Abundance, Ecology and Fishery of Lobsters in Buenavista, Guimaras: Their Contribution to the Socio-Economic Condition of the Fisher Folks

Abstract

Lobster (Panulirus sp.) is an expensive priced marine crustacean both in localand international markets. The study was conducted to determine the abundance,ecology and fishery of lobster in Buenavista, Guimaras and their contribution tothe socio-economic condition of the fisher folks. The study used the descriptiveresearch design. The respondents of the study were the lobster fisher folks. Thedata gathered are composed of volumes of catch as to male and female, catch sizeduring lean and peak seasons, ecology of the area and socio-economic conditionof the fisher folks. The statistical tools used were frequency, percent, ranking and Pearson r. Spiny tiger lobster habituated most the area and many of themare male. The plankton was abundant, salinity during the peak seasons rangesfrom 16ppt to 31 ppt and 28ppt to 32 during lean seasons. The temperature was almost the same for both seasons with the average of 29104oC. Water was more turbid during the lean season and the depth of seawater ranges from 36 ft to 64ft.Majority of the fisher folk earned a monthly income of Php5,000.00 and below,despite the socio-economic condition which is not good based on the NationalEconomic Development Authority (NEDA) economic threshold level.Keywords: Ecology, abundance, lobster fishery, descriptive design, Philippines