Abstract.A sampling survey of Philippine small pelagic fisheries was undertaken between 1987 and 1988 at eight sites in the Philippines. A description is given of the different fishing methods and estimates are made of catch per unit of effort and catch composition. Catches of sardines and anchovies dominated the landings of small‐scale small pelagic gears whilst roundscads were an important catch component of large‐scale fishing vessels. A first attempt to describe the overall species composition of the Philippine small pelagic landings was made using the sampling data and annual fisheries statistics for the years 1982‐1986. Ten species of scad, mackerel and anchovy comprised 75% of the Philippine small pelagic landings. These results are discussed with respect to improving monitoring and sampling programmes designed to provide management‐related info