31 participants also shared that there was less competition with other fisherfolk during this time. In Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, they asserted that the fisherfolk population numbered less than 1,000 and there were very few engine-powered boats.202 Their children would often join them in fishing during the weekends, so that they would have some money to spend during the week. During the peak season, they can even fill up 3-5 “styro”203 per week with “buraw”204 which was still abundant at the time. In the Visayas area, participants mentioned that they could still catch bluefin tuna if they fish only 5-7 kilometers offshore. Dorado and Mahi-mahi were also so abundant that they could even give it away.205 The participants recognized that before the implementation of the Fisheries Code, an increase in illegal fishing activities and intrusion of commercial vessels in municipal waters were already observed.206 There was also a proliferation of “baby-trawl,” a method that uses trawling or drag-net fishing but with the use of smaller boats. These methods destroy coral reefs and catch small and big fish, contributing to declining fish stock due to decreased fish spawning.207 RA No. 8550 was intended to curb the proliferation of such methods and prevent the intrusion of commercial vessels. However, most of the participants said that commercial fish operations in municipal waters continued even with the passage of the law. 208 Competition with commercial fishing operations has brought about not only a decreased amount of food and income for the community, but also impacted the variety of fish that they can eat.209 As commercial fishing often brings the “good” or high value fish to cities or export markets, artisanal fisherfolk are left with the lower value fish to sell to market and to eat. Participants also noted that due to declining fish stock, they had to work for longer hours to get sufficient catch.210 They claimed that they had to work even during off-peak times211 while competing commercial vessels could rest for around 3 days to 1 week per month. A participant shared a positive experience wherein the LGU strictly implemented the Fisheries Code. Before the passage of RA No. 8550, certain species of fish like “damos” 212 and “kabasi”213 were almost wiped out in San Miguel Bay due to commercial fishing operations in the area. 214 Even though there was no IRR yet at the time, the LGU faithfully implemented the provisions of RA No. 8550 by virtue of the powers vested to local executives through RA No. 7160. Because of their efforts to curtail illegal commercial fishing in municipal waters, the numbers of “damos” and “kabasi” began to thrive again after 3-5 years.215 The participant mentioned that this is a tangible example showing that if the law enforcers have the political will to properly implement the relevant laws and recognizes the rights of marginalized fishermen, it would be genuinely beneficial to the sector. According to the participants, the food they can generate in the municipal waters will no longer be enough due to increasing demand and competition with commercial fishers. 216 The sustainability of marine 202 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 203 Ibid. each “styro” is equal to at least 40 kilos of fish 204 Short Mackarel, localnamesofphilfishes.blogspot.com/2009/06/local-names-of-fishes-in-visayas.html (last viewed 11/22/2021) 205 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 206 Ibid 207 Ibid 208 Ibid. 209 Ibid. 210 Ibid. 211 Ibid. 212 False Trevally, www.fishbase.de/comnames/CommonNamesList.php?ID=363 (last viewed 11/22/2021) 213 Gizzard Chad, philippineculturaleducation.com.ph/kabasi/ (last viewed 11/22/2021) 214 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 215 Ibid. 216 Ibid.