Assessing the formulation and implementation of the closed fishing season policy for sardines in Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines

Issue Date

2016

Abstract

The Closed Fishing Season Policy is a fishing regulation adopted by the national agency and local stakeholders to conserve the sardines species and sustain the operations of the industry in Zamboanga Peninsula. Fisheries regulation in the Philippines, particularly the formulation and implementation of closed fishing season, is a little explored area. Premised on this, the study assessed the creating subsequent enforcement of Joint DA-DILG Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2011. Employing a case study design, the article illustrates the interaction among the stakeholders and elucidates the issues as well as the constraining and facilitating factors in the formulation and implementation of the fishing regulation. In formulation, the study contends that the conservation policy was facilitated by precursor circumstances and practices (such as the decline of the tuna industry, the fishing closure in the Visayan Sea, the three-day fishing ban, and the “self-regulation” measures) while the main issue was the starting period of the three-month fishing closure. In implementation, it contends that the fishing regulation suffered from poor dissemination, insufficient safety nets, cooperation problems, industry unpreparedness, and lack of evaluative studies. The favourable factors include the availability of resources, support from stakeholders, few violations, employment of strategic alternatives, and improvement in provision of safety nets. Overall, the three-year closed season was deemed favourably as the stakeholders acknowledge the problem and recognize the appropriateness of the measure.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Science

ISSN

0031-7683

Volume

145

Issue

4

Page

395-404

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

maps, tables

Language

English

Subject

Closed Fishing Season, Fisheries regulation, Philippines, Policy making, Sardines, Zamboanga Peninsula

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

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