When you live by the Pacific side of the Philippines, life is tough. For the fishers who rely on the sea to survive, facing dangerous waves and winds is their everyday struggle. Despite these challenges, they brave the waters to feed their families. But it is not just nature they battle – illegal fishers also threaten their livelihoods. These poachers use harmful methods like poison and compressor diving to catch more fish. Even though the fishers fight back, the lack of patrol boats makes it hard for authorities to stop illegal fishing. Still, the small-scale fishers in Southern Leyte have to keep going, risking their lives to protect their way of life and the ocean they depend on. It is a tough fight for justice and sustainability along the Pacific shores of the Philippines.
Location: Silago, Southern Leyte, Philippines & Liloan, Southern Leyte, Philippines
Producer: TBTI Global
Credits/acknowledgments: Fishers and friends from Silago & Liloan, Southern Leyte, Philippines and TBTI Global
