The Philippines: A case study on the tenure rights of small-scale fishers within municipal waters and coastal resources by Mario Maderazo, Eusebio Jacinto and Dinna Umengan, 2025

Tenurial rights in fisheries provide the legal framework for sustainable coastal and marine resource use and management. Recognizing tenurial rights allows for the allocation of specific coastal resources (e.g. fishing areas) to individuals or communities, helping to prevent overfishing and ensuring sustainable resource use. This study investigates the various tenurial instruments available for small-scale fisherfolk, and the benefits derived from their access and control over municipal waters and coastal resources. Covering 2 sites in the Philippines, it investigates how the rights, responsibilities, and remedies of the municipal fisherfolk are enforced and mediated by the state (through the local government) to provide them the preferential access and control over the 15-kilometer municipal waters.

The study provides a contextual analysis of how 5 key tenurial instruments are implemented at the local levels: 1.) Fisherfolk registration, 2.) municipal waters zoning, 3.) community-based law enforcement, 4.) marine protected areas, and 5.) special permits, licenses and grants. It also looks at how these tenurial instruments are reinforced by the local government code which emphasizes local autonomy, as well as special laws and policies that are applicable to coastal areas. The study also defines that there are critical responsibilities of the fisherfolk for them to enjoy the cash and non-cash benefits of these tenurial instruments. Foremost of which is the registration of both the fisherfolk and their boats/gears.

For more information: https://icsf.net/resources/a-case-study-on-the-various-philippine-tenure-rights-of-small-scale-fisherfolk-mario-maderazo-eusebio-jacinto-and-dinna-umengan/