The Quezon Basnig Operators Association

Consists of 39 members operating a total of 26 vessels, each employing approximately 15 fish workers. The top species caught include galunggong, tangigue, balsa, yellowfin tuna, and gulyasan. Seasonality affects their catch, with peak periods from March to September yielding 5 to 10 tons of galunggong per boat per trip, while the lean season from November to February sees a shift to payao fishing targeting tangigue, balsa, yellowfin tuna, and gulyasan. The association participates in fisheries management and maintains compliance with regulations. Their market includes Narra, Palawan for dried fish, Manila where fish is distributed to Cavite via plane, and Puerto Princesa.

SCOFAI's Journey Towards Responsible Seafood Sourcing

The Subic Commercial Fisherfolk Association Inc. (SCOFAI), composed of small to medium-scale ring net and handline operators and women, has faced significant challenges including declining fish stocks and barriers to market access. SCOFAI undergone vital organizational development and received training in post-harvest handling, enabling members to enhance product quality. Through close collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and other government agencies and also embracing RSS, the group has achieved early successes in gaining direct market access.

Preserving a Long Tradition of Responsible Fishing in Calawit Island

Tagbanwas, an indigenous small-scale fishing community in Palawan, are renowned for their in-depth knowledge of the intricacies of octopus behavior and habitats. Amidst increasing threats from urbanization and illegal fishing, the Nurunutan yang Calamian Tagbanua yang Calawit may Quezon remains steadfast in strongly asserting their rights to protect their ancestral domain and the octopus fishing as sustainable livelihood. By adhering to the RSS Standard, the Tagbanwas hope to uphold their cultural and indigenous practices through equitable trade and broader market access.

Linapacan: Turning The Tides On Illegal Fishing

Linapacan, part of the Calamianes Group of Islands, is known for its pristine waters and abundant marine life, attracting both tourists and fishers. Previously affected by illegal and destructive fishing practices, the local government, under Mayor Emil Neri, took a proactive and compassionate approach—offering alternative, legal livelihoods instead of focusing solely on enforcement.They also introduced a Right-Sizing Ordinance to regulate fishing efforts and establish sustainable harvest controls. These efforts laid the foundation for Linapacan’s involvement in Responsible Seafood Sourcing, supported by industry partners and government agencies such as DA-BFAR, DTI, and DOST.

‘Sa Igbon ang Kasag ay Gakaragkag!’ (Crabs Abound in Igbon!): A fishing village’s collective effort to conserve the blue swimming crab

Igbon, a fishing village in Iloilo, has emerged as a model for sustainable blue swimming crab (BSC) conservation. Through its community-led association, BIGKAS, local fishers are actively protecting spawning areas and avoiding the capture of undersized and pregnant crabs to help restore crab populations. Recognized by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as a model village, Igbon is part of a broader public-private-community initiative promoting sustainable harvests and strengthening the local market for responsibly caught crabs. This approach helps improve fishers’ livelihoods while reducing dependence on exports.

Tindagat: Connecting Consumers To Local Fishers in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro

Tindagat is an online platform that connects consumers directly with local fishers in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. By shortening the supply chain, it helps small-scale fishers earn more stable and increased income. With support from community leaders like Tito Jaime Oyao, fishers also receive training in fish processing and financial literacy to strengthen their livelihoods. Promoting responsible fishing, Tindagat and its partners use low-impact methods such as line fishing to reduce environmental harm. One of its key offerings, Top SeaCrate, delivers seasonal, high-quality seafood to consumers while supporting marine conservation in Lubang.

Empowering Communities Through Responsible Seafood Sourcing Initiatives

In Roxas, Palawan, two fishing communities—the Shell Island Fishers Association (SIFA) and the Caramay Fisherfolks Association (CFA)—are leading efforts for a more sustainable fishing industry. Supported by Community-Centred Conservation Philippines (C3 Philippines), the groups are adopting RSS practices through training on sustainable fishing methods, ethical food handling, and sustainable fish drying techniques. The initiative has significantly reduced illegal fishing in the area, improved seafood quality, and contributed to marine ecosystem health. Both associations have also successfully shipped their products to Palawan and Metro Manila. The local government supported their efforts by donating a processing facility, which has enhanced their ability to market their products and boosted the local economy.

Wave of Change: Advocating Responsible Seafood Sourcing (RSS) in Roxas City, Capiz

In Roxas City, Capiz, fishing communities are embracing RSS as a way to promote sustainability and strengthen their local economy. Led by Community Centred Conservation (C3) Philippines and supported by local governments and fisherfolk associations, the initiative focuses on promoting responsible fishing practices that protect marine resources while improving fishers’ livelihoods. C3 Philippines works directly with five local fisherfolk associations—representing 382 fishers—providing training and market access to help them become advocates for sustainable seafood.

Our approach - BluerSeas Philippines

Driving Responsible Seafood Practices Across the Supply Chain

Bluer Seas employs a comprehensive supply chain approach to foster relationships along the seafood supply chain, thereby reinforcing commitments to the Responsible Seafood Sourcing (RSS) Standard. This standard is designed to promote local fisheries development, strengthen national markets for responsibly sourced seafood, and acknowledge non-certified fisheries for their improvement efforts.

Developing
seafood value
chain

There are a lot of fishing communities that are sourcing responsibly, but may need help accessing more market linkages. We empower them towards supply chain equity through:

15 Communities
involved

Who they are
What they fish
Where they are

Bogtong Fish Processors Association
(BFPA)

Location

Commodity

Story

Bogtong, Busuanga, Palawan (view on map)

Fresh-Chilled Fish

Busuanga Champion Communities:

The Bogtong Fish Processors Association (BFPA) have improved post-harvest processing of seafood and has benefited from direct linkages to premium markets in the local tourism industry and to Metro Manila. The local government and the environmental champion communities are strongly committed to combat illegal fishing and reforest their mangroves. Busuanga is home to the Concepcion-Sagrada-Bogtong (CSB) Marine Reserve, a 616-hectare area of mangroves, seagrasses, and corals.

Testimonials from community members

– Fredel Mued. Vice Chairman, Nurunutan Yang Tagbanua Tung Calawit May Quezon

“Following RSS guidelines has helped our community protect natural resources and improve income, as higher prices for compliant octopus products reduce the need for overfishing.”

Meet our environmental champions.
Watch these videos to learn more.

– Armelyn Manonggol

Member, Bogtong Fish Processor Association

“This project has been a great help to us. We hope it will continue to prosper so we can keep on working here.”

Fredel Mued. Vice Chairman, Nurunutan Yang Tagbanua Tung Calawit May Quezon

“Following RSS guidelines has helped our community protect natural resources and improve income, as higher prices for compliant octopus products reduce the need for overfishing.”

Meet our environmental champions.
Watch these videos to learn more.

– Armelyn Manonggol

Member, Bogtong Fish Processor Association

“This project has been a great help to us. We hope it will continue to prosper so we can keep on working here.”

Private sector
engagement

Working with Seafood Companies

The path toward seafood sustainability is paved by the collaborations we make. By working hand-in-hand with companies that share the same advocacy with us, we:

Institute business systems and policies that support RSS

It enables seafood businesses to take part in reducing the impacts of fishing and fish farming by sourcing responsibly.
It allows suppliers, processors, and end-buyers to contribute to improving the health of the oceans and the livelihoods of local fishing communities.

Incentivize compliance with RSS

By working with all seafood supply chain actors, we aim to shift the demand towards responsibly sourced and sustainable seafood, creating incentives for fishing practices to improve over time.

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Fish for Every Filipino: Fishta champions accessible, responsibly sourced seafood

Two years into pioneering RSS assessments, Fishta has launched its product line featuring 100% traceable and locally sourced seafood. Their target is for at least 20% of their wild-caught seafood to come from direct, sustainable sources.

Our Shared Responsibility: Robinsons brings locally caught, responsibly sourced seafood to consumers

Robinsons bridges the gap between responsible business practices and consumer accessibility, bringing locally caught, sustainably sourced seafood to its more than 2,300 stores nationwide.

Staying true to Serve 360: Marriott Embraces Responsible Seafood Sourcing

Marriott Hotel and Newport World Resorts have set a goal to advance Responsible Seafood Sourcing (RSS) in the Philippines by providing separate bidding process to responsibly produced products and benchmarking against the RSS Standard.

Fish for Every Filipino: Fishta champions accessible, responsibly sourced seafood

Our Shared Responsibility: Robinsons brings locally caught, responsibly sourced seafood to consumers

Robinsons bridges the gap between responsible business practices and consumer accessibility, bringing locally caught, sustainably sourced seafood to its more than 2,300 stores nationwide.

Staying true to Serve 360: Marriott Embraces Responsible Seafood Sourcing

Moved over

0 TONS

of fish under the RSS Program

Valued at PHP 15.7M

US$ 0 +

Conservation Investments

Leveraged in the last 2.5 years

Alliances with other
stakeholders

Fostering
Partnerships

We also foster strong partnerships with various civil society organizations, government agencies, and technology providers that help protect our oceans, achieve food security, and empower local fishing communities.

CSOs

SFP

USAID Fish Right

USAID INSPIRE

Government Agencies

DA-BFAR

DTI

FMAs

LGUs

Technology Providers

FAME

Arkos

Palamigan

Driving Responsible Seafood Practices Across the Supply Chain

15 Communities involved