Fisheries Country Profile: Philippines 2025

2025 Information Updated

The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia consisting of 7,641 islands with a total land area of 301,000 km². The Philippines is situated at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, between 4°N and 21°N latitude and 116°E and 127°E longitude. The country lies southeast of mainland Asia, with Taiwan to its northwest and Malaysia to its southwest near Borneo (Figure 1). The total area of marine resources of the country, including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), covers 2.2 million km², 200 nautical miles from its shores, and the coastal total area is about 266,000 km² with a coastline length of 36,289 km (Table 1). The Philippines is rich in natural resources such as mineral resources (gold, nickel, copper, and chromite), energy resources (geothermal, hydropower, and fossil fuels), agricultural resources (crop and forestry), and marine and coastal resources (fisheries and navigation). The country is situated within the Coral Triangle, a region known as the global epicenter of marine biodiversity. The Verde Island Passage, covering 1.14 million ha located between the provinces of Mindoro and Batangas, is identified as a site of the highest recorded marine species. Various experts regarded this passage as the center of the center of marine biodiversity (Carpenter & Springer, 2005).

Table 1. Fishery resources of the Philippines (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources [BFAR], 2023)

The fisheries sector is an important component of the economy, providing food, revenue, and employment. With an approximate human population of 112 million in 2023 (Philippine Statistics Authority [PSA], 2021), fishing is the main livelihood for people living in coastal areas. The fisheries sector directly or indirectly employs 2.29 million people in capture, aquaculture, fish processing, packaging, and transportation (BFAR, 2024). Although the gross domestic product (GDP) contribution in fishing was not directly reported, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors collectively contributed 8.6 % to the country’s GDP in 2023 (PSA, 2024).

On average, each Filipino’s total food intake of fish and fishery products contains 11.7 %, which is approximately 93.90 grams per day (BFAR, 2024).

Fisheries Subsectors

• Capture fishery

The marine capture fishery is categorized into municipal and commercial fishing based on the fishing ground and size of the fishing vessel. Municipal fishing refers to fishing within municipal waters (15 km from the coastline) using fishing vessels of 3 GT or less, or fishing not requiring the use of fishing vessels. Commercial fishing refers to taking of fishery species beyond 15 km from the coastline using passive or active gear for trade, business, or profit beyond subsistence or sports fishing with the fishing vessels classified into small-scale (3.1–20.0 GT, medium-scale (20.1–150.0 GT), and large-scale (> 150 GT). Furthermore, the inland capture fishery operates in freshwater areas such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, among others.

• Aquaculture

Aquaculture includes all forms of raising and culturing fish and other aquatic products in fresh, brackish, or marine areas. The Philippines has a well-developed aquaculture industry, which is important for the country’s food security needs. Seaweed and milkfish ranked as the top aquaculture products, followed by tilapia and shrimp. Recent years have witnessed considerable strides in this segment due to growing technological advancements, government patronage, and rising market demands. As such, aquaculture is critical in relieving wild fish stocks and ensures that the supply of fish and fishery products remains steady.

• Fisheries post-harvest

Fisheries post-harvest is the activities or processes that occur after fish are caught and landed. These activities include maintaining the quality of fish, value addition, packaging and transport, and reducing post-harvest losses. In the Philippines, small and medium enterprises contribute to the local economy through traditional fish processing methods, such as drying, fermenting, and salting. The government, through the BFAR initiatives, provided the fisherfolk a skills training on value addition, community fish landing centers, and post-harvest facilities and equipment.

Fisheries Agencies

• Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has it’s the mandate to develop, manage, and conserve the fishery and aquatic resources of the Philippines. BFAR was reconstituted into a line bureau of the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 or Republic Act No. 8550. The BFAR derives much of its strength from the legal and regulatory framework, including the implementation of the Philippine Fisheries Code and its amendments, most notably, Republic Act 10654, giving legal footing to efforts against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. While the BFAR regulates practically all forms of fisheries and fishing practices, it is also expected to initiate other forms of fishing that ensure the long-term sustainability of fishery resources. BFAR is organized into several key offices that are important to the agency’s vision and mission. The BFAR Central Office serves as the main office for administration, finance, fisheries planning, legal matters, capture fisheries, aquaculture, post-harvest, marketing, fisheries resource management, and regulation. Across the country, BFAR has 16 regional offices that facilitate the local implementation of the agency’s programs and projects. These regional offices are vital for implementing the national fisheries laws and policies within their local jurisdiction to ensure that the Bureau’s services can reach the local fishing communities. Additionally, there are six training centers intended to deliver capacity building/training and skill development for the fisherfolk and fish farmers in the local communities. They provide different programs targeting fisherfolk and fish farmers, such as new sustainable fishing technologies and advanced aquaculture practices.

Under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 257-1, Series of 2020, BFAR is offering full college scholarships to eligible or qualified high school graduates pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Science in Fisheries through the Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP). The scholarship program consists of three components, which are: (1) the FSP Fisheries Industry Leader Grant (FILG) for senior high school graduates and graduating students with honors, (2) the Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant (FCEG) for senior high school graduates and graduating students whose parent/s or guardian/s are registered municipal fisherfolk, and (3) FSP Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (FSP-ICCs/IPs) for unprivileged yet deserving graduates or graduating students from Alternative Learning System (ALS)/High School/Senior High School belongs to a particular Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples acknowledged by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (BFAR, n.d.).

• National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI)

The National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) is an agency under DA responsible for conducting research and development (R&D) in fisheries and aquaculture. NFRDI was established in 1998 to acknowledge the crucial role of fisheries R&D in the development, management, conservation, and protection of the country’s aquatic resources. It carries out the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP), which spans various production stages and provides essential scientific data for the optimal use of aquatic resources and fish stocks. This data aids in forming guidelines for harvest control rules for various species. The NSAP adopts the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) concept and promotes responsible fishing, considering societal impacts and fostering a balanced, sustainable use of resources. Under NSAP, NFRDI gathers data from numerous landing sites all over the country and conducts time-series analyses of stock status for each fishing ground to enhance the 12 Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) nationwide (National Fisheries Research and Development Institute [NFRDI], n.d.).

Fisheries Laws, Regulations, and Policies

The regulatory, legal, and policy framework that governs fishery and aquatic resources set by BFAR seeks to address several challenges in sustainable fisheries management and conservation. The Republic Act No. 10654, entitled “An Act to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, Amending Republic Act No. 8550” otherwise known as the “Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 and for other purposes” emphasizes the rational and sustainable development, management, protection, utilization and conservation of fishery/aquatic resources in Philippine waters, including the EEZ and distant waters. The amendment of the Fisheries Code opened the way for a more effective fisheries governance to fight against IUU fishing. The Act was aligned with international maritime agreements and commitments such as port State measures, observer programs, vessel monitoring measures, catch documentation, and market-related measures. The penalties for IUU fishing increased significantly to ensure sanctions are dissuasive and have a deterrent effect on violators. This law also addressed the issue of distant water fishing or fishing in other coastal states by Philippine-flagged fishing vessels. To address the conservation and management of fishery resources and proper implementation, rules and regulations under the different provisions of this Act were promulgated by BFAR through the fisheries administrative orders and circulars.

In addition to supporting the National Plan of Action to prevent, deter, and eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing (NPOA-IUUF), Executive Order (EO) No. 154 was enacted and adopted. This EO No. 154 established the Philippine Committee against IUU fishing, composed of different representatives of the National Government Agencies (NGAs) such as the Office of the President, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation and Communications, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Finance, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense, and Department of Foreign Affairs and their respective offices including concerned economic zone authorities, and representatives from private sectors. The Committee is mandated to ensure the implementation of NPOA-IUU, provide policy guidance, and develop capacity-building programs. The Committee shall also submit an annual report to the President on implementing this Order and the NPOA-IUU.

Further, Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code, was enacted into law, transferring control and responsibility of delivering basic services into the hands of Local Government Units (LGUs). This code intends to enhance the provision of services at the grassroots level and improve the efficiency in resource allocation, specifically in fishery and aquatic resources. This Code sought to broaden the decision-making opportunities of the LGUs by encouraging the participation of stakeholders. Likewise, under Executive Order No. 305, the registration of municipal fishing vessels below 3 GT was devolved to LGUs and was signed in 2004. This order was enacted to address the registration process and enhance accessibility and efficiency for municipal fishers in the coastal municipalities.

Furthermore, Republic Act No. 9147, known as the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 protects and promotes the welfare of all animals in the Philippines by prohibiting acts of cruelty towards animals, such as maltreatment, torture, killing, and neglect. In line with Rule 37.1 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act 9147, Fisheries Administrative Order No. 233, series of 2010, also known as Aquatic Wildlife Conservation, was promulgated to regulated the collection and trade of wildlife, conserving and protecting wildlife species and habitats for sustainability.

Fisheries Management Areas

The Fisheries Administrative Order No. 263 Series of 2019 was issued by the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to establish twelve (12) Fisheries Management Areas (FMAs) around the Philippines for effective conservation and management of the country’s fishery resources (Figure 2). FMAs are delineated based on fish stock distribution, species range, ecosystem boundaries, fisheries structure, and administrative functions. Each FMA is managed by a Management Body chaired by BFAR and co-chaired by local chief executives composed of representatives from different fisheries sectors such as municipal and commercial fishing, aquaculture, processors, traders, or market organizations, academe, indigenous people, non-government organizations (NGOs) and other NGAs.

Fishery Statistics

• Fishery production

There was a slight decrease from 4.34 million MT (USD 5.99 billion) in 2022 to 4.26 million MT (USD 5.69 billion) in 2023, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Aquaculture grew from 2021 to 2023 at 3.10 % to 1.48 %, and remained the most significant contributor with 2.38 million MT, accounting for 55.95 % of the total fishery production. Capture fisheries accounted for 44.05 % including marine capture fisheries (90.70 %) and inland capture fisheries (9.30 %). For value, capture fisheries contributed a substantial share of 65.01 %, equating to USD 3.55 billion, which came from marine capture fisheries (93.24 %). On the other hand, aquaculture contributed USD 2.15 billion or 34.99 % of the production value despite having a significant production volume, which can be attributed to lower commodity prices.

• Top ten fishery and aquaculture commodities

Tables 2 and 3 indicate that tuna accounted for the largest share by both quantity and value in total production, contributing approximately 409.80 million MT (USD 885.40 million). Moreover, sardines, scad, mackerel, anchovies, and squid followed in terms of quantity. In terms of value, scad ranked as the second-largest contributor with approximately USD 579.13 million, while sardines, mackerel, and squid ranked third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, as shown in Table 3.

Table 2. Top 10 commodities produced in marine capture fisheries in 2023 by quantity (MT) (BFAR, 2024)

Table 3. Top 10 commodities produced in marine capture fisheries in 2023 by value (USD 1,000) (BFAR, 2024)

In inland capture fisheries, tilapia is the leading commodity both in quantity and value, contributing 53.71 million MT with a value of USD 72.98 million, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. This was followed by carp, snail, mudfish, gourami, and catfish, among others, in terms of quantity. In terms of value, carp also ranked the second largest production with USD 25.13 million, followed by catfish, crab, gourami, and shrimp, while mudfish ranked tenth.

Table 4. Top 10 commodities produced in inland capture fisheries in 2023 by quantity (MT) (BFAR, 2024)

Table 5. Top 10 commodities produced in inland capture fisheries in 2023 by value (USD 1,000) (BFAR, 2024)

Seaweed remained the leading commodity in aquaculture by quantity with 1.63 billion MT, representing a 68.32 % of the total aquaculture production. In terms of value, seaweed amounted to approximately USD 220.32 million (Tables 6 and 7). This was followed by milkfish, which produced 353.02 million MT and contributed the highest value of USD 794.94 million (Table 7). Tilapia, shrimp, and shellfish were among the top commodities with the greatest production quantities. Additionally, Table 7 indicates that shrimp ranked as the second highest in value, with about USD 495.58 million, followed by tilapia, seaweed, and mudcrab.

Table 6. Top 10 commodities in aquaculture in 2023 by quantity (MT) (BFAR, 2024)

Table 7. Top 10 commodities in aquaculture in 2023 by value (USD 1,000) (BFAR, 2024)

• Fisheries trade

Exported fish and fishery products

The Philippines is a major supplier of fish and fishery products to the global market, including tuna, shrimp, seaweed, and crab, which are exported to the United States, Japan, China, and European countries, generating foreign exchange earnings. From 2019 to 2021, the country’s export quantity of fish and fishery products continuously declined, but there was an increment in 2022 of about 6,400 MT (Figure 5). In 2019–2023, the highest quantity and value were in 2022, with 282,674 MT and a corresponding value of USD 1,144.2 million. However, in 2023, a 10%, there was a decline in the exports of 27,164 MT (BFAR, 2024), which was due to elevated inflation that affected the global market.

In 2023, tuna registered the highest quantity with 88,970 MT, which indicates a 41.81 % share of the total quantity (Table 8) (BFAR, 2024). Moreover, tuna also ranked first in export value, accounting for 38.92 % of the total value, which equates to USD 391.81 million (Table 9).

Table 8. Top 10 fish and fishery products exported by Philippines in 2023 by quantity (MT) (BFAR, 2024)

Table 9. Top 10 fish and fishery products exported by the Philippines in 2023 by value (USD 1,000) (BFAR, 2024)

In 2023, China was the major importer of fish and fishery products from the Philippines, with 46.13 million MT, followed by the USA with 33.55 million MT, followed by Japan with 22.32 million MT, Viet Nam with 19.97 million MT, and Germany with 13.41 million MT (Table 10). In terms of value, the USA led, contributing USD 203.72 million to the total fishery export value, as shown in Table 11. Other countries with substantial shares in the country’s total value of fishery exports were Japan with USD 123.91 million, China with USD 121.9 million, Germany with USD 73.79 million, and Spain with USD 70.94 million (BFAR, 2024).

Table 10. Top 10 countries of destination of fish and fishery products exported by Philippines in 2023 by quantity (MT) (BFAR, 2024)

Table 11. Top 10 countries of destination of fish and fishery products exported by the Philippines in 2023 by value (USD 1,000) (BFAR, 2024)

To sustain its competitive position and meet international standards, the Philippines has implemented the catch documentation and traceability (CDT) for fish and fishery products exported to EU member countries and Japan. These CDT are intended to ensure that fish and fishery products can be traced back to the source from the time of catch to the time of sale, ensure quality and safety, as well as comply with international standards.

Imported fish and fishery products

In 2023, the country’s total import quantity of fish and fishery products reached 547,523 MT valued at USD 938.29 million. This indicated a decrease of 1.70 % from the previous year’s total imports of 556,979 MT (BFAR, 2024). In 2019–2023, the highest quantity of imported fish and fishery products was recorded in 2022 with 556,979 MT, while the lowest quantity was observed during 2020 with 405,988 MT (Figure 6).

Of the total imported fish and fishery products, tuna had the highest quantity, with 141.27 MT, 33.21 % share of the total import. Other imported commodities with significant quantities include mackerel, round scad, fish meal, and cuttlefish, with 98.52 MT, 65.18 MT, 47.17 MT, and 40.05 MT, respectively, as shown in Table 12. In terms of value, tuna remained the top imported commodity with USD 286.45 million or a 38.16 % share of the total value of imported fish and fishery products. It was followed by mackerel (USD 120.14 million), round scad (USD 103.9 million), cuttlefish (USD 69.74 million), and fishmeal (USD 49.18 million), as shown in Table 13 (BFAR, 2024).

Table 12. Top 10 fish and fishery products imported by the Philippines in 2023 by quantity (MT) (BFAR, 2024)

Table 13. Top 10 fish and fishery/aquatic products imported by the Philippines in 2023 by value (USD 1,000) (BFAR, 2024)

China was the primary supplier of fish and fishery products to the Philippines in 2023 in terms of quantity and value, contributing 194,758 MT, valued at USD 310.41 million, as shown in Tables 14 and 15. Viet Nam was the second largest source of fish and fishery products, contributing 101.99 MT (USD 183,020 million, followed by Papua New Guinea with 47,238 MT (USD 98.52 million).

Table 14. Top 10 countries of origin of fish and fishery products imported by the Philippines in 2023 by quantity (MT) (BFAR, 2024)

Table 15. Top 10 countries of origin of imported fish and fishery products imported by the Philippines in 2023 by value (USD1,000) (BFAR, 2024)

• Number of fishing vessels

Table 16 shows that a total of 4,560 commercial fishing vessels were registered in 2023. Medium-scale fishing vessels had the highest number, comprising 48.77 % of the total number, followed by small-scale and large-scale fishing vessels, accounting for 43.44 % and 7.79 %, respectively. On the other hand, 751 licensed commercial fishing vessel operators were recorded in 2023. Furthermore, a total of 407,215 municipal fishing vessels were registered in 2023, as shown in Figure 7.

Table 16. Number of licensed commercial fishing vessels in each region of the Philippines by size and number of operators in 2023 (BFAR, 2024)

 

• Number of registered fishers

In 2023, 2.29 million fishers were registered, as shown in Figure 8. The majority were male at 70.01 %, and 29.99 % were female. Most fishers engaged in capture fishing, aquaculture, and other related activities were composed of males, whereas other fishing activities, such as fish vending, gleaning, and fish processing, were dominated by females (BFAR, 2024).

Fisheries-related Agreements and Collaborations

• International

The Philippines has ratified and/or acceded to international instruments relating to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), and the United Fish Stocks Agreement (UN Fish Stocks) relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks. The Philippines has long-standing collaborations with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and complied with agreements such as the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas, 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (a voluntary instrument), International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (IPOA IUUF), and the Agreement on Port State Measures (PSMA) to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing.

• Regional

Furthermore, the country is a member of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) and has engaged with other international organizations on transboundary concerns that are critically important for sustainable fisheries. The Philippines is a Cooperating Contracting Party/Member of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Additionally, the country actively participates in regional bodies like the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), Coral Triangle Initiatives (CTI), and ASEAN Network for combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (AN-IUU), among others.

• Bilateral/multilateral

The Philippines has bilateral agreements in fisheries with the neighboring states or countries such as the Kingdom of Thailand, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Indonesia, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and the Republic of Palau.

Over the past few years, there has been a shift towards the application of new technologies in the fisheries sector. The establishment of electric systems for data collection and management is improving the current fisheries management. These technological innovations are very important in improving the governance of the entire sector and, therefore, the sustainability of the sector. The development of the fisheries sector in the Philippines is a cooperative endeavor involving various participants. The government, the industry, and international organizations have combined their efforts to improve traceability systems, sustainable fishing practices, and the trade facility for fishery products.

References

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (n.d.). BFAR Official Website. https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (2020). Philippine Fisheries Profile 2019. https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Philippine-Fisheries-Profile-2019.pdf
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (2021). Philippine Fisheries Profile 2020. https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2020-Fisheries-Profile.pdf
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (2022). Philippine Fisheries Profile 2021. https://online.anyflip.com/vxlsj/tbfe/mobile/index.html
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (2023). Philippine Fisheries Profile 2022. https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2022-Philippine-Fisheries-Profile.pdf
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. (2024). Philippine Fisheries Profile 2023. https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2023-Philippine-Fisheries-Profile.pdf
Carpenter, K.E. & Springer, V.G. (2005). The center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity: The Philippine islands. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 72, 467-480. DOI: 10.1007/s10641-004 3154-4
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2011). AQUASTAT – FAO’s Global Information System on Water and Agriculture. https://storage.googleapis.com/fao-aquastat.appspot.com/countries_regions/pdf/PHL-map_detailed.pdf
National Fisheries Research and Development Institute. (n.d.). NFRDI Official Website. https://nfrdi.da.gov.ph
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2024). Selected Statistics on Agriculture and Fisheries [Report]. https://www.psa.gov.ph
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2021). Updated Projected Mid-Year Population for the Philippines Based on the 2015 POPCEN Results: 2020 – 2025. https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phcd/2022-12/Cities%2520and%2520Municipalities%2520Population%2520Projections_2015CBPP_Phils.pdf
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center. (2023). Philippines: Country report and presentation. The Regional Training Course on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (PowerPoint slides) https://www.seafdec.or.th/unclos-training/downloads/presentations/Agenda01_Philippines_Country_Report.pdf

Acknowledgement

The author expresses his gratitude to the staff of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, who have shared their support, effort, time, and knowledge in making this country profile possible.

About the Author

Mr. Beverly S. San Juan is a Senior Aquaculturist from the Fisheries Regulatory and Licensing Division (FRLD) of the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA–BFAR), and currently the 2025 Regional Fisheries Policy Network (RFPN) Member for the Philippines. (Email: beverly@seafdec.org; beyesanjuan@gmail.com)