A Preliminary Assessment on the Implementation of R

7/29/2019 A Preliminary Assessment on the Implementation of R

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Fisheries policy on sustainable development and

resource management in the Philippines foundexpression in two major important governmentintervention programs:

the Fishery Sector Program (FSP) (1989, 1995-96) and, its

sequel, the Fisheries Resource Management Project (FRMP,1999-2004). The program that was implemented in manyparts of the Philippines, including Panguil Bay inMindanao, aimed to address two critical andinterconnected issues, namely: the depletion of fisheriesresources and the vicious cycle of poverty andenvironmental degradation.

In addressing these issues, the program shifted fromsectoral to integrated approach and from increasingcapture fisheries production to habitat management withfocus on fisheries resources protection, conservation, and

sustainable development. (CRM)


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In 1991 and in 1995, the coastal habitats of the bay wereassessed and critical issues and concerns were identified (MSUN,1992; 1996). Results of the assessment indicated a steady declinein the health and productivity of the bay. The concerns were

addressed through various forms of interventions aimed toimprove the status of the habitats, particularly mangroves, coralreefs, seaweeds and sea grasses, and the waters upon which thefishery resource is hinged.

Specifically, the study was done to achieve the following:

1) To determine the current status of the of managementschemes on the resources, sanctuaries, coral reefs, andartificial reefs;

2) To identify threats, impacts, and stresses on the resourcesof Panguil Bay; and

3) To gather relevant data necessary to update the integratedCRM plans of target municipalities and the integrated Bay-wideCRM plan.


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Figure 1. Map of Panguil Bay Northwestern Mindanao, showing the municipalities and cities

covered in the assessment of coastal habitats. Inset is the map of Mindanao with arrow pointing toPanguil Bay.


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CRM is evaluated not from the perspectives of technical people

but based on the perception of its intended primary

beneficiariesthe fishermen households

Baroy, Tangub- Maquilao, Camalan, Sagadan, San Juan,

Respondents (20) Key informants (5) from each municipality and

city were interviewed using a structured interview guide to know

patterns of resource utilization, peoples knowledge and

perception, and opinions on the conservation, management andprotection strategies.

Randomly selected respondents were interviewed on the history,

present management scheme, and problems associated with

maintaining the health of the three main ecosystems.


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Specifically, data were obtained using the

following:

The survey on fishermen households covered

selected coastal barangays in Panguil Bay. The

barangays were chosen based on their having

experienced continued CRM activities underboth the Fisheries Sector Program (FSP) and

the Fisheries Resource Management Project

(FRMP) from the early 1990s up to the time of

the study.


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PHILIPPINE JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENT, 2004


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Mangrove management scheme ( Mangrove rehabilitation)

Based on surveys and interviews of the residents around Panguil Bay,

majority have good knowledge on the value of mangrove resources and their

ecological significance. The mangroves are recognized as refuge for marine and

transient animals, nursery ground for juveniles, and as barrier for wind and

waves. They also associate mangroves with a number of consumptive functions

that include extraction and collection of products such as construction materials,food items (e.g. bivalves, univalves, crustaceans and fishes), propagules for sale,

branches used as fish aggregating devices or FADS, and firewood for domestic

use.

Despite their ecological importance and the implementation of

interventions, mangrove habitats continued to decline The mangroves are

continually being threatened by massive fishpond development . Stewardship ofthe intact reforested mangroves remains uncertain. In some areas, private claims

imply that the owners can make plans for development that may be contrary to

established mangrove programs of the government.

In general, the mangroves in Panguil Bay are already depleted as

shown by their very small cover relative to the fishpond areas in particular and

the whole bay area in general.


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Sea Grasses and Coral Reefs Management Scheme

Based on Key informants: People Involved in the Management

According to them,

Some coral reef and non-coral reef areas that have been protected as fish

sanctuary have relatively high species richness, abundance and of fish.

Unprotected and less managed coral reefs have low species richness andabundance

Obviously, ban on illegal fishing and protection of the sites allowed these

groups of fish to grow and attain maturity. Conversely, the sanctuaries is notan enforced one, as evidences of ongoing fishing activities inside the sanctuaryhave been noted.

These observations would explain the relatively low abundance and biomass in

this area. It is believed that if efficient management in selected coral reef

areas is sustained these areas could become important sources of recruits ofeconomically important species that could then spill over to other areas of the

bay.

Likewise, a wellmanaged artificial reef may become an important source of

recruits for the nearby coral reefs. Spillover of juvenile and adult fish can

contribute to improved fisherman catch and income through time.


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The perceptions of households on the impact

indicators were then analyzed. Based on the

perception data gathered through the survey

that households believed control over resources and

community compliance would improve in the next 10years.

There were households whose heads were directly

employed by the FSP and/or FRMP, received benefits

other than financial gains from the projects, and/or

attended trainings from the projects. Furthermore,beneficiary households also included those whose

relatives were directly employed or trained by the

projects.


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CRM beneficiaries or not, fishermen

households in Panguil Bay perceived their

fish harvest, income and overall well-beingto have deteriorated in the last 10 years,

when CRM was implemented, and would

continue to do so in the next 10 years. They

believed that the well-being of the coastalresources they depend on decreased as well

and would continue to decline in the future

if CRM will not be implemented.


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fishermen households consistently asserted

that two institutionally related impact

indicators-their control over resources and

community compliance to rules andregulationshad improved in the last 10

years of CRM and would continue improving

in the future. These results speak well of the

potential of CRM to effect the institutionalchanges, particularly the legal, and the

monitoring and enforcement components.


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the appointive officials of various government

agencies involved in CRM implementation had

come and gone many times and the priorities

related to CRM had changed as well. Isolated CRM implementation

the failure of integrated bay management, the isolated

approach with which CRM has been implemented

Discontinuity of CRM activities inconsistency in implementation


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Despite an apparent rise in resource and environmentalconsciousness in Panguil Bay, the assault on coastal resourcescontinues.

For lack of other options for survival, many coastal dwellers

are forced to extract any resource from the bay by any means,causing its rapid and continuing degradation. Because the bayis a shared resource, its co-management by its various usersbecomes a necessity, if not the only option for sustainability.

Considering that the mangrove, seaweed, sea grass and coral

reef resources are an integral part of the overall status offishery in Panguil Bay, the present assessment has recognizedthe need to improve and develop a coastal resourcemanagement scheme appropriate to the recent environmentalcondition.


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The local government units from barangay to theprovincial level, fishing communities, and otherstakeholders need to define and play their

respective roles in its management to stopfurther degradation.

There are many constraints to the successfulimplementation of projects intended to improve

the productivity of the bay. These consist of theinterplay of environmental, ecological,economic, social, and political factors that havenot been properly addressed or resolved overtime. The present findings imply that thereremains a great challenge to the national andlocal government, resource managementorganizations and the fisherfolk communities toaccelerate efforts to save the degrading habitatsof Panguil Bay


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High and unmet expectations many fishermen, the livelihood assistance did not

materialize, leading to their disillusionment over the

CRM programs. This led them to think of CRM as yetanother government program that provides lip service,

some hope and not much else.

Politicized implementation

many stakeholders as at times politically influencedin their decisions, particularly in the selection of

sites for mangrove reforestation and other activities

Disharmony among LGUs

Some local government officials have been unhappy

over the exclusion of their areas from the FRMP

coverage while others have been complaining about

the sporadic and low level of activities in their sites


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Untimely fund releases

Fund underutilization

Nonexistent critical mass of CRM workers

Too much training

Too broad coverage This approach stretches the limits of the financial,

manpower and other existing resources of the CRMbeyond what it can afford to do. It also results inhaphazard implementation of activities in terms ofscope and coverages just to meet requirements.


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The degraded coastal habitats in Panguil Bay can

be improved through the adoption of the

following recommendations:

Reduce silt load and prevent the shallowing of the

bay through erosion abatement measures, such as

intensifying upland and coastal reforestation.

Reduce pollution from industrial and domestic sourcesin order to protect seaweed production and improve

fisheries of the bay. Regulation of upland and lowland

agriculture and mariculture activities would reduce

their negative impacts on the bays ecology.


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Strengthen law enforcement (e.g.,RA 8550) on coastalenvironment protection through concerted efforts of the FARMCs,Bantay Dagat, the FLET and the Municipal or City AgriculturesOffice.

Review marine sanctuary management to include restorationactivities to enhance natural regeneration in coastal habitats,e.g. through coral transplantation to rehabilitate damaged reefsand effective protection and management of existing artificialreefs. Participation of coastal communities or peoplesorganizations in the management of LGU-driven marine

sanctuaries can ensure sustainability of these projects.

Conservation and restoration of mangrove habitats should employa multi-species mangrove reforestation strategy. Whereappropriate, nets may be placed along the river banks to trapsediments and favor establishment of seedlings. Since fishpond

development is a major threat, fishpond owners should berequired to plant mangroves on the fringes of their fishponds andidle or non-performing fishponds should be converted intomangrove rehabilitation sites.


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A Preliminary Assessment on the Implementation of R

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