Addressing Small Scale Fisheries Management through Participatory Action Research (PAR), an Experience from the Philippines

A significant proportion of the fishing population comprises small-scale fishermen and many studies illustrate that these people are exploited by middlemen in the process of fish marketing combined with money lending. The negative dependency gives rise to poverty and triggers indiscriminate fish catch that threatens fishery resources depletion. This article explores the root causes of failures in resource-led development from the viewpoint of coastal resource conservation. The study presents a case study of Chilika lagoon, India and focuses on the interaction between small-scale fishermen and middlemen. The findings reveal that most of the small-scale fishermen have been exploited by specific middlemen and the underlying causes of the present fish marketing structure stem from (i) indebtedness and (ii) the unstable situation because of perpetual conflicts over fishery resources among the fishers across Chilika lagoon. Based on these observations, this article presents some recommendations on fishery resource conservation from the perspective of a fish marketing structure.

The role of local taboos in the management of marine fisheries resources in Tanzania

.

Crustaceans is a fishery resource that has high economic value, where a lot of demand for exports from crustacean group. Small-scale fisheries have become the foundation for the fishermen who live in coastal areas. The purpose of this study is to identify the resource utilization of crustaceans by small-scale fisheries in North Madura Waters, and assess dependency on the existence of small-scale fisheries resources existing crustaceans in North Madura Waters. The research method is direct observation, interviews, and free dialogue with some of the respondents. The results that have been obtained from this study, so it can be concluded that small-scale fishermen who make arrests crustacean resources in North Madura Waters is fishing with fish traps and fishing gear dogol that land their catch in PPI Kranji, Sampang PPI and PPI Tamberu. Dominant Commodities catch is crabs, tiger shrimp and white shrimp. The results of the small-scale fisheries dependence on resources from the index dependence crustaceans seen mention that fishermen who landed the catch in PPI Kranji, Sampang PPI and PPI Tamberu have a resource dependency with crustaceans with an index value of 21.74; 13.87; and 0.42.
 Keywords: 
 crustacea, small scale fisheries, dipandance crustacea index, North Madura Waters

A Study of Local Government in Africa through Participatory Action Research (PAR)

Background. Fish farms attract both juvenile and adult wild fishes in great numbers and diversity. These wild fishes also become an easy target stock for local fishers, both professional and recreational. There are three groups of interest in this study, the fish farmers, small-scale fishermen (professional), and recreational fishers (mostly anglers but also spear fishers). This study was intended to determine conflicts derived from the adverse social and bioecological interactions from the perspective of both local fishermen and fish farmers and to determine the observed incidence of predators. Materials and methods. In this study, 48 randomly selected fish farms, 28 fishery cooperatives, and 33 fishing ports located close to aquaculture areas were visited for face-to-face interviews with the fishermen of small-scale fisheries (SSF) between July 2015 and July 2017. The main purpose of the survey questionnaire was to ask SSF fishermen for their opinion about offshore aquaculture and vice versa—ask the fish farmers about SSF, emphasizing issues potentially creating problems. Data were collected mainly on sociodemographic profiles, current problems, reciprocal conflict issues, the impact of offshore fish farming on SSF activities, and on bioecological interactions such as predator attacks and problems with farm fish escapes. Results. Approximately 77% of fishermen in Izmir and 71% of fishermen in Muğla declared that they had problems with the sea-cage fish farms. On the other hand, 40% of fish farmers in Izmir and 54% of fish farmers in Muğla reported problems with local SSF. The fishermen believe that in recent years, Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), sea turtle (Caretta caretta), and invasive fish (pufferfish, etc.) populations have been increasing in Muğla. Additionally, 46% of Muğla fish farmers and 60% of Izmir fish farmers acknowledged cases of fishes escaping from sea-cages. In terms of the predators, 84% of Muğla and 75% of Izmir’s fishermen expressed their concerns regarding predator attacks on the sea-cage farms. Conclusion. Further studies, based on socioeconomic issues, are needed for better understanding the dimensions of incomes and economic losses of SSF and cooperation issues in the area where the interaction is high. We suggest that all stakeholders, small-scale fishermen, in particular, must be integrated with a management plan, and the cooperation among both fishing groups should be encouraged.

Very little is known about harmful jellyfish species in the Philippines, much less about their impacts on society (e.g., fishing and tourism sectors, local community). The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Departments of Health (DOH) and Tourism (DOT) together with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), other research institutions and academe, should conduct more research related to harmful jellyfish species to address the paucity in information. To reduce injuries and deaths resulting from harmful jellyfish envenomation, DA, DENR, DOH, and DOT, and their counterparts in local governments must strengthen their information and education campaigns, preventive measures, emergency response, and treatment of jellyfish-related injuries and stings. DA-BFAR should monitor box and other harmful jellyfishes in collaboration with the local governments with high coastal tourism traffic. This monitoring should be made participatory in high tourism-traffic areas, involving members of the public, the fisheries, tourism, and health sectors of the local governments in coordination with local academic institutions. DA-BFAR and DENR should also maintain a publicly available database of jellyfish envenomation dates, times, and locations. Health workers and law enforcement officials should be taught to recognize the stings and record casualties for the DA-BFAR and DENR databases. This database and monitoring could be the basis for a national risk map and calendar and, eventually, an advisory and warning system.

Background: Small-scale fishermen's work activities are carried out in a marine environment which has the potential to cause certain work-related diseases. AIMS: This study aims to identify the incidence of work-related diseases among small-scale fishermen in Batam Island, Indonesia. Methods: This study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches involving 119 small-scale fishermen. Data was collected through questionnaires, observations, documentation, interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary data collection. Results: The results showed that all small-scale fishermen complained of diseases caused by threats in the chemical, physical, biological, psychological, and ergonomic factors group. Conclusion: Most fishermen complained about colds, fever, stings, blisters, skin allergies, and eye disorders/myopia. Most complaints were obtained from small-scale fishermen over 40 years old, especially the ones with smoking habits. Identification of work-related diseases was required to prevent and control the health problems that could endanger small-scale fishermen’s health and productivity.

Illegal fishing imperils Gulf ecosystems, prompting this qualitative study, rooted in green criminology and purposive sampling, to explore stewardship in fisheries and aquatic resource management. Police officers (Bantay Dagat), BFAR representatives, Barangay Officials, and Fisherfolks were interviewed. This study revolved around three main thrusts: (1) common law violations relative to the fishery and aquatic resources law violations; (2) the reasons/motivational factors of engaging in the fishery and aquatic resources law violations; and (3) measures on how the community can foster stewardship in managing fisheries and aquatic resources. The findings proved that the illegal fishing activities in municipal waters and marine protected areas were done for higher income and economic sustenance but posed various threats to the sustainability of aquatic and fishery resources and the environment in Leyte Gulf. The study also found that the community can foster stewardship through participatory enforcement of aquatic and fishery laws and programs and the provisions of equipment and resources needed for more effective patrol and surveillance of marine waters to prevent and combat illegal fishing. Keywords: Green Criminology, Illegal Fishing, Stewardship, Leyte Gulf

Sorsogon Bay is home to the pen shell (Atrina pectinata), locally known as Baloko. This study was designed to assess the existing value chains of pen shell and identify areas for improvement. The sites covered were the municipalities along Sorsogon Bay in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. It employed the tracer methodology where only the processors and fisherfolks connected to the traders were selected as respondents of the study. Primary data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires. Secondary data were used to establish a good understanding of the pen shell industry in the areas of the study. Results show that the adductor muscle or tinga is a substitute for scallops, thus, an export product. The other parts of pen shell or rambit are also of high demand. The highest volume of pen shell catch occur during October to April during the northeast monsoon (amihan) and gradually decline from May to September during the southwest monsoon (habagat) months. The value chain maps reflect the whole meat and semi-processed value chains, the two distinct marketing practices traced in the pen shell industry. The actors in the two value chains are the fisherfolks, processors, traders, and exporters. The enablers are the fisherfolks’ organization, local government unit (LGU), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC), microfinance institutions, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Phil Export. There is uneven distribution of value added in both chains. More value is created and captured by the processors while the fisherfolks have negative gains. The value-added captured by the processors and traders are higher in semi-processed practice. There is the need to focus on the supply of pen shell, the effects of pollution of Sorsogon Bay, market information, technology to preserve the quality of products, industry association, and basic researches on pen shell under Sorsogon Bay condition.

The study was designed to assess the value chains of carpet shell and identify areas for improvement. The sites covered were the municipalities along Sorsogon Bay, in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. It employed the tracer methodology. Only the traders and fisherfolks connected to the concessionaires and exporters were selected as respondents. Primary data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires. Secondary data were used to establish a good understanding of the carpet shell industry. The highest volume of carpet shell catch occurred during December to April during the northeast monsoon (Amihan) and gradually declined from May to November during the southwest monsoon (Habagat) months. The Value Chain Maps reflected the fresh carpet for local market and for export market value chains, the two distinct marketing practices traced in the carpet shell industry. The actors in the two Value Chains are the fisherfolks, traders, concessionaires and exporters. The enablers are the fisherfolks’ organization, local government units (LGUs), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC), and microfinance institutions. More value is created and captured by the traders while the fisherfolks have least gains. The value-added captured by the traders were higher in fresh carpet shells for the local market than the export market. The areas of improvement will provide solutions to the problems on the supply of carpet shell, pollution of Sorsogon Bay, market information, technology to preserve the quality of products, industry association, and basic researches on carpet shell under Sorsogon Bay condition.

The influence of fisherman scale in the resilience of socio-ecological systems: An analysis using Q methodology

Latar belakang: Salah satu program kerja unggulan dalam kegiatan KKN Desa Cipadang dalam bidang pendidikan yaitu membangun Taman Baca Masyarakat. Program Taman Baca Masyarakat ini selain merupakan upaya mendukung gerakan literasi nasional, juga dilatarbelakangi oleh keterbatasan sarana dan prasarana literasi dan belum tersedianya taman baca bagi anak-anak Desa Cipadang dan juga kurangnya motivasi pendidikan dan rendahnya minat belajar serta minimnya akses bacaan bagi anak-anak terutama masyarakat desa Cipadang. Tujuan: Membentuk Taman Bacaan Masyarakat sebagai upaya meningkatkan minat literasi. Metode: Pelaksanaan program pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini menggunakan metode Participatory Action Research (PAR). PAR adalah metode pengabdian berbasis riset yang dilaksanakan oleh komunitas pada lingkungan masyarakat sebagai partisipan yang aktif terlibat dalam kegiatan pengabdian. PAR memiliki tiga komponen, yang terdiri dari: metodologi riset, aksi, dan partisipasi, yang terdiri dari beberapa tahapan yaitu: pemetaan dan identifikasi masalah, focus group discussion, persiapan, sosialisasi, pelaksanaan, monitoring, dan evaluasi. Hasil: Program kegiatan melalui Taman Baca Masyarakat ini memberikan kebermanfaatan yang sangat positif bagi masyarakat Desa Cipadang pada umumnya dan anak-anak desa cipadang pada khususnya. Beberapa kegiatan dalam pengembangan literasi yang telah dilakukan dalam program pengabdian masyarakat Desa Cipadang di Taman Baca Masyarakat ini yaitu: 1) Pendirian dan peresmian Taman Baca Masyarakat Desa Cipadang, 2) Peningkatan Akses dan Minat Baca 3) Pemberdayaan Ketrampilan Taman Baca Masyarakat (TBM) 4) Keterlibatan Komunitas Taman Baca Masyarakat (TBM) 5) Rekomendasi Keberlanjutan Taman Baca. Kesimpulan: Pelaksanaan program Taman Bacaan dapat meningkatkan minat literasi bagi masyarakat Desa Cipadang. Kata kunci: literasi, taman baca masyarakat, PAR ______________________________________________________________ Abstract Background: One of the leading work programs in the Cipadang Village Community Service Program in the field of education is building a Community Reading Park. This Community Reading Park program, in addition to being an effort to support the national literacy movement, is also motivated by the limited literacy facilities and infrastructure and the unavailability of a reading park for children in Cipadang Village and also the lack of educational motivation and low interest in learning and minimal access to reading for children, especially the people of Cipadang Village. Objective: To establish a Community Reading Park as an effort to increase literacy interest. Method: The implementation of this community service program uses the Participatory Action Research (PAR) method. PAR is a research-based service method carried out by the community in the community environment as participants who are actively involved in service activities. PAR has three components, consisting of: research methodology, action, and participation, which consist of several stages, namely: mapping and identifying problems, focus group discussions, preparation, socialization, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Result: The activity program through this Community Reading Park provides very positive benefits for the people of Cipadang Village in general and the children of Cipadang Village in particular. Several activities in literacy development that have been carried out in the community service program of Cipadang Village in the Community Reading Park are: 1) Establishment and inauguration of the Cipadang Village Community Reading Park, 2) Increasing Access and Interest in Reading 3) Empowerment of Community Reading Park (TBM) Skills 4) Community Involvement of the Community Reading Park (TBM) 5) Recommendations for the Sustainability of the Reading Park. Conclusion: The implementation of the Reading Park program can increase literacy interest for the people of Cipadang Village. Keywords: literacy, community reading park, PAR

Small-scale fisheries are responsible for high numbers of animals caught as bycatch, such as turtles, cetaceans and seals. Bycatch and its associated mortality is a major conservation challenge for these species and is considered undesirable by fishermen. To gain insights on the impact of bycatch on small-scale fishermen and put it in context with other financial and environmental challenges they face, we conducted questionnaire-based interviews on fishermen working on Crete, Greece. We investigated fishermen’s perceptions of sea turtle and other protected species interactions, and the impacts of such interactions on their profession and livelihoods. Our results indicate a connection between declining fish stocks, related increased fishing effort, and reported increased frequency of interactions between fishermen and sea turtles. Respondents believed that their livelihoods were endangered by industrial fishing and environmental problems, but thought that combined interactions with turtles and other marine megafauna species were a larger problem. Responses suggested that extending compensation to fishermen may be a good conservation intervention. Small-scale fishermen hold a wealth of knowledge about the marine environment and its resources. This may be of help to researchers and policy makers as it could be used to achieve a better managed, sustainable fishery. Including small-scale fishermen in the process of developing regulations will both enhance those regulations and increase compliance with them.

Small-scale fisheries make up a small percentage of the total catch in the fisheries sector in Iceland, yet occupy an important part of the cultural and political landscape. The past 30 years in particular have been host to dramatic political, technical, social, and economic changes for Icelandic small-scale fishermen, their families, and their home communities. In this chapter, we first focus on the history of small-scale fisheries in Iceland and define characteristics distinguishing these fisheries from large-scale operations that often target the same fish stocks. Next, we describe historical and current fisheries governance arrangements with particular focus on the disproportionate impact that the privatised national fisheries management system has had on small-scale fisheries. Using the Arctic island of Grimsey as a case study, we show how fishing culture itself, through the logic of the Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) system, has become inextricably and irreversibly entwined with national and even global financial institutions and processes. We also highlight the various small-scale fisheries and detail limitations in the capacity of small-scale fishermen to achieve collective action. We discuss options for mitigating negative impacts of the ITQ privatised system, such as the open access summer jig season that began in 2009. We then place small-scale fisheries in the larger context of regional and national policy trends and show how the 2008 economic crisis and national policies aimed at economic growth affect local fishermen. Finally, we forecast how both national and international policies may affect future generations of Icelandic small-scale fishermen.