Reaching the poor through aquaculture: The case of technology adoption in rural communities at west central Philippines

Aquaculture is promoted for food security and poverty alleviation in developing countries. This study examines the socio-economic impact of aquaculture technologies extended to calamitystricken rural communities in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, representing the marine water fishery and in Dumarao, Capiz, representing the inland freshwater fishery at west central Philippines. The adoption pathway employed in both sites was community-based and participatory. The survey was conducted among cooperators and non-cooperators, randomly selected in equal numbers in two sites with 60 respondents each per site using a pre-tested interview schedule. Results showed that aquaculture is an acceptable technology both for cooperators and noncooperators. The venture is a profitable business either done individually or collectively through an association, if managed properly. Milkfish cage culture, however, needs big capital that technology adoption among local fisherfolk (Guimaras) is limited. In contrast, tilapia cage culture enables small farmers/fishers in Dumarao to venture on their own. Dumarao growers were able to innovate using local materials like bamboo poles to make their cages afloat instead of drums or plastic containers as buoys. There were, however, environmental, technological and institutional issues deterring technology adoption in both sites. Climate change and institutional issues were the more prevalent concerns of Dumarao growers. The technological issues like fluctuating market price, cost of feeds, and fry supply were more enunciated in Guimaras

Techno-Transfer of Mud Crab Nursery in Ponds: Its Socio-Economic Impact on Small – Scale Mud Crab Produces in Northern Samar, Philippines

The estuaries and coastal waters of Northern Samar are characterized by an abundance of mud crab juveniles (Scylla serrata). These, however, are being overexploited by mud crab collectors with backing from financiers in other islands to the disadvantage of coastal poor producers. The SEAFDEC/AQD technology transfer of mud crab nursery rearing in ponds through its season-long training under the Institutional Capacity Development on Sustainable Aquaculture (ICD-SA) undertaken in Northern Samar adds value to the juveniles and may mitigate the illegal transport of small crabs to other islands. This paper examines the effectiveness of the techno-transfer mechanisms and the socio-economic implications on 60 small-scale mud crab producers randomly selected in four study sites at Northern Samar. Results indicated that the technology demonstration is a viable enterprise for it can provide additional income of about PhP 14,318 in six months in a 200 m2 pond. The majority (83%) of producer-respondents showed interest in adopting the technology.Keywords: Fisheries Management, Managing Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectors Part I, Fisheries EconomicsKeywords: Fisheries Management, Managing Development of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sectors Part I, Fisheries Economic

Community-based shrimp stock enhancement for coastal socio-ecological restoration in the Philippines

The reality of declining quality of coastal areas has been evident for many developing countries, especially in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, rural coastal zones and estuaries are now being characterized by declining wild fisheries resources and degrading environment. This paper presents, as an example, the typical rural coastal towns of New Washington and Batan in Aklan province, Philippines and showcases how the concept of shrimp stock enhancement can provide incentives to restore the environment and provide sustainable fishing livelihood in the area. The New Washington-Batan Estuary in northeast Panay Island, Philippines was a productive fishing ground that has been in a state of degenerating brackishwater fisheries and estuarine environment. Average daily catch composed of various species decreased from 24 kg in 1970s to 0.7 kg at present. Shrimp fisheries, the most important livelihood, declined in quality and quantity. The highly-priced and once very abundant tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon was replaced with smaller-sized and lower-priced species like the Metapenaeus ensis. These can be attributed to the conversion of 76% of mangroves to culture ponds in the past 50 years and more than 400% increase in fishing gears since the 1990s. The need to reduce fishing structures and rehabilitate mangroves is evident. However, these drastic changes directly affect fishers livelihood. This paper explores the prospects of P. monodon stock enhancement as positive reinforcement for the estuary s rehabilitation. Number of gears per fisher may have to be reduced but shrimp catches will be relatively high-priced. Simulations with additional tiger shrimp caught due to stock enhancement show that fishers can increase income by more than 4 times from their current PhP 34 gear-1 day-1. Campaigns on the importance of mangrove especially as shrimp habitat can encourage local communities to reforest the estuary especially in abandoned ponds. With effective management, law enforcement, and sustained support from different sectors, shrimp stock enhancement can be a positive strategy in estuarine rehabilitation and livelihood sustainability in the New Washington-Batan Estuary

Fishing cooperatives’ participation in managing nearshore resources: the case in Capiz, central Philippines

This study documents the resource management initiatives undertaken by fishing cooperatives in Capiz, central Philippines and examines the conditions and the socioeconomic determinants that persuade members to assume responsibility for managing nearshore resources. The results show that in the absence of formal resource management schemes, cooperative members adopt self-management strategies to protect their resource base only if the sustainability of their livelihood is seriously threatened. There is no impediment to female cooperative members (62%) participating in resource management. The factors that positively influenced members’ participation were the number of children, perceived fishery conditions, awareness of mangrove conservation and rehabilitation, and assessment of enforcement of the ban on dynamite and cyanide fishing. Fishing cooperatives, however, fail as a source of information on regulation and conservation education of members. But if they were to undertake more education and training programs on nearshore management, cooperatives may become an effective social force in changing the present fisheries management system.The author would like to acknowledge with thanks the helpful suggestions/comments of Dr. Fe Dolores-Estepa, Ms. Brenda Katon and Ms. Mila Castaños on the manuscript, and the SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department for funding the study. The author also thanks the two anonymous reviewers for providing improvements to this paper