Nearly half of the fishers in Luzon have stopped going out to sea due to soaring fuel prices, the Department of Agriculture (DA) – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) confirmed on Thursday.

In an interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, BFAR Director Elizer “Toto” Salilig validated a report from the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), saying the observation that high gasoline costs are deterring small-scale fishers from conducting operations is accurate.

“Totoo yung observation ng SINAG na sa sobrang mahal ng gasolina.. Kung maglaot kasi for ex sila ay maliliit na mangingisda ang nagagastos kasi na gasolina sa bawat labas nila hindi bababa sa 10 liters,” Salilig said.

According to the SINAG report, small-scale fishers spend at least 10 liters of gasoline per trip—an amount that exceeds what they earn from their catch.

Salilig added that the global rise in crude prices remains a key factor in the financial difficulties experienced by fishers.

“Mas malaki ang gastos nila kaysa sa kikitain,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Salilig reported that fish supply in Metro Manila and other areas remains stable.

He also said that the suggested retail price (SRP) of fish products has not yet been affected.

“Sa supply wala namang problema,” he added.

However, Salilig cited a report by SINAG that if fuel prices continue to rise, the impact could be felt by May, potentially affecting the number of fishers going out to sea.

“Mararamdaman natin siguro baka this coming May dahil ang serbisyo ng Sinag…baka pagdating ng Mayor baka hindi lang 50% ‘yung maglaot kung patuloy po ang ating fuel price increase,” Salilig said.

In response, BFAR is preparing to submit a proposed fuel subsidy program to the Senate aimed at covering all sectors of the fishing industry, including commercial fishers. Salilig said the proposal seeks to expand benefits to more Filipino fishers.