Vulnerability to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing: The case of the Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines
Paper Details
Vulnerability to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing: The case of the Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines
Abstract
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a major global threat to marine biodiversity, food security, and coastal livelihoods. This study assessed, for the first time, the vulnerability of the Municipality of Talusan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines to IUU fishing using the Philippine IUU Fishing Index and Threat (I-FIT) Tool developed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in partnership with the States Agency for International Development (USAID). The assessment applied eight key indicators measured on a 1–4 scale representing low to very high vulnerability. Results show an overall vulnerability score of 2.63, indicating moderate risk to IUU fishing and slightly exceeding the national average of 2.53. Two vulnerability factors registered very high risk: fisheries overcapacity, with approximately 236 fishers per kilometer of coastline exerting intense pressure on fish stocks, and the presence of illegal fishers supported by third-party groups that weaken enforcement integrity. In addition, two attracting factors produced high risk levels, namely rising market prices of illegally targeted species that incentivize unlawful fishing, and limited local government unit (LGU) budget allocation that constrains effective fisheries and coastal resource management. These findings highlight governance gaps, economic pressures, and enforcement limitations that increase Talusan’s exposure to IUU fishing. The study recommends strengthening policy implementation and law enforcement, increasing LGU budget allocation, expanding alternative livelihood programs, enhancing community participation, and intensifying public information campaigns. Overall, the study provides insights to support fisheries management strategies and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14.4, which aims to end IUU fishing globally.
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Copyright © 2026 by the Authors. This article is an open access article and distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.