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Orientation Course On Fisheries Sector Program And Coastal Resource Management Planning

Fisheries Sector Program (FSP)

Orientation Course On Fisheries Sector Program And Coastal Resource Management Planning

Conducted by:
FSP – Progam Management Office
and
Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources

A PRIME ON FISHERIES SECTOR PROGRAM

BACKGROUND

In May 1988, a comprehensive study of the Fisheries Sector was undertaken. This study highlighted issues which have also been ventilated during the National Fisheries Conference in Baguio City in March 1987. Participants in this conference included representative from various sub-sector of fisheries, from the small scale marginal fishermen to big commercial fishing companies.

To address the major concerns of the sector, the Department of Agriculture with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank is implementing a five-year Fisheries Sector Program starting 1990. The Department puts major priority and urgency into this program in the context of current economic, environmental and poverty alleviation concerns.

PROBLEMS FACING THE FISHERIES SECTOR

1. Resource Depletion in the Coastal Zone

The coastal zone, with its mangrove forests, coral reefs and coastal shelf, is biologically the most productive marine environment. It provides over 75% of our total fishery harvest, estimated at 2.1 million metric ton/year. However, the coastal zone has been under intense pressure from overfishing. It is estimated that fishing effort for small pelagic fishes (or those that swim near the surface of the water) is double that of what is allowed to ensure resource sustainability. The nearshore demersal stock (or bottom-dwelling fishes) is estimated at only 30% of levels existing in the 40’s. The sector study further reports that all of the major bays have now overfished.

2. Widespread Environmental Damage

It has been reported that 70% of the coral reefs have been subjected to major damage. Only 35% of the original mangrove cover believed to exist in 1920’s remains. The National Pollution Control Commission estimates that of the 400 major rivers, 50 are heavily polluted, 10 are virtually dead. “Red Tide” has been seasonally affecting areas.

3. Poverty Among Municipal Fishermen

In the face of deteriorating resource base, the absolute number of municipal fisher folk has increased, on a national basis, by about 50% over the last ten years. Hence, the dual pressure of resource depletion and population growth in the coastal zone has put the municipal family’s economic status increasingly bound and defined by vicious poverty cycle. The sector study reports that the catch per fishermen in regions V, VII, VIII and XI has declined by an average of 42% over the last ten years. Except for four regions (IV, VI, IX and X), the average catch per fishermen in the eight regions does not allow a municipal fisherman to live above the official poverty line. Nationwide, about 80% of the municipal fishing families are estimated to live below the official poverty line.

4. Low Productivity if Aquaculture

The share of aquaculture to the total fisheries production has more than doubled from 11% in 1977 to 25% in 1987. However, inspite of such impressive performances, use of aquaculture resources have been inefficient. The sector study reports that average production of brackish water fishponds in 1987 was one metric ton per hectare per year. This is well below the tourm.t./ha. per year report from other countries.

5. Underexploited Offshore and Exclusive Zone (EEZ) Waters

While both the municipal fishermen and most of our commercial fishermen have been competing with each other in the nearshore grounds, the offshore waters, which constitute 88% of our territorial waters, have remained underexploited. The constraints in exploiting these resources are varied and difficult to assess in terms of their respective impact on productivity. They include high fuel costs, inadequate information on availability of resources in offshore waters, and an aging fishing fleet with growing obsolescence.

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