Marine protector honored for fighting illegal fishing in the Philippines 

For more than 20 years, Angelique Songco — known in the Philippines as “Mama Ranger” — has worked to protect one of the world’s most important ocean areas: the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, home to more than 1,000 species of coral and fish.

In 2025, Songco was honored by the U.S. Department of State as an International Woman of Courage (IWOC). She received the award for her work protecting the environment, helping local communities, and supporting women leaders in conservation.

The IWOC award was created in 2007. It recognizes women around the world who show bravery and leadership, often at great personal risk or sacrifice. More than 200 women from over 90 countries have received the award. These women advance human rights, the rule of law, and the rights of women and girls, which helps create stronger and more prosperous countries.

Songco has managed Tubbataha Reefs since 2001. Under her leadership, the park has become a model for marine protection. The park covers nearly 100,000 hectares in the Sulu Sea and is home to over 360 species of coral and nearly 700 types of fish. It also helps local communities by supporting ecotourism and sustainable fishing.

But the park still faces threats from illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Many of these perpetrators come from other countries and fish without permission, take too many fish, and employ fishing techniques that damage coral reefs and harm sea life. This kind of fishing breaks local laws, threatens food supplies and takes jobs away from local communities.

The Philippines is not the only country with this problem. IUU fishing is a global issue and has hurt ocean life and coastal communities in the South China Sea, across the Indo-Pacific, and even in places like Tanzania and Ghana. Large, industrialized fishing fleets often ignore local rules, use damaging nets that drag across the sea floor, and compete with local fishermen, devastating livelihoods. In some cases, these foreign boats have even sunk small local boats.

Thanks to Songco’s leadership, illegal fishing in the protected waters around Tubbataha has declined. She and her team have improved patrols, educated the community, and trained park rangers to better protect the area. Her work not only saves the ocean, it also supports fair rules, good leadership, and trust between people and their government.

The United States works with the Philippines and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region to fight IUU fishing. These efforts include training, using satellite tools, and working together on ocean security. These partnerships support local leaders like Songco, whose efforts help protect shared natural resources and local economies.

Angelique Songco’s IWOC award shows how one person’s dedication can make a global difference. Her bravery in protecting marine life and standing up to illegal fishing is a powerful example of the change strong women can lead around the world.