FISH Visayas 2: Another Four Years for Sustainable Fisheries in the Philippines

At the end of June 2025, the second phase of our FISH Visayas project came to an end after four intensive years – a milestone for small-scale fisheries in the Central Visayas.

With 6.5 million inhabitants, the region is one of the economically dynamic, but also socially challenged parts of the Philippines. Here, community fisheries make a crucial contribution to nutrition and income, but at the same time struggle with low productivity, degraded coastal ecosystems, illegal fishing and insufficient institutional support.

This is exactly where FISH Visayas 2 came in: The aim was to strengthen fishing families, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and local authorities along the value chains, stabilise incomes and promote the sustainable use of coastal resources.

What we have achieved

Thanks to the cooperation with the Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor Chambers of Commerce, local government agencies, ministries and cooperatives, we have been able to achieve tangible results:

• 9,872 fishers have received practical training on topics such as responsible entrepreneurship, processing, sustainable use of resources and organisational development.

• 153 young people successfully completed dual training in cooperation with companies and educational institutions.

• 5 new occupational profiles including recognised curricula were developed and adopted by partner companies and educational institutions.

• 14 innovative products have been created that make fishery products more durable and increase value creation. Two institutional buyers have already signed contracts with fisher organisations to secure the market for these products.

• 124 small businesses were trained in digital marketing to successfully market their products online.

• 85,000 mangrove seedlings were planted on 24.6 hectares – coasts protected, fish stocks secured, habitats for marine animals created.

• 25 marine protected areas received management plans to preserve marine resources in the long term.

In addition, 41 multipliers have been trained for training programs, 27 in-company trainers have been certified and 5 local communities now regularly support coastal cleanups as part of their waste management plans.

Impact that lasts

FISH Visayas formally ends – but the impact is sustainable: New products, strengthened structures, practical knowledge and a network of motivated actors bring more dynamism, sustainability and entrepreneurship to the small-scale fisheries sector of the Central Visayas.