Fisheries across Southeast Asia are under growing pressure as millions of kilos of fish disappear each year. In the Philippines, annual fish losses have reached around 45 million kilos. Experts warn this is not just an environmental issue, but a serious threat to food security and livelihoods.
A study by Oceana shows that Philippine fisheries are in “freefall.” National fish production dropped from 2.6 million metric tons in 2010 to 1.9 million metric tons in 2023. The economic impact is severe. More than 353,000 fishing families live below the poverty line, while over 93,000 are considered food-poor.
Overfishing and Rising Costs Across Southeast Asia
The Philippines is not alone. Across Southeast Asia, overfishing and weak regulation are common in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
Many small-scale fishers are forced to travel farther from shore to find fish. This means higher fuel costs, more dangerous working conditions,
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