30 fisherfolks who only sell by the kilo. They unwillingly trade at a lower price to sell their catch.189 They add that the price of the fish is low because large volume fishing operations control the market. 190 Selling their catch at a lower price would also mean operating at a loss. With the high price of gasoline and bait, their income is not enough to offset the capital to finance their operation. 191 In order to make ends meet, some fishermen are compelled to do other work to supplement their income. Some resort to farming, construction, or other manual labor, while some find themselves availing of other illegal or other unsavory alternatives to earn money. 192 When fisherfolk can no longer earn income through fishing, they are constrained to sell their tools and personal implements used for livelihood such as their boats. This results in the loss of their source of income. The participants were also asked about other reasons they perceive that affects their ability to earn income, besides competition with commercial fishing vessels. They shared that zoning ordinances, particularly for beach resorts, have decreased the areas where they can fish. 193 They also cite as a reason, reclamation projects and the prioritization of business investors such as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), casinos, and hotels, among others.194 Because of these coastal projects, they say fisherfolk who were displaced are involuntarily relocated in areas where they have no access to their livelihood as well as basic services such as water, electricity, hospitals, etc. 195 They add that storms and natural calamities due to climate change also affect their ability to earn a substantial income for their daily needs.196 Competition with commercial fishing vessels and its effects to the food security of fishing communities The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (VGSSF) published in 2015, was the first international document to recognize the importance of small-scale fisheries in the context of food security and poverty eradication. 197 The guidelines mention that small-scale fisheries provide about two-thirds of global fish catches meant for human consumption. 198 According to the BFAR National Director, 82 million Filipinos eat fish and each of them needs at least 38 kilos of fish a year. Besides providing food for commercial consumption, many artisanal fisherfolk also depend on their catch to provide food for their household and their communities. While the Fisheries Code acknowledges the importance of conserving and protecting fishery resources in achieving food security for the population, 199 participants in the consultation felt that the persistent entry of commercial fishing vessels in municipal waters is a threat to the food security of fishing communities. 200 Prior to the implementation of RA No. 8550 in 1998, the participants disclosed that the volume of their catch would only depend on the method of fishing they would use. “Kawil” or hook-and-line, and spear fishing would give them around 10-15 kilos, while the use of nets would give them 20 kilos. 201 Some 189 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 190 Ibid. 191 Ibid. 192 Ibid. 193 Ibid. 194 Ibid. 195 Ibid. 196 Ibid. 197 The SSF Guidelines, supra note 24 198 Ibid. 199 RA No. 8550, supra note 8 200 Consultations with Fisherfolks, supra note 148 201 Ibid.