Comparative assessment of local responses to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Alicia-Talusan-Olutanga-Mabuhay (ATOM) Alliance, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing remains a critical challenge to the governance and sustainability of small-scale fisheries, creating significant economic, ecological, and social pressures on coastal municipalities. This study aimed to evaluate local responses to IUU fishing in the coastal waters of the ATOM Alliance municipalities composed of Alicia, Talusan, Olutanga, and Mabuhay in Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines using the Philippine IUU Fishing Index and Threat Assessment Tool (I-FIT) developed by Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Fish Right Program. The assessment employed five response indicators: (R1) enforcement team fully operational; (R2) targeted and purposive information, education, and communication (IEC) programs; (R3) local government compliance with national fisheries laws; (R4) systematic data collection on IUU fishing used to inform reduction strategies; and (R5) approved IUU fishing reduction plan. These indicators denoting IUU fishing risk were scored from 1 (low risk) to 4 (very high risk), with data quality rated from 1 (low reliability) to 3 (high reliability) by stakeholders through workshop, focus group discussion, key informant interview. ATOM Alliance municipalities collectively are under moderate to nearly high risk, with an average response score of 2.75, similar to the national average of 2.76. Results showed moderate risk in Mabuhay (2.00) and Alicia (2.60), and high risk in Talusan (3.00) and Olutanga (3.40). Data quality was highest in Alicia and Talusan (3.00), medium in Mabuhay (2.60), and lowest in Olutanga (1.50). Key findings highlighted strengths and gaps: (R1): enforcement capacity stronger in Alicia and Mabuhay but weak in Olutanga and Talusan; (R2): IEC programs consistent in Alicia and Mabuhay but sporadic in Talusan and Olutanga; (R3): Mabuhay and Talusan 83.33% compliant with the Fisheries Compliance Audit (FCA), while Alicia and Olutanga had no FCA records; (R4): data gathered but not consistently analyzed and applied; (R5): most municipalities lacked approved reduction plans. Overall, the study highlights the importance of coordinated capacity-building, standardized governance, and proactive IUU reduction strategies for sustainable small-scale fisheries management. This study directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.4 by addressing IUU fishing.