Supply Chain Analysis for the Philippine Abalone

Philippine abalone (Haliotis asinina) is the most abundant abalone species in the Philippines and is collected from the wild by either gleaning or diving. Abalone has a strong export potential especially to countries in East Asia. The country’s highest volume of export was in 2004 with more than 600,000 kg valued at USD 3 million but the volume has continuously dropped. In 2012, the volume of abalone exports is only 300,000 kg valued at USD 1.5 million. This study examined the Philippine abalone industry using the supply chain analysis framework. This is a pioneering and exploratory research on the industry that surveyed 153 collectors from four major production areas in Iloilo, Palawan, Tawi-tawi, and Eastern Visayas; 41 traders; 29 trader-processors; and 7 exporters. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions were also employed. Results revealed that the abalone industry is solely dependent on supply from the wild and its sustainability is at risk given increased fishing activity due to increased demand in the world market, unregulated collection of brood stock and small-sized abalone, destructive collection practices, occurrence of natural calamities, and absence of policies on the management of abalone fisheries. Other findings are weak chain transparency and coordinative mechanisms, absence of common standards for classification and product processing, insufficiency of capital, and logistical issues. Policy recommendations are put forward to protect and increase the existing abalone stock from the wild alongside the development of abalone aquaculture

Philippine Tourism: Evolution towards Sustainability

Tourism industry in the Philippines has been identified as one of the powerful engines for a strong and sustained economic growth. To determine whether the Philippine tourism industry is moving towards sustainable development, this paper explores the evolution of the tourism industry in the Philippines by tracing its historical transformations and determining its typology. Four major periods has been recognized, namely: 1] pre-martial law era (years before 1972); 2] martial law era (1972-1986); 3] post-martial law era (1986-2000); and 4] 21st century era (2001-present). The eras are based on the country’s major political regimes. Corresponding events and numerous initiatives undertaken by the government agencies, non-government organizations and private sectors that significantly affect the tourism industry are described and analyzed. It is concluded that tourism is a well established industry in the Philippines that contributes to an inclusive economic growth of the country. The continued concerted efforts of all the stakeholders of the industry in the implementation of all these initiatives will surely lead to a sustainable Philippine tourism

Philippine Tourism: Evolution towards Sustainability

Tourism industry in the Philippines has been identified as one of the powerful engines for a strong and sustained economic growth. To determine whether the Philippine tourism industry is moving towards sustainable development, this paper explores the evolution of the tourism industry in the Philippines by tracing its historical transformations and determining its typology. Four major periods has been recognized, namely: 1] pre-martial law era (years before 1972); 2] martial law era (1972-1986); 3] post-martial law era (1986-2000); and 4] 21st century era (2001-present). The eras are based on the country’s major political regimes. Corresponding events and numerous initiatives undertaken by the government agencies, non-government organizations and private sectors that significantly affect the tourism industry are described and analyzed. It is concluded that tourism is a well established industry in the Philippines that contributes to an inclusive economic growth of the country. The continued concerted efforts of all the stakeholders of the industry in the implementation of all these initiatives will surely lead to a sustainable Philippine tourism

Distinct Stocks of the Redtail Scad <i>Decapterus kurroides</i> Bleeker, 1855 (Perciformes: Carangidae) from the Northern Sulu and Southern Sibuyan Seas, Philippines Revealed from Otolith Morphometry and Shape Analysis

A recent study was performed to assess the morphometric variation of otoliths of the Decapterus kurroides collected in the northern Sulu and southern Sibuyan seas in delineating fish stocks. Seven of the otolith morphometric descriptors (otolith length, OL; otolith height, OH; otolith weight OW; otolith area, OA; otolith perimeter, OP; ellipticity, EL; and aspect ratio, AR) demonstrated a significant positive correlation with fish length and six (rectangularity, RE; squareness, SQ; roundness, RO; circularity, CI; compactness, CO; and form factor, FF) demonstrated a significant negative correlation. In terms of intraspecific comparisons, almost all the otolith morphometric descriptors were significantly different between the two sites (except RE and OH). Further, principal component (PC) analysis showed that direct otolith morphometric descriptors such as OL, OH, OW, OA, and OP explained 61.71% of the differences (PC1). In contrast, derived otolith descriptors such as EL, AR, and CO explained 22.00% of the variations (PC2) for a total of 83.71% explained variations with the eight otolith morphometric descriptors. Statistics reveal that D. kurroides from the Sibuyan Sea have significantly larger, heavier, and more elliptical otoliths than those from the Sulu Sea. Results suggested that the D. kurroides from Sulu and Sibuyan seas are two different phenotypic stocks. Further studies such as otolith microchemistry, genetics, other life history-based studies, and present exploitation levels should be carried out to supplement the results of this study to fully establish the D. kurroides stock structures within Philippine waters