager, said declaring a crisis would enable “appropriate and strategic responses” to save the industry and prevent further suffering among tens of thousands of small fishers and crab workers, “the poorest social grouping in the country.”
He added that a declaration of a “Climate and Fisheries Emergency” would allow the government to mobilize responsive structures, policies, and budgets at both national and local levels.
“If not abated, the U.S. ban could result in the loss of P1.2 billion in annual exports and push more than 50,000 fisher families into deeper poverty across six provinces in the Visayan Sea,” Balajadia warned.
Rodriguez noted that the blue swimming crab is among the country’s most valuable export fisheries, generating P7–8 billion yearly and supporting over 100,000 fishers and crab workers in coastal communities across the Visayas.
PANEG-CA Chairperson Gerry Bedoya of Manapla said the ban has already slashed crab prices by up to 50 percent, severely reducing daily incomes.
Eduardo Espinosa, a veteran small fisher leader from Bacolod City, urged coastal LGUs to pass provincial and local BSC ordinances, declare crab sanctuaries, and ban commercial fishing and black sand mining within the 15-kilometer municipal waters. ||
