Awareness of Fisherfolk and Extent of Implementation of the Philippines Fisheries Code of 1998

Imelda T. Silvania

Cagayan State University

 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Exploitation of the fisheries and aquatic resources is a prevalent problem worldwide. In some
countries which are surrounded by the bounties from the ocean, they are now experiencing an
abrupt decrease of fish stocks in their territorial waters which causes a decreasing production of
fish yearly. This claim can be justified by the strong advocacy of the European Union, a
_________, to strengthen the implementation of the Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing
(IUUF) to resolve the over-exploitation of the fishery resources. It should be noted that, besides
climate change, a dominating unresolved problem of the world in this generation, human
activities are also the major causes of over-exploitation of resources particularly in the fisheries
sector.

With the prevailing ill current status of the fishery and aquatic resources worldwide which is
especially worsened by human activities, this study aims to ascertain the level of awareness of
the fisherfolk as well as the extent of implementation of the Philippines Fishery Code of 1998 or
widely known as R.A. 8550. Through this study, it will determine how the fisherfolk would be
guided with the provisions of the stated laws in terms of their awareness level to the R.A. 8550.
Further, the extent of implementation of the fishery laws by the implementors especially the
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Local Government Units particularly in the
coastal towns of the province of Cagayan to assess the effect of the services delivered in
accordance to the implementation of the laws to the awareness of the fisherfolk.
 Conceptual Framework

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

 Statement of the Problem

Specifically, the study seeks answers to the following questions:

1.What is the profile of the graduates in terms of the following:

a.age;
b.sex;
c.socio-economic status;
d.educational attainment;
e.parents occupation; and
f.fishery-related trainings attended
2. What is the level of awareness of the respondents to the R.A. 8550?
3. What are the illegal fishing activities in the municipality of the respondents?
4. What are the fishery-related ordinances implemented in the area?
5. Is there a relationship between the profiles of the respondents in their level of awareness to the
R.A. 8550?
6. Is there a relationship between the levels of awareness of the fisherfolk to the Fisheries Code
of the Philippines to the existence of illegal fishing activities in the area?
7. Is there a relationship between the levels of awareness of the fisherfolk to the fishery-related
ordinances implemented in the municipality of the respondents?
8. Is there a relationship between the occurrence of illegal fishing activities to the fishery-related
ordinances implemented in the area?

Research Hypothesis

a. There is no relationship between the

Significance of the Study

Scope and Delimitation

Definition of Terms
 Review of Related Literature

According to Elpidio A. Locsin Jr. (May 1997) reaching out to everyone is the best way to
effectively implement the fishery laws. He claimed that a need to create an awareness starting
from the very young that even the fish in the seas have their limits. The general public also needs
to be informed and updated on the state of the fishery resources so they can voice their concern
and influence policy decision and even budget allocation. This task lies with the newspaper,
radio, and television.

Locsin added that the fishing communities who are the primary beneficiaries of our waters
wealth need to have a sense of being the stewards of the fishery resources. At the same time there
is a need to encourage community spirit, unity and cooperation among each other. Only with
cohesion and solidarity can any effort in managing the NGOs through their community
organizers while the government extension workers concentrate on the technical aspects.
 Chapter 2

METHODOLOGY