Status of coastal fisheries resources in the Philippines: easing the pressure, and improving management for the sustainable use of fisheries resources

Professorial Chair Lecture

Jorge C. Bocobo Professorial Chair Lecture

Place

Plant Pathology Auditorium, Biological Sciences Building, UPLB

Date

6-29-2007

Abstract

Experience and lessons learned from various fisheries related projects are presented and are discussed to better understand the current conditions of the fisheries resources around the Philippines. The current condition of the Philippine capture fisheries is alarming with warnings of local collapse of stocks if nothing is done to correct the situation. Fish stocks are in a decline as inferred from decreasing catch rates of majority of gears in 75% of fishing grounds. Estimates show that levels of exploitation are now within the carrying capacity of about 15% of fishing grounds and further increases in fishing effort can be accommodated in only 10%. Other evidence of declining conditions of fish stocks include large decreases in biomasses of demersal fish stocks, increasingly smaller sizes of catch, and shifts in catch composition from highly valued species to lesser valued ones. The current condition of the fisheries resources is attributed to problems in overfishing, high density of fishers, use of illegal and destructive fishing methods, deterioration of coastal habitats, and poor socio-economic conditions at the coastal areas.

Strategies to ease pressure on fisheries resources gained from experience include convincing local executives of the need to manage fisheries resources, the need to reduce fishing pressure, the need to improve quality of coastal habitats, and the need to provide additional skills to local fishers to expand and create other economic opportunities. Specific examples for each strategy is presented and discussed. The need to define roles of various government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, academe, people's organizations and other sectors of society towards improving management for sustainable use of resources is emphasized. Key tasks to sustain management efforts over the long term are also discussed.

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Language

English

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