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An Analysis on Access, Use, and Control of Coastal Resources in Two Agroecological Philippine Villages
Abstract:
The study analyzed structural (tenurial practices/rights) and institutional forces (presence of organized groups and institutional assistance) governing people's endeavor to access and use fishery resources management that affect both socioeconomic and environmental conditions. It aimed to recommend policy interventions to ensure sustainable resource use and management.
The study was conducted in two coastal villages in Batangas, Philippines. Selection was based on the following criteria: "areas with open-access resources;" presence of a resource system (Pansipit river) to observe interactions between upstream and downstream communities; and the dearth of socioeconomic studies on coastal tenure. One hundred fishermen (50 per community) were randomly drawn based on the coefficient of variance with a margin error prescribed at 10 percent. Combinations of research methods were employed. Multiplicity of tests and measures involving descriptive statistics, chi-square test of independence, and the logistic multinomial regression analysis were done.
Under occupational classification where fishing was recorded as the lowliest, results revealed that fishing as a subsistence activity was very depressing. Fishermen-respondents who had low educational attainment, belonged to large nuclear households, and lived simply as shown by the house structures and lack of household facilities. Low income levels indicated poor economic conditions. Inadequacy of skills and long years of fishing experience ruled out the possibility of engaging in other jobs. lmproverishment persisted as they were prone to vices. Their negative perception of life now and in the future manifested a difficult living condition unless drastic changes occur with institutional interventions.
Unlike agricultural farmers, the fishing sector was most neglected with the absence of social and support services from government and nongovernment organizations. No formal fishermen's organization exists today. In the midst of unexpected calamities, the fishermen were critically affected.
An "open-access policy" through possession of fishing licenses and registration permits to use the bay's resources created complex social, economic, legal, and ecological problems. The primary issue lies in defining exclusive municipal fishing boundaries. It was found that fishermen extended their tishing activity beyond the limit set for municipal waters.
In the mid-1980s, small-scale fishermen experienced fish abundance so that they perceived its bounty as inexhaustible although they were gradually decreasing in quantity every year.
Regulations on mesh size, prohibition on the use of illegal paraphernalia, and the intrusion of commercial fishermen in the bay waters had not been strictly enforced. The local government (the enforcing agency) had not paid much attention to coastal-re lated matters.
The need to survive compelled fishermen-respondents to ignore fishing regulations. This implies weak enforcement of the fishery law owing to the local government's lack of personnel assigned to take charge of these matters. There was inadequate information campaign about the fishery law and environmental protection of the bay.
Absence of formal organizations of resident fishermen showed the lack of entry points for dissemination of rural development projects such as extension education activities and the implementation of livelihood projects as alternative income sources.
Whenever natural resource was depleted, access-users tended to encounter varied conflicts. This requires a strict enforcement of municipal fishing regulations which wi ll help them replenish, increase the quantity, and improve the quality of fish harvest.
Uncertain resource availability as indicated by low fish catch should prompt government and private agencies concerned to undertake information campaigns on environmental conservation and protection. If external agencies could not have concerted efforts, fishermen themselves must pool efforts in this ecological responsibility.
Quantitative ana lysis revealed that longer fishing experience of respondents increased their awareness of the coastal resource as well as the perceived responsibilities of residents to protect it. Their heightened awareness of the fishery law created competitiveness in fishing activities and enhanced the value of resource protection. The total annual catch was associated with the nature of conflict and the total value of catch per year, with intense competition in fishing, nature of conflict, and village respons ibi lity in maintaining ecological sustainability.