As Energy Crisis Shakes the System, Fisherfolk Bear the Brunt

April 23, 2026

This Earth Day, there’s a deeper story worth paying attention to, and it’s the one that starts long before seafood reaches our plates.

Recent global events have sent ripple effects across many industries, including fisheries. For many artisanal and small-scale fishers in the Philippines, a trip to the sea now costs more than ever, and even with no assurance of a good catch or decent returns.

Photo: Courtesy from gettyimages

With fuel accounting for the vast majority of a fishing boat’s operating costs, going out to sea, for many, is now barely profitable. And when that happens, the effects cascade:

Less seafood reaches local markets
Prices increase for consumers
Nutritious food becomes less accessible

In a country where the fishing industry employs over two million people, and where a large part of the population depends on fish as a key source of protein, the implications are significant.

As poverty increases across communities, food insecurity and malnutrition become growing concerns. With climate impacts and already fragile food systems, many Filipinos are becoming increasingly vulnerable.

This Earth Day, let this be a reminder that energy and food systems are deeply interlinked, and that resilience (or the lack of it) is often felt first and most strongly by those at the frontlines of food production.

Photo: Courtesy from Philippine News Agency (PNA)

Sustainability isn’t just about protecting fish stocks. It is, more importantly, about ensuring that the people who harvest them can continue to do so, humanely and equitably. When fuel becomes too expensive, even the most responsible fishing practices become difficult to sustain.

At Fishta Seafood Inc., we remain grounded in these realities and recognize this as a shared responsibility. Direct-to-community sourcing and responsible sourcing continue to be our priority, helping ensure that fishing communities can thrive, and that fishing as a livelihood remains viable for many Filipinos.