Contribution of artisanal fishing towards socio-economic recovery
Fishing industry in the Philippines plays a pivotal role in the overall economy as well as in the social re-structuring of their own communities.
The inland and coastal waters are traditional fishing grounds for small-scale and municipal fisher folks. Inland water of 350,000 hectares - lakes, rivers, brackish water, swamps are mostly polluted. Coastal waters of insular shelf (about 18 million hectares) have degraded ecosystems and dwindling fish stocks. Mangroves, coral reefs and sea grass beds which support fishes have been extensively destroyed. Less than 10% (nearly half million hectares) of mangroves and only 5 % (3 million hectares) of coral reef remain undisturbed. The Philippines once known for its rich natural resources, has a limited and depleted resources at present.
Fish production in 1988 valued at P42 billion and contributed 4.5% to the Gross National Product. 20% fisheries out of the total production in agriculture valued at p H P 212 billion. Total fish production in agriculture was 2.27 million tons of which 64% was from marine capture, 26% from aquaculture, and 10% from inland capture. Fisheries exports in 1988 was 129,000 tons valued at P H P 9.6 billion. The bulk was shrimp 55% and 24% for tuna. Fisheries import was 165 million tons at P H P 1.31 billion, 44% fish meals and 43% frozen sardines and mackerel. Per capita consumption was 40.5 kg/year compared with 15.7 kg/year of dairy products and 13.2 kg/year of poultry and livestock.
Out of 58 million people in 1988, 48% in labor force was directly employed in agriculture. One million employed in fisheries (750,000 capture fisheries and 250,000 aquaculture).
The goal of the Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development (PSSD) indicates that sustainable development stresses the need to view environment protection and economic growth as mutually compatible. This implies the growth objectives should be compatible not only to the needs of society but also to the natural dynamics and carrying capacity of the ecosystem.
In a span of fifty years, traditional social relations have changed variedly due to environmental, social and technological factors. Because of the rapid changes affecting the society, fishing technology, economy, as well as religious beliefs and practices, there is a need to study the fishing activities, market, circulation system and social construction of the fishing communities.
The small-scale family based fishermen use various fishing technologies in their areas, based on traditional reciprocal relation. The sea is the basis of subsistence and communication. Catholicism and the persistence of the fishing ritual practices work as integral component in fishing communities.
'People' are considered as one of the most valued resources in any organization. For the development of human resources, education plays an important role. Hence, educators are considered to be one of the most important factors in development. Educators are responsible for the training of the youth and can contribute significantly in the critical issues of environmental concerns.
Numerous action-oriented programmes have been initiated by many government agencies. The effectiveness of these programmes will depend on the various participatory approaches taken to build awareness and skills of fisher folks. One has to learn from them, talk with the people about their problems, opportunities, inventory of resource, the dominant occupation in the community (fishermen, farmers), different species of fish catch, identify the poor, survey the households gather and market information, availability of catch, seasonal availability, taste, etc. Encourage communication and interaction between fisher folks and extension workers. In these approaches, the fisherfolks may perhaps feel comfortable to share their needs. In this context, the educators-teachers can greatly help in people in decision making processes.
The following suggestions are proposed to strengthen the artisanal fisheries communities in the Philippines:
(a) engage more students involved in fisheries undergraduate studies, doing practicum, graduate students in fisheries and related marine sciences;
(b) due to the over-fishing and destruction of resources for the rehabilitation of the marine environment, emphasize resource management programs rather than production oriented programs;
(c) improve fishing gears and techniques;
(d) promote integrated culture and seafarming (polyculture-3-4 organisms of different feeding habits, use of natural food, plankton floating, benthos detritus and pellets);
(e) encourage coastal water farming (seaweed, oyster, mussel);
(f) promote alternative sources of livelihood provided by the government for effective management programmes to reduce fishing efforts;
(g) promote tenure system and open access by the government on territorial rights; and
(h) expand substantially the family planning programs and responsible parenthood programmes.
Thus the major recommendations have been for the promotion of human resources development through education, research, training and effective project implementation.
