Practical Analysis on the Status of

Marine Capture Fishery in the Philippines

This paper prepared by Edmundo Enderezis an attempt to make practical analysis on what is happening in
the marine capture fishery and the response to it. The analysis involves pattern in space, pattern in time,
and flow pattern. The approach is practical since: 1) the input can be made available immediately
likethe satellite map, poverty map, Bureau of Agriculture Statistics (BAS) annual marine fish catch data,
and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) data on mariculture projects and 2) the local
fisherfolk can be able to participate in the analysis as well as in formulating proposals, suggestions, and
recommendations.

I. Data on Marine Fish Catch

1. Pattern in Time (national level) - While both commercial and municipal marine fish catch
volume are increasing, the former fish catch growth is slowing down. Between 2004 and 2006, the
decrease in commercial catch has resulted to more increase in municipal fish catch. But between 2006
and 2008, commercial catch increase has accelerated due to the expansion in fishing grounds located
outside of the municipal water and tuna species constitute the bulk of catch increase, while municipal fish
catch is also increasing but at decelerating phase.

2. Pattern in Time (provincial level) -

a. Pattern of increasing fish catch - Based on the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) data as
presented in the Graph below, increasing pattern of marine fish catch occurs in the western part of the
country (particularly Palawan) and the eastern side (represented by Masbate, Western Samar, and
Northern Samar).
b. Pattern of decreasing fish catch – Based on the Graph below, provinces with decreasing or leveled
off fish catch are, in the order of magnitude, Iloilo, Zamboanga del Norte, Cebu, Negros Occ., and Bohol.

3. Pattern in Space (Shallow water) - Based on the satellite map below, the above-mentioned
provinces with pattern of increasing fish catch like Palawan and the Bicol-Masbate-Samar-Leyte-Surigao
have large shallow water (zone with very much higher productivity) which is indicated by lighter blue
color; while those with pattern of decreasing or leveled off catch have narrow shallow water area starting
from the southernmost Zamboanga del Norte up to central Visayas, Mindoro, Batangas, then up to the
western side of Luzon.
4. Pattern in Space (Poverty incidence) – Based on the poverty BAS map on poverty incidence
below, it is the provinces with decreasing fish catch that have higher poverty incidence level as
represented by Zamboanga del Norte (more than 60%) followed by Mindoro (46% to 60%), then Bohol-
Negros (30% to 45%).

5. Pattern in Movement or Flow pattern – In view of the existing efforts by different stakeholders in
fish habitat protection and fisheries resource management, the move is to reduce fishing efforts in the
nearshore water by encouraging municipal fishers to venture in the deeper water towards the boundaries
of the municipal water the nearshore water and expand the fishing ground areas of commercial fishers
towards outermost limit of the EEZ in Palawan and provinces of Eastern Visayas, and then towards Palau.

II. Response by the Government and Suggestions based on analysis presented above.

While the BAS data at the national level show the pattern of increasing trend in both the commercial and
municipal fishers catch (in order to meet the demand of the local and export market) made possible by
marine fish conservation efforts in the nearshore water and expansion of fishing ground areas towards the
deeper water of the municipal water and beyondto catch tuna species, it is a fact that several fishing
grounds are already heavily overfished and those fishing grounds with catch that are still sustainable will
sooner or later not become sustainable anymore. Hence, the need to reduce overall fishing efforts by
making the excess number of municipal fishers shift to other livelihood projects such as mariculture
projects.

1. On Mariculture parks or zones

a. DA-BFAR has established 40 mariculture parks or zones now operating nationwide: 12 in Luzon,
17 in the Visayas, and 11 in Mindanao. In order to encourage small fisherfolk to venture in mariculture
parks, BFAR will help fishers organize themselves into cooperatives and enroll in its "Rent-a-Cage"
Program. The scheme is that the fisherfolk could start raising fish since BFAR will provide all the inputs
to be paid afterselling their produce. A unit of cage is 10m x 10m x 5m that will cost P 470,000.00
(bamboo cage) and, P 576,000 ( GI pipe cage) that includes cost of the cage, fingerlings, feeds and labor,
among others, during the culture period.

b. Zamboanga del Norte which is experiencing fast decline in catch and with the highest poverty
incidence level has an established 1 mariculture park covering an area of 200 has in the Rizal
municipality side of Murcielagos Bay where the maricultureprojects are found to be highly technically
feasible and financially viable. If the total area of 200 has will be fully developed, then fisherfolk from
other municipalities as far as Siocon could be able to engage in the projects through employment or direct
investors through the “Rent-a-Cage” program.

c. Mindoro which has the 2nd highest poverty incidence level has 2 mariculture zones: San Jose City
and Calapan. Given the fact that Mindoro has lower marine fish production and lesser number of fishers
as compared with Zamboanga del Norte, the latter should be given utmost priority.
d. Since formation of cooperatives and enrollment in the rent-a-cage program are one of the
prerequisites for those who are interested, BFAR should be able to tap experienced organizers who will
assist the cooperatives in their business with its 4 elements: management, market, technology, and
finance. Lessons should be learned from the fisherfolkorganizations with on-going projects that are
generating profits and expanding. The key to success is the presence of local leaders who possess (or
who have the potentials to develop) the right attitude (dedication, drive, energy, and good instinct) and
social commitment to serve others.
2. On Commercial Fishing Project Subsidy
a. The Government will give support to local tuna industry through a) assumption of payment of the
Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) as fees without the required private sector
counterpart and b) proposed fuel discounts and direct oil imports by commercial fishing companies.

b. BFAR usually provide the municipal fisherfolk with simple fishing gears like bottom set gill nets,
multiple longline and certain quantity of seaweed seedlings. In addition to this, the municipal fisherfolk
have also the right to be provided with assistance through fuel discount, among others.