Fish caught by the Lawaan Seaside Fisherfolks Association in Eastern Samar as seen in this May 16, 2026 photo. The group recorded a successful 2.6-ton harvest of high-value fish species from the coastal waters of Lawaan, Eastern Samar under the government’s sustainable and community-driven fishing initiative. (Photo courtesy of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Eastern Visayas)
The Philippines’ vast marine resources are proving to be a powerful economic engine, with the country’s ocean-based industries surpassing the ₱1 trillion mark in 2025 and generating millions of jobs nationwide.
Latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s ocean economy expanded by 5.3 percent to ₱1.08 trillion last year, up from ₱1.02 trillion in 2024. The sector accounted for 3.8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices, underscoring the growing importance of the blue economy in driving national growth.
The robust performance highlights the increasing value of industries linked to the Philippines’ extensive coastlines and marine resources—from fisheries and maritime transport to tourism and marine services.
Among the fastest-growing segments were marine safety, surveillance and resource management, which posted an impressive 31.7 percent growth, followed by marine insurance at 29.6 percent and transportation and storage services at 10.8 percent. The gains reflect rising investments in maritime security, risk management, and logistics infrastructure amid expanding ocean-related economic activities.
Ocean fishing remained the country’s largest contributor to the blue economy, accounting for 24.1 percent of the sector’s total gross value added. It was followed by the manufacture of ocean-based products with a 21.3 percent share, sea-based transportation and storage at 16.3 percent, and coastal accommodation and food and beverage services activities at 12.1 percent.
The figures also underscore the ocean economy’s growing role as a major source of employment. The number of Filipinos employed in ocean-based industries increased by 3.4 percent to 2.46 million in 2025 from 2.38 million in the previous year.
Ocean-related industries now account for 5 percent of the country’s total employment, highlighting their contribution not only to economic output but also to livelihoods across coastal communities and maritime sectors.
Ocean fishing continued to employ the largest share of workers in the sector at 37.8 percent, reflecting the enduring importance of the fisheries industry to the Philippine economy. Sea-based transportation and storage, along with coastal accommodation and food and beverage services, likewise emerged as significant employers as maritime trade and coastal tourism continued to expand.
With the Philippines being one of the world’s largest archipelagic nations, the latest data signals the immense potential of the country’s blue economy to become an even bigger pillar of sustainable and inclusive growth. As investments in marine industries accelerate, the sector is poised to play an increasingly vital role in boosting economic resilience, creating jobs, and unlocking the value of the nation’s rich ocean resources.