In a bold move to protect local marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of small-scale fishermen, the Visayas State University (VSU) satellite campus in Tolosa, Leyte, has publicly opposed a Supreme Court ruling. The decision, which allows commercial fishing vessels to operate within the 15-kilometer municipal waters, has sparked widespread concern among various stakeholders. The university’s Faculty of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences issued a statement highlighting the severe threat this ruling poses to coastal ecosystems and the communities that rely on these resources. VSU is advocating for the maintenance of the existing regulations under the Philippine Fisheries Code, which prohibit commercial fishing in these areas. The university warns that allowing commercial fishing would exacerbate overfishing and further damage already stressed marine environments. They also noted that the use of active fishing gears by commercial fishers, such as trawl and purse seine, could have detrimental biological and environmental impacts. The entry of these vessels, VSU argues, would not only threaten the marine ecosystem but also jeopardize the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and other stakeholders dependent on the municipal waters. This stance aligns with recent efforts by the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, who have also sought to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision. Established in 1971, the VSU-Tolosa Campus continues its mission to drive socio-economic development through fishery education, research, and resource management.
