Impact on income and livelihood of fisheries workers: Closed fishing season policy for sardines in Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines
Abstract
© 2019, Springer Nature B.V. The closed fishing season policy for sardines in the Zamboanga Peninsula is intended to conserve the sardine species and sustain long-term operations for the sardine industry in the region. As the fishing regulation entails work suspension, it could inevitably pose serious repercussion on the fisheries workers who are highly dependent on sardine production for livelihood. This study assesses the impact of the three-month fishing ban on the income and livelihood of the fisheries workers. Utilising a survey research design, the article shows that income loss as the first and immediate consequence following the implementation of the policy in 2011. This is consequential to the economic well-being of the affected fisheries workers, especially to those among low-income households. While income loss seems to cast a shadow over the favourability of the fishing regulation, the fisheries workers still managed to alleviate the impact by: obtaining a replacement job or substitute livelihood; being rehired by the canning factories and bottling companies after the fishing ban; having multiple sources of income; and staying in the workforce for scaled-down operations in the sardine processing companies. These factors mitigate income loss, translate to a guaranteed re-employment, and offer some security to the fisheries workers and their households during the closed fishing season.
Source or Periodical Title
Journal of Coastal Conservation
ISSN
14000350
Page
1057-1067
Document Type
Article
Subject
Fisheries workers, Income, Philippines, Sardines, Zamboanga Peninsula
Recommended Citation
Brillo, Bing Baltazar C.; Jalotjot, Hadji C.; Cervantes, Catherine C.; and Rola, Agnes C., "Impact on income and livelihood of fisheries workers: Closed fishing season policy for sardines in Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines" (2021). Journal Article. 564.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/journal-articles/564