Professionalizing Community-Based Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Services

Abstract

Philippine artisanal fisheries have historically been self-regulating, although concerns regarding sustainability have led to significant countrywide and international focus on national improvements in Coastal Resource Management (CRM). The process to professionalize CRM skills in the Philippines is outlined herein as a reflexive or solution-focused approach to mitigate fisherfolk poverty, enhance skills available to local government, manage the national heritage of marine resource extraction, and emerging food-security challenges of the growing population. Ongoing progressions are put in context with several decades of programmatic work through the lens of Ecohealth Action Research that has led to specific foundational outcomes. Emphasis is placed upon overcoming the historical disconnect between fisherfolk and government regarding; CRM program implementation, inclusive, participatory designs, and methodologies that lead to enhanced community-based skills and capacity. Collaborative approaches to developing adaptive co-management that include fisherfolk are directly linked to a government stakeholder analysis and roles under the Local Government Code (RA 7160). The projected Green Jobs are subsequently considered within the international Sustainable Development Goals.