The Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium is organized through a rotational hosting arrangement among forty-eight (48) higher education institutions (HEIs) offering fisheries programs, as well as institutions with a strong interest in promoting the welfare of small-scale fisherfolk through research and development initiatives. This approach promotes national collaboration and encourages wider regional participation in fisheries research, education, and policy dialogue.
The First Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium, held on October 16–18, 2024, was hosted by the University of the Philippines Visayas, a leading institution in marine and fisheries research in the Philippines. The Second Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium, held on October 21–23, 2025, was subsequently hosted by Mindanao State University in Marawi City, Mindanao, expanding the symposium’s reach and engagement with stakeholders from the southern Philippines.
These venues provided important platforms for bringing together researchers, policymakers, fisheries practitioners, and representatives of small-scale fishing communities to exchange knowledge, share research findings, and discuss strategies for strengthening the sustainability and governance of small-scale fisheries in the country.
Continuing this collaborative tradition, the Third Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium will be hosted by Batangas State University in Batangas City, Luzon, on October 21–23, 2026. This event will further strengthen nationwide participation, promote knowledge exchange, and foster sustained dialogue among fisheries stakeholders, researchers, policymakers, and academic institutions. As a testament to its commitment to fisheries education and development, Batangas State University also offers the Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (BSFAS) at its ARASOF–Nasugbu Campus, contributing to the preparation of future fisheries professionals and advancing sustainable aquatic resource management.
The first two Philippines Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposia established a clear national consensus: that small-scale fisheries (SSF) are too vital to ignore, and that the country must move from recognition to sustained action. Across many coastal communities, community-based and co-management fisheries initiatives have already demonstrated measurable gains in resource recovery, local governance, gender inclusion, and livelihood diversification.
However, these successful models often remain localized, fragmented, and insufficiently documented, limiting their potential for wider replication and policy integration.
Anchored on the theme “From Action to Replication: Scaling Up and Deepening the Impact of Small-Scale Fisheries,” the Third Philippines Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium seeks to advance the discourse from isolated success stories toward systematic scaling, adaptation, and institutionalization of proven practices.
The symposium is guided by a central question: How can effective small-scale fisheries initiatives be replicated and scaled to generate sustainable, inclusive, and long-term impact across Philippine coastal communities?
By convening stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, and fisher organizations, the symposium aims to catalyze evidence-based dialogue, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and identify strategic pathways for translating local innovations into nationally relevant solutions that reinforce resilient coastal livelihoods and sustainable fisheries governance.
By hosting the 2026 Third PSSFNS, Batangas State University – The National Engineering University strengthens its leadership in sustainability, community-based research, and its longstanding engagement with small-scale fishing communities in the Philippines.
This initiative aligns with:
To provide a national platform that advances evidence-based, scalable, and replicable initiatives in small-scale fisheries (SSF), aimed at deepening socio-ecological resilience, inclusive governance, and sustainable coastal development in the Philippines.
Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Philippines, also known as the National Consortium for Small-Scale Fisheries Research and Development, is a national academic and research network that advances knowledge, collaboration, advocacy, and policy engagement on small-scale fisheries in the Philippines. It supports interdisciplinary research, community-based initiatives, and stakeholder partnerships aimed at strengthening the visibility, viability, and sustainability of small-scale fishing communities.
It serves as the Philippine hub of the broader Too Big To Ignore Global network, an international research and knowledge-mobilization partnership that recognizes the critical role of small-scale fisheries in food security, livelihood generation, coastal community resilience, cultural identity, and sustainable aquatic resource governance.
Batangas State University (BatStateU), officially designated as the Philippines’ National Engineering University by virtue of Republic Act No. 11694, stands as the country’s largest engineering institution with over 64,000 students across 12 campuses in CALABARZON. Boasting a 120-year legacy, this Level IV, ISO 9001:2015 certified state university is globally recognized for its academic excellence, holding prestigious ABET accreditations for its engineering, computer science, and information technology programs, alongside multiple CHED Centers of Excellence and Development. Beyond engineering, BatStateU serves as a vital economic and innovation hub, hosting the country's first PEZA-registered Knowledge, Innovation, and Science Technology (KIST) Park and various regional research centers. Strongly committed to the 2030 Global Goals, the university actively integrates environmental stewardship through its Center for Sustainable Development—earning it a spot as the 239th World's Most Sustainable University in the 2025 UI GreenMetric rankings—while simultaneously securing high marks in the 2025 WURI and THE Impact Rankings as a premier institution developing tomorrow's leaders for the global knowledge economy.
Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Philippines – The National Consortium for Small-Scale Fisheries Research and Development.
TO BE UPDATED SOON
| Date | Activities |
|---|---|
| June 15, 2026 |
Call for Abstracts (Scientific and Arts Sessions; Student Oral and Poster Competitions) Call for Entries for the Student Competitions (Vlogs for SSF, Fishing for Solutions) Call for Entries in the Marketplace/Exhibits Call for Partners and Sponsors |
| July 31, 2026 | Deadline for Abstract Submission (Scientific and Arts Sessions; Student Competitions) Extended Abstract Submission Deadline: August 15,2026 |
| August 15, 2026 | Release of Results of Abstract Submission (Scientific and Arts Sessions; Student Competitions) |
| September 15, 2026 | Deadline for Registration of Presenters and Competition Participants |
| October 2, 2026 | Deadline for Registration of Non-Presenters |
| October 4, 2026 | Deadline of Competition Submission (Vlogs for SSF, Fishing for Solutions, Oral Speed Presentation, Poster Presentation) |
| October 21, 2026 | Start of Symposium Proper |
TO BE UPDATED SOON
TO BE UPDATED SOON
TO BE UPDATED SOON
Authors and practitioners are highly encouraged to map their conceptual summaries to the following purely scientific and technical core tracks. Abstracts are welcome even if your topic does not fit neatly into one of the session themes below:
Please do not hesitate to submit your abstract to PSSFNS 3, even if your topic does not fit neatly into one of the scientific session themes listed above.
The Philippines Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS 3) welcomes the submission of abstracts for papers for individual presentation in scientific oral and poster sessions/competitions.
This is open to anyone interested in presenting work done in small-scale fisheries under regular concurrent sessions as an oral presentation or as poster presentation, or as an entry to student oral speed presentation competition or student poster presentation competition.
All presentations in concurrent sessions will be carefully managed by session chairs. Additional guidelines will be sent to the corresponding author of the accepted abstracts.
*Only accepted abstracts of symposium-registered authors will be included in the Book of Abstracts and Souvenir Program, and allowed presentation.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 31 July 2026 | Deadline for submission of abstracts (23:59, The Philippines Time, UTC+8) |
| 15 August 2026 | Notifications for accepted papers and sessions will be sent out not later than this date |
| 15 September 2026 | Deadline for Authors of accepted abstracts to register for the symposium AND deadline for Final abstracts submission for inclusion in the symposium’s Book of Abstracts and Souvenir Program |
| 04 October 2026 | Deadline for all student competition entries (Video, Script, and Digital Poster) |
| 14 October 2026 | Deadline for regular presentation materials |
All abstracts will undergo a review by the committee assigned to the session under which the abstract was submitted.
The Third Philippines Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS 3) welcomes the submission of abstracts for creative works for individual presentation in artistic sessions.
This is open to anyone interested in presenting a creative work focusing on the subject of small-scale fisheries. Artists whose works are accepted will have the chance to give a short presentation about their works during the artistic sessions of the symposium.
Presentation: During the artistic session, the artists will present a 10- minute lecture about their creative work. The presentation should contain a discussion of the intention and conceptual basis of the creative works in relation to the symposium themes. Artists should submit to the symposium organizer their presentation on or before 14 October 2026. The presentation should be saved in Microsoft PowerPoint Format (at least 2010 version) with slide numbers at the lower right corner. The Secretariat will no longer accept presentations on the day of the symposium. Once all presenters are done, there will be a question-and-answer time.
All presentations in the artistic sessions will be carefully managed by session chairs. Guidelines for the presentation will be sent to the corresponding author of the accepted abstracts.
Only accepted abstracts of symposium-registered artists will be included in the symposium’s Book of Abstracts and Souvenir Program, and allowed presentation.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 31 July 2026 | The deadline for submission of abstracts (*23:59, The Philippines Time, UTC+8). All abstracts will undergo a review by the committee assigned to the session under which the abstract was submitted. |
| 15 August 2026 | Notifications for accepted papers and sessions will be sent out by this date. |
| 15 September 2026 | Authors of accepted abstracts must register for the joint symposium on or before this date. Final abstracts are required on or before this date for inclusion in the symposium’s Book of Abstracts and Souvenir Program. |
| 14 October 2026 | Deadline for artists to submit their presentation to the symposium organizer. |
The creative works may relate to the following symposium themes:
By submitting an entry to PSSFNS3 artistic sessions, the author gives consent to the organizers to publish his/her name, affiliation, entry title, and the actual presentation in the symposium and other related websites, social and mainstream media, symposium e-publication and printed materials, and other venues deemed necessary by the symposium organizer.
The Philippines Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS 3) implements four official student competition categories. All submissions must strictly follow the prescribed guidelines below.
The competition is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Interested students who wish to participate in the competition must submit an abstract in accordance with the prescribed Abstract Submission Guidelines, including the stated eligibility requirements. Submitted abstracts will be evaluated by the Student Oral Speed Presentation Competition Committee. Corresponding and/or presenting authors will be notified on August 15, 2026 whether their entries have qualified for the competition.
Accepted entries for the competition must register for the Symposium not later than September 15, 2026.
Accepted entries shall be required to submit a five-minute prerecorded video and the script of the presentation on or before October 4, 2026.
Consent from all collaborators must be secured prior to the submission of entries for the competition. Submission of an entry to the Student Oral Speed Presentation Competition grants permission to the organizers of the Third Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS 3) to use the abstract, prerecorded video, images, and other related materials for the Symposium website, official social media platforms, mainstream media releases, symposium e-publications, printed materials, and other venues or platforms deemed necessary by the organizers.
| Criteria | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Originality and creativity | 25% |
| Organization and logical presentation of ideas | 25% |
| Oral presentation and delivery | 25% |
| Neatness and clarity of presentation slides | 10% |
| Q&A Session: Ability to answer questions | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Winners will be announced during the Closing Ceremony on October 23, 2026.
Certificates of Recognition shall be awarded to all major winners and their advisers. Certificates of Participation shall also be given to all participating entries in the competition.
Note For the competition to proceed, a minimum of six qualified submissions must be received per category.
The competition is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Interested students who wish to participate in the competition must submit an abstract in accordance with the prescribed Abstract Submission Guidelines, including the stated eligibility requirements. Submitted abstracts will be evaluated by the Student Poster Presentation Competition Committee. Corresponding and/or presenting authors will be notified on August 15, 2026 whether their entries have qualified for the competition.
Accepted entries for the competition must register for the Symposium not later than September 15, 2026.
Accepted entries shall be required to submit a one-page digital poster on or before October 4, 2026.
Consent from all collaborators must be secured prior to the submission of entries for the competition. Submission of an entry to the Student Poster Presentation Competition grants permission to the organizers of the Third Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS 3) to use the abstract, digital poster, images, and other related materials for the Symposium website, official social media platforms, mainstream media releases, symposium e-publications, printed materials, and other venues or platforms deemed necessary by the organizers.
| Criteria | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scholarly content | 35% |
| Quality of poster appearance and presentation | 35% |
| Overall impression and significance of the research | 15% |
| Q&A Session: ability to answer questions | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
Winners will be announced during the Closing Ceremony on October 23, 2026.
Certificates of Recognition shall be awarded to all major winners and their advisers. Certificates of Participation shall also be given to all participating entries in the competition.
For the competition to proceed, a minimum of six qualified submissions must be received per category.
Documenting Small Stories with Big Impact
Theme of the Competition Small-Scale Fisheries as a Way of Life
The competition is open to graduate and undergraduate students who are 18 years old and above. Each entry may be submitted by an individual student or by a team composed of a maximum of three members.
Interested participants must submit an abstract of their proposed vlog idea related to the competition theme on or before August 15, 2026 at 23:59 Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8). The prescribed abstract template must be used. Participants must also indicate the selected sub-theme, either Bright Spot or Hope Spot.
The abstract may be written in English or Filipino. It must be prepared on one page only, using standard A4 paper in portrait orientation. Margins must be set at one inch on all sides. The abstract must use Arial, 12-point font, with 1.5 line spacing. Paragraphs must be separated by a blank line and should not be indented.
The abstract must be saved and submitted in MS Word format. The filename should follow this format: SSF Student Vlog_Sub Themes_Surname of Corresponding Author_First Three Words of the Vlog Title
Example: SSF Student Vlog_Bright Spots_DelaCruz_Life by the Sea
Authors of accepted abstracts shall submit their final vlog entries to the symposium organizer on or before October 4, 2026.
Authors and team members of accepted vlog entries must register for the Symposium not later than September 15, 2026.
All qualified vlog entries will be made available for viewing during the Symposium.
| Component | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Abstract | 30% |
| Vlog Entry | 70% |
| Total | 100% |
Winners will be announced during the Closing Ceremony on October 23, 2026.
Certificates of Recognition shall be awarded to the major winners and their advisers. Certificates of Participation shall be given to all registered competing entries.
Note For the competition to proceed, a minimum of six qualified submissions must be received per category.
The competition is open to graduate and undergraduate students who are 18 years old and above. Each team must be composed of three (3) to five (5) members and must have one faculty mentor.
Interested participants must submit an abstract of their proposed idea or solution addressing any gap, issue, or problem related to the theme of the Symposium. Abstracts must be submitted through the abstract submission portal on the Symposium website on or before July 31, 2026 at 23:59 Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8).
The abstract must contain the following information:
The prescribed abstract template must be used. Abstracts must be written in English, the official language of the Symposium. The abstract must be prepared on one page only, using standard A4 paper in portrait orientation. Margins must be set at one inch on all sides. The text must use 12-point Arial font with 1.15 line spacing. Paragraphs must be separated by a blank line and should not be indented.
The abstract must be saved and submitted in MS Word format. The filename should follow this format: Fishing for Solutions_Surname of Corresponding Author_First Three Words of Abstract Title
Example:
Fishing for Solutions_DelaCruz_Sustainable Gear Innovation
The Fishing for Solutions Competition Committee shall evaluate submitted abstracts based on technical merit and relevance to the Symposium theme. The decision of the said Committee shall be final and non-negotiable.
Authors who submitted abstracts for the Fishing for Solutions Competition will be notified on or before August 15, 2026 whether their abstracts have been accepted.
Authors and team members of accepted entries must register for the Symposium not later than September 15, 2026. Registration is required for the official inclusion of the entry in the competition.
Authors of accepted abstracts shall submit a 15-minute prerecorded video and the script of their presentation to the Symposium organizer on or before October 4, 2026. Detailed guidelines on video and script submission shall be provided to the authors of accepted abstracts.
Consent from all collaborators, participants, and individuals appearing in the video must be secured prior to the submission of entries for the competition. Submission of an entry to the Fishing for Solutions Competition grants permission to the organizers of the Third Philippine Small-Scale Fisheries National Symposium (PSSFNS 3) to use the abstract, video, images, and other related materials for the Symposium website, official social media platforms, mainstream media releases, symposium e-publications, printed materials, and other venues or platforms deemed necessary by the organizers.
| Criteria | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Clarity of the problem presented | 25% |
| Clarity and soundness of the proposed solution process | 25% |
| Workability and feasibility of the proposed solution | 25% |
| Potential impact of the proposed solution when implemented | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Winners will be announced during the Closing Ceremony on October 23, 2026.
Certificates of Recognition shall be awarded to the three major winners and their faculty mentors. Certificates of Participation shall be given to all competing entries.
For the competition to proceed, a minimum of six qualified submissions must be received.
REGISTRATION FEES: The registration fees for PSSFNS 3 are presented below. Registration shall entitle participants to admission to the symposium, the opportunity to present their work, access to networking activities, a Certificate of Recognition for presenters, a Certificate of Participation, an electronic copy of the Book of Abstracts, an electronic copy of the Symposium Souvenir Program, an electronic copy of the Symposium Proceedings, meals and snacks during the symposium proper, and attendance at the welcome dinner.
| Category | From TBTI Philippines Member | From Non-TBTI Philippines Member |
|---|---|---|
| Student | ₱ 2,500 | ₱ 3,500 |
| Non-Student | ₱ 6,000 | ₱ 7,000 |
Newly graduated students from Academic Year 2025–2026 shall still be considered eligible for the student registration rate. Student participants may submit either a copy of their official student ID or their Certificate of Registration.
Note: Participants affiliated with any of the forty-eight (48) TBTI Philippines member-HEIs are required to submit a copy of their official institutional ID for verification purposes.
At present, TBTI Philippines has forty-eight (48) higher education institution members, namely:
| 1. University of the Philippines Visayas (Founding Organization) | 25. Mindanao State University – General Santos of Technology |
| 2. Aklan State University | 26. Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute |
| 3. Batangas State University ARASOF-Nasugbu | 27. Mindanao State University – Lanao National College of Arts and Trades |
| 4. Biliran Province State University - Biliran | 28. Mindanao State University-Maguindanao |
| 5. Bohol Island State University | 29. Mindanao State University-Main Campus |
| 6. Camarines Norte State College | 30. Mindanao State University at Naawan |
| 7. Capiz State University | 31. Mindanao State University - Sulu |
| 8. Carcar City College | 32. Mindanao State University - Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography |
| 9. Carlos Hilado Memorial State University | 33. Mindoro State University |
| 10. Catanduanes State University | 34. Northern Iloilo State University |
| 11. Central Bicol State University of Agriculture | 35. Nueva Vizcaya State University |
| 12. Central Luzon State University | 36. Partido State University |
| 13. Central Mindanao University | 37. Pampanga State Agricultural University |
| 14. Central Philippines State University | 38. Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology |
| 15. Cebu Technological University | 39. Southern Leyte State University |
| 16. Cavite State University – Naic Campus | 40. Southern Luzon State University |
| 17. Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University | 41. State University of Northern Negros |
| 18. Eastern Visayas State University | 42. University of Antique |
| 19. Guimaras State University | 43. University of the Philippines Los Baños Campus |
| 20. Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology | 44. University of the Philippines-Mindanao |
| 21. Jose Rizal Memorial State University | 45. Visayas State University |
| 22. Mariano Marcos State University | 46. Western Philippines University |
| 23. Marinduque State College | 47. Western Mindanao State University |
| 24. Mindanao State University-Buug | 48. Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology |
| Dates | Details |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | Symposium Registration Starts |
| September 15, 2026 |
Registration ends for presenters (those with accepted abstracts in the scientific sessions and art sessions) Registration ends for those entering the competitions (student oral speed presentation, student poster presentation, vlogs for SSF, and fishing for solution) Symposium registration is required for inclusion of abstract in the Book of Abstracts and for the presentation to be included in the Symposium Program |
| October 2, 2026 | Registration ends for those with no presentations |
Group registration is available for groups with five or more participants. Please follow the steps below:
| Bank Details | |
|---|---|
| Bank Account Name | UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES VISAYAS FOUNDATION, INC. |
| Beneficiary Bank Account No. | CURRENT ACCOUNT NO. 311370000810 |
| Beneficiary Bank Name | PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK (PNB) |
| Branch Name | PNB MIAGAO BRANCH |
| Bank Address | ONE TGN BUILDING, CORNER STO. TOMAS-NOBLE STREETS, 5023 MIAGAO, ILOILO, PHILIPPINES |
| BSB/Sort/ABA/Swift Code | ROUTING NO. 026003007; SWIFT CODE: PNB MPHMM |
| Bank Account Type (Currency Type) | PHILIPPINE PESO |
| Beneficiary Bank Contact Person (If applicable) | Ms. Cathy Cadiena Phone: +63(033) – 3158201 Email: miagao@pnb.com.ph |
| UPV Foundation, Inc. Phone Nos. | Telefax No. +63 (033) 3159033 Trunk Line Nos +63 (033) 3159631-32 local 182 |
Please note that registration fees are non-refundable. Cancellation of registration shall not entitle the participant to a refund.
For inquiries or concerns, please contact the Conference Organizer through this email address: info.pssfns3@g.batstate-u.edu.ph.
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For clarifications, institutional sponsorships, abstract inquiries, or registration verification, reach out to our corresponding helpdesks:
Email: info.pssfns3@g.batstate-u.edu.ph
Contact number: 09178909620