Environmental group Oceana, along with more than 1,100 fisherfolk groups across the country, urged Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to lead the opposition to House Bill 7853 that will allow commercial fishing operations in the country’s municipal waters.

“We need to uphold the law and complete the implementation of reforms under the amended Fisheries Code,” the groups said in a joint statement that was sent to the author of the bill, Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, and members of the House of Representatives Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries.