Addressing Small Scale Fisheries Management through Participatory Action Research (PAR), an Experience from the Philippines

This case demonstrates the potential of addressing small scale fisheries management through participatory action research (PAR) in one of the CRP 1.3/AAS sites in the Philippines. Following the iterative process of PAR, a series of focus group discussions (FGDs) to reflect on the issues and concerns of small scale fishermen (SSF) in Barangay Binitinan, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Philippines was carried out from February to May, 2014. This was followed by the conduct of consultative workshop among stakeholders in SSF in June 2014, the main objective of which was to develop a collective action plan for the management of said resource. The FGDs employed facilitated iteration and reflection of issues affecting various groups of small scale fishing community, while the Consultative Workshop among stakeholders used the appreciation-influence-control model of participatory stakeholder engagement (Ratner 2011).Consequently, various stakeholders of small scale fisheries begin to understand, appreciate and take actions together. A feeling of trust and confidence among them begin to develop which enabled them to craft a collective action plan on sustainable management and governance of municipal waters and fisheries resources. Aside from these outcomes, these processes led to the admission of “sahid” (beach seine) operators that they are indeed using illegal gear, that their gear would be replaced by the legal one by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), that the Law Enforcers would implement the Law and the small scale fishermen would abide the rules and would be apprehended by Law Enforcers once they violate the rules and the LGUs asking stakeholders to feedback the amendments necessary to make municipal ordinances well fitted to them. Another major outcome of these processes was the identification of research topics which the stakeholders identified to be necessary so that science-based productivity and governance decisions can be put in place. All of these activities fall within the PAR processes

Securing a just space for small-scale fisheries in the blue economy

The vast developmental opportunities offered by the world\u27s coasts and oceans have attracted the attention of governments, private enterprises, philanthropic organizations, and international conservation organizations. High-profile dialogue and policy decisions on the future of the ocean are informed largely by economic and ecological research. Key insights from the social sciences raise concerns for food and nutrition security, livelihoods and social justice, but these have yet to gain traction with investors and the policy discourse on transforming ocean governance. The largest group of ocean-users - women and men who service, fish and trade from small-scale fisheries (SSF) - argue that they have been marginalized from the dialogue between international environmental and economic actors that is determining strategies for the future of the ocean. Blue Economy or Blue Growth initiatives see the ocean as the new economic frontier and imply an alignment with social objectives and SSF concerns. Deeper analysis reveals fundamental differences in ideologies, priorities and approaches. We argue that SSF are being subtly and overtly squeezed for geographic, political and economic space by larger scale economic and environmental conservation interests, jeopardizing the substantial benefits SSF provide through the livelihoods of millions of women and men, for the food security of around four billion consumers globally, and in the developing world, as a key source of micro-nutrients and protein for over a billion low-income consumers. Here, we bring insights from social science and SSF to explore how ocean governance might better account for social dimensions of fisheries

Mariculture development and livelihood diversification in the Philippines

This paper aims to evaluate mariculture as sustainable livelihood diversification option for coastal fishers in the Philippines and guide policy development in this direction. Mariculture in the Philippines refers to the culture of finfishes, shellfish, seaweeds and other commodities in cages, pens, stakes and rafts in marine environment. This paper evaluates the biophysical and socioeconomic contexts in which mariculture operate. Ten years after launching the first mariculture park organized and managed by the country's government fishery agency, and the nationwide promotion of this program, only 273 ha or 0.54% of the 50,150 ha total area planned for development has been established. Mariculture has not met its expected results due to a number of problems. This paper revisits the policies, organization, governance and administration of mariculture parks in the country. It also discusses the issues and challenges with mariculture as a livelihood diversification option within the context of ecosystems approach to fisheries management in the Philippines

Impacts of Fisheries Management and Policy Scenarios in Sarangani and Sulu-Sulawesi Seas on Philippine Tuna Industry: Simulations from the AsiaFish Model

This paper explores the likely future impacts on the Philippine tuna industry of three possible fisheries management scenarios using a multi-market model known as AsiaFish. Simulation results showed that a scenario of restricted access to High Seas Pocket 1 adversely affects fishers and consumers as well as export revenues due to less tuna produced and higher tuna prices. In the scenario of stricter regulations in EU and US markets, tuna producers are affected negatively but these impacts are weakened by higher consumption of tuna. The combined effect from the two scenarios results in higher consumer prices, and lower imports and domestic consumption. In all three scenarios, over -all fish output is expected to fall. These results highlight the major consequences of noncompliance with imminent regional and global policies and regulations and provide useful information that can guide crafting of pre-emptive local strategies to address these foreseen challenges in the future

Challenges and Opportunities in Implementing the Ecosystem Approach to Small-scale Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Misamis Occidental, Philippines

This paper presents the challenges and opportunities of small-scale fisheries management in Misamis Occidental, especially in the coastal municipalities of Aloran, Jimenez, Lopez Jaena, Panaon, Plaridel, Sinacaban, Tudela, and Oroquieta City. A site diagnosis was conducted as part of the participatory diagnosis and adaptive management framework to characterize the governance of small-scale fisheries in the area and to determine the potential for adopting the ecosystem approach to fisheries. Stakeholders identified, in order of priority, the following issues affecting fisheries and coastal resource management in Iligan Bay: depleted fishery resources, lack of alternative livelihood, and limited institutional capabilities. In a united response, the local government units in the area formed the Iligan Bay Alliance of Misamis Occidental, through which they explore opportunities to address issues and to restore and sustain the fisheries in Iligan Bay

Operationalizing the Ecosystem Approach to Small-Scale Fisheries Management in the Philippines: The Iligan Bay Alliance of Misamis Occidental

This paper describes the application of the participatory diagnosis and adaptive management (PDAM) framework to analyze the governance of small-scale fisheries and the potential for adopting the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) in Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Using the Rapid Appraisal of a Fisheries Management System (RAFMS) as a complementary methodology, the paper provides key information on stakeholders’ perception on scaling-up of fisheries management. More specifically, the paper focuses on the strengthening of the Iligan Bay Alliance for Misamis Occidental (IBAMO), a multi-stakeholder body to provide a governance framework for inter-LGU collaboration. Stakeholder participation during the diagnostic phase is also described as well as potential areas for capacity building in addition to information and education activities that are needed to promote EAF in this important fisheries area

Challenges and Opportunities for Giant Freshwater Prawn Culture through Participatory Learning and Fish Farmer Engagements

This paper provides a review of on-farm studies conducted to explore the viability of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii, locally known as ulang), culture in six regions in the Philippines. We adopted a participatory action learning approach aimed at improving pond productivity through engagement of 17 small-scale fish-farmer cooperators to adopt different ulang culture systems—ulang monoculture, ulang-rice polyculture, and ulang-tilapia polyculture. This paper focuses on comparing the production and profitability of ulang monoculture and ulang-tilapia polyculture. The cooperators were guided to follow proper protocols in pond preparation, feeding, and water management. Results showed an average survival rate of 65 percent for ulang monoculture; and 59 percent and 77 percent survival rates for ulang and tilapia in polyculture system, respectively. The major problems encountered across regions were unavailability of post-larvae; distance of post-larvae source; water availability; presence of predators; and inconsistent implementation of technical interventions by the cooperators. This paper also presents research and policy recommendations toward sustainable development of freshwater prawn culture which include establishment of a network of hatcheries and broodstock development; technology promotion and extension services; and improving value chains and market strategy