The coastal province of Zambales is home to Filipino fisherfolk who sail and harvest fish in the West Philippine Sea, (part of the greater South China Sea (SCS)). Their fishing operations, critical to their livelihoods, have traditionally been centered around the rich fishing ecosystem of the Scarborough Shoal, a landmass about 120 nautical miles offshore. However, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing has dramatically shifted their freedom of navigation and disrupted access to this critical resource area.
Disputes over the rights to this territory are long-standing. China insists that it has sovereignty and maritime claims over the Scarborough Shoal, justifying control with its “nine-dash line” (shown in red on the map below). The nine-dash line was created in the 1940s by a Chinese geographer to delineate areas of Chinese control over its surrounding waters. Nonetheless, the line lacks international legitimacy. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has repeatedly asserted that the line has no legal standing and is vehemently rejected by the Philippine government and neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
These theoretical disagreements and competing claims create extensive material impact on Zambales fisherfolk’s livelihoods. In 2012, Chinese vessels took control of the Scarborough Shoal by force, and since then have not allowed Philippine fisherfolk or fishing vessels to access the rich fisheries. Chinese Coast Guard (CCG), Chinese fishing fleets, and the mysterious Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) now have a permanent presence 120 nautical miles from Zambales, well within the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This has impeded the local fishing community’s access to the Shoal, preventing them from harnessing its resources, taking advantage of its calm waters for safe and plentiful fishing, and utilizing it as a resting place between their home ports and the geographically widespread fishing grounds.
In response, IMPL. PROJECT began the IUU Common Cause project. Using robust data collection methods, we were able to uncover how IUU and other developmental factors are hindering fisherfolk prosperity and job security. Using these findings and our close relationships with key stakeholders, we’ve started and scaled initiatives that reinforce the agency and sustainability of the fishing community. Our ongoing goal is to create a scalable, data-driven playbook for strengthening the resiliency of populations threatened by malign foreign influence in the SCS.
Identifying Root Causes
IMPL. PROJECT’s first objective was to map IUU activity in the SCS and its impact on Zambales fisherfolk. In March 2021, IMPL. PROJECT Philippines collected 837 baseline surveys and hosted focus group discussions with key fisherfolk across western Luzon.
In order to track perceptions and impact and gain further insight into critical dynamics, IMPL. PROJECT Philippines gathered an additional 1,096 surveys in April 2021. We probed critical areas to identify the Zambales fishing community’s biggest problems, the type of technology and equipment local fisherfolk use, how often foreign vessels were seen in Philippine waters, and how IUU influenced Filipino fisherfolk’s behaviors and success. These data points allowed us to identify the communities most vulnerable to fishing downturns and explore factors that could be adjusted to improve economic and safety outcomes for fisherfolk.
In the first survey, 52% of the respondents reported “climate change” as the biggest community challenge. “Climate change” represents increases in typhoons, storms, and winds hindering fishing activity. The increase in bad weather is particularly concerning because 49% of survey respondents were going out to sea without a radio or GPS. In addition to a lack of navigation technology, many fisherfolk did not possess essential safety equipment, like life jackets or first aid kits. IMPL. PROJECT also observed that climate-related hurdles to fishing created negative impacts for fisherfolk families. During periods of poor weather conditions caused by typhoons, rain, and wind, food scarcity is a much bigger problem in the community.
During the second survey, we focused on the impact of IUU activity in the SCS. More than half of survey respondents who fished 65+ nautical miles offshore reported seeing Chinese or Vietnamese vessels during at least 20% of their outings. Most of these vessels were identified as fishing, cargo, or maritime force boats. The proportion of Chinese and Vietnamese fishing boats was roughly equal at the time of the survey, but Chinese vessels represented an outsized proportion of reported maritime force vessels. Filipino crews described positive relationships with Vietnamese fishing boats only. In terms of impact, no fishing captain or deckhand has been able to access the interior of the Scarborough Shoal since 2012, representing a huge impediment to their efficiency and a cause of frustration for fisherfolk.
Other Asian countries successfully combat IUU through building close relationships between government maritime groups and local fishing communities. However, 54% of surveyed fisherfolk reported zero interactions with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) or Philippine National Police Maritime. Furthermore, the PCG does not have the resources to support the Filipino fishing population near the Scarborough Shoal – if they did, small, commercial vessels would have a better chance to access the Shoal’s perimeters without safety concerns. With 76% of survey respondents reporting a desire to see more economic investment from the United States in their community, IMPL. PROJECT saw a unique opportunity to provide assistance to a vulnerable population while pushing back against the impact of IUU in the SCS.
Creating the Common Cause Fishing Cooperative
IMPL. PROJECT built on our data-driven analysis to design and implement a robust solution: a fisherfolk cooperative. The cooperative model was selected to help foster a collaborative environment for fisherfolk and bolster information sharing about strategies to grow fishing profits and methods for identifying and countering malign influence. The cooperative membership currently includes 18 commercial fishing captains and more than 60 total beneficiaries. To empower the members for success, beneficiaries were equipped with essential items such as safety equipment, GPS technology, and batteries. The cooperative hosts regular training events, on topics including maritime safety, basic life support, financial management, leadership, and IUU reporting. Through their work, they’ve connected closely with other Masinloc sea-related organizations. The cooperative has also invested in strengthening community relations through initiatives like holiday events.
As well as organizing fisherfolk, IMPL. PROJECT has deployed programs to mitigate the downstream impacts of decreased fishing revenues. We have completed three rice, sardine, and noodle distributions to cooperative beneficiaries and their families in order to counteract food insecurity in periods of poor weather. We also collaborated with the local church to provide more than 200 pairs of shoes to beneficiaries and their children.
Results and Looking Ahead
In a short period of time, the cooperative’s positive community influence has been astounding. From February to June 2022, the cooperative generated 938,000 PhP ($16,535) in revenue. In the first three months of the cooperative’s existence, the fishing captains’ average household incomes had increased by 50%. Despite facing a 70% increase in diesel prices since December 2022, the cooperative has been able to purchase two additional payaos (devices used to attract certain kinds of fish). The cooperative also invested part of its revenue in member food subsidies during stretches of bad weather, negating the need for IMPL. PROJECT to provide the subsidies. Not only have these investments improved cooperative resilience, they also signal an impressive movement toward self-sustainability, where the fishing cooperative will generate enough revenue to support beneficiaries and reinvest in their operations without continued long-term investment from IMPL. PROJECT.
Beyond these financial strides, the cooperative has become a core institution in Masinloc. It is a leader within the broader Zambales fishing community and has built robust relationships with USAID organizations, the PCG, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group. For the fisherfolk themselves, the cooperative’s social media platform has created an outlet for sharing their stories. They’ve documented fishing trips, highlighted initiatives to support beneficiaries, and outlined their value-driven and caring culture. One cooperative beneficiary said about the cooperative, “It is important to visit each other even if there is no need, it fosters good fellowship and unity.” Another beneficiary said, “There is no difficult life if there is perseverance to earn a living.” IMPL. PROJECT is confident that this dedicated attitude and the cooperative’s impressive progress thus far will continue to generate exceptional outcomes.
IMPL. PROJECT plans to help increase the cooperative’s profits and help it reestablish a foothold at the Scarborough Shoal. To do so, we have plans to revamp the fish processing system to include product transportation to Manila, an optimal sales market. The cooperative also has the potential to purchase a lancha (a larger commercial boat), which will allow them to establish a more consistent presence around the Scarborough Shoal. The plan to oppose Chinese occupation of Scarborough Shoal entails documenting and promoting stories about the negative effects of occupation on social media. Finally, we are actively expanding this model to fishing communities in additional Philippines communities impacted by similar hardships.