This policy brief synthesises information from the flagship ODI report 'Fishy Business', examining the current state of domestic and foreign fishing activity in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
It focuses on fleet composition, vessel types, ownership, and the challenges posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities in the area. The paper also highlights the prevalence of artisanal vessels, the significant presence of foreign fleets – particularly from China, Vietnam, and Taiwan, Province of China – and concerns about the opacity of vessel ownership and the impact of large-scale foreign fishing on local artisanal fishers and marine biodiversity.