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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study Coastal farming is by product of continuous testing, learning about, and development of knowledge among fisher folks on coastal environment as part of their survival strategies in response to their basic needs and development. Likewise, shrimp and crab harvesting along coastal areas of Panguil Bay is subjected to environmental influences so requires interacting, observing and dealing with the geophysical environs of the bay. The geophysical characteristic of the bay is described as shallow water ground with forty-seven rivers and tributaries in its coasts, the tooth-like shape water flow that causing its strong sea tide current during intertidal interchange and water salinity gradient. So has made it favourable shallow water grounds for shrimps and crabs harvesting and culturing. Harvesting and culturing are farming methods that are utilized in separate habitats. Fishing gears are used in wild harvesting while culturing is undertaken using pond designs. Gears are diverse in terms of types and applications, so is true of pond designs in aquaculture. And both may either used as municipal (traditional) or subsistence or for commercial (modernized). The use of traditional is associated with the seasonality of harvesting in relation to the geophysical patterns during monsoonal seasons and allowing year-round harvesting. The seasonal nature of harvesting is common reasons of shifting from traditional to modernize production to take advantage of the various fishing grounds and culturing opportunities. While the use of modernized gears is economically driven to satisfy their economic interest so to increase catch per effort to sustain the

market demand. So they are largely imported, required high capital investments, consume large amount of energy to capture. Fishing gears are classified into two types, namely: active and passive gears while pond design is of three designs, namely: extensive, semi-intensive and intensive. Either the gears or the pond designs may consist of both traditional and modern nature of operations and procedures of harvesting. The study of fishing gear in Panguil Bay is not new. Six reports on fishing gear are available in the literature. Talavera and Montalban (1932) enumerated and described 27 kinds of gear (including variations) not only for shrimp and prawn, but also for crabs and fin-fishes in many areas of the bay. Umali (1950) in his "Guide to the classification of fishing gear in the Philippines" described more than 50 types of gear consisting of hand instruments, barriers and traps, lines, and nets. Domantay (1973) described 19 types of shrimping and prawning gear which were classified into five categories: set impounding nets, mobile impounding nets, entangling nets, guiding barriers, and miscellaneous gear. Delmendo and Rabanal (1973) described and illustrated four types of cropping gear used in sugpo (Penaeus monodon) culture ponds. Primavera and Apud (1977) reported five types of gear for transferring juvenile P. monodon and/or for harvesting the adults in brackish water fishponds. Motoh (1980) illustrated eight typical devices and gear for catching the wild sugpo fry (postlarval Penaeus monodon). So is the study of aquaculture production in Panguil bay. An ecological investigation is conducted by the Mindanao State University at Naawan on prawn and shrimp culture system. Culture systems are classified into three, namely, extensive, semiintensive, and intensive. The classification is based mainly on pond facilities, stocking density, food supply, water management, yield, technical knowhow and skill and other major inputs.

Less is known on the effects of using both traditional and modern harvesting gears and so is on aquaculture production on the bay. Their used is highly associated with the decline of resources is clearly indicated on different assessments. A three- year study of MSU-Naawan covering the period from 19821991 that the catch per unit of fishing effort of gears are decreasing, the mangrove, sea grasses, and coral reefs resources have been subjected to critical degree of degradation. Their rapid degradation is specifically attributed with the used of gears with fine mesh and heavy littoral bottom that increase the wastage of by- catch in their operations, is destroying spawning and breeding areas through close contact with seafloor/ seabed during harvesting by means of dragging or pushing. Such environmental scenario has put into serious questions on what and how farming techniques involved such as those for harvesting shrimp and crab, have affected the coastal environment. This issue is crucial as this has an implication to policies on coastal resource management which indicates the nature of local ecological governance, people environmental consciousness and participation, among other things. Specifically aimed to describe the fishing gears and fish pond designs involved in harvesting shrimp and crab and their perceived effects on selected coastal areas along Paguil bay. The fishing gears are identified in terms of types, applications-influencing factors, and their perceived effects, while pond designs are determined by procedures in terms of pond facilities, inputs and perceived effects. The assessments of both harvesting techniques are done using qualitative and quantitative for methodology and analysis.

1.2 Statement of the Problem This study basically aims to determine how the traditional and modern sea naf fishpond harvesting techniques for shrimp and crab have affected the environment and people of the five selected coastal communities along the Panguil Bay. Based on the perceptions of respondents and key informants, the nature and extent of utilization of both farming methods are to be described to the following specific questions constitute the core concerns of this study:

1. What is the general profile of Panguil Bay? 1.1. Ecological Background 1.2. Government Policy on Coastal Management 1.3. Location of harvesting techniques by area 2. What is the Socio- demographic profile of the respondents? 3. What are the fishing gears and pond designs involved in shrimp and crab harvesting? 3.1 Sea (Traditional and Modern) 3.2 Fish Pond (Traditional and Modern) 4. To what extent have fishing gears been used by season? 4.1 Amihanan (East Monsoon) 4.2. Tig-linaw (Interval Monsoon) 4.3. Habagatan (West Monsoon) 4.4 Kanawayan (Extreme Monsoon) 5. What are the perceived effects of fishing gears and fish pond designs on the 5.1. Environment 5.2. Human

6. How is the status of performance of the government mitigating measures assessed in terms of: 6.1 Extent of compliance 6.2 Extent of effectiveness 7. To what extent do they recommend restrictions on banned fishing gears and fish pond designs? 7.1 Recommended extent of restrictions 7.2 Reasons

1.3. Scope and Limitations of the Study Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, this study mainly described the traditional and modern fishing gears and used fish pond designs in harvesting shrimp and crab and to determine how they have affected the marine environment and human beings. These gears are described in terms of their nature and extent of utilization as they are influenced by determinants of seasons and looking how these marine environment and fisherfolks. It tried to examine measures which the government has undertaken in mitigating effects of such fishing gears and fishpond designs. Data on effects of fishing gears and fishpond designs are basically derived from responses to key informant interview and questionnaire, information drawn observation. This implies that such effects are mainly based on perceptions which are validated through field observation. The questionnaire and interview guide being researcher-made, validity of measures needs to be further tested through research and laboratory tests.

The subjects of the study are divided into two groups which were purposively selected using snowball sampling; fisher folk respondents and key

informants. Therefore applicability of findings cannot be generalized to all shrimp and crab fisher folk, their fishing gears and fishpond designs. Results of the study are only true to fisher folks which were directly involved either as key informants or respondents, and the fishing gears and fish pond habitats.

1.4. Significance of the Study By examining how its fishing gears and fish pond designs could affect the environment and people, this study can lead empirical ground for examining further the sustainability of this industry vis-a-vis the natural habitats on which it survives the people whose lives it supports. Shrimp and crab industry are also important as source of livelihood and thus survival of fisher folks and communities. In this way, it can empirically reinforce the concept of sustainable development which the World Commision on Environment and Development (WCED) has articulated and advocated. Methodologically, this study is capable of strengthening the use of a case study that combines quantitative and qualitative methods for data gathering and analysis. Specifically findings of this study can provide a realistic ground for reviewing and realizing relevant policies on protecting and conserving marine resources. In the same fashion, its results can serve as a rich empirically-based inputs to revisiting and redesigning programs and projects for ensuring the sustainability of shrimp and crab and other coastal resources. This, in effect, could enhance the capability of government agencies at the local and national levels in addressing issues and problems in managing coastal resources in general. To various groups or stakeholders, this study is of premium value as well.

1.5. Analytical Framework The analytical framework of this study is founded on the two concepts of sustainable development and environmental justice which both have

distinguishable goals. A comparison of the goals of the two movements reveals their need for interdependence. Objectives and definition of each concept is defined below: Sustainable development principle sets for standard behaviour for responsible and effective management and development of living ecosystem, which eventually recognize the nutritional economic, social and environmental aspects of community in general. In essence, sustainable development is a process in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development; and institutional changes are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations (RAO, 1987: 42). It promotes optimum respect for people and ecosystem. It a process of designing and taking set of actions to strengthen or change values, knowledge technologies and institutions to improve and maintain the well-being of people and ecosystem (Eduardo, 2003: 7). It seeks technologies that are environmentally sound in which operation: a) can protect the environment; b) is less polluting; c) uses all resources in a more sustainable manner; d) recycles more of their wastes and products; and d) handle residual wastes in a more acceptable manner than the technologies for which they are substitutes (Chapter 34 of Agenda 21).

While environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. In essence, people can avail the

same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work (Alan, 1989: 92). It aims to avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority populations and low-income populations. To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process. To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority and low-income population (Luke Cole, 1992: 24). Taken all together the two concepts, sustainable community is one that is able to identify and fulfil its own needs without impacting its neighbours ability to do the same. Rather than accepting the notion that a burden can go somewhere else, a sustainable community is able to internalize its costs by closing resource and waste loops. In the light of sustainability and environmental justice, fishing gears and pond designs consisting of both the traditional and the modern ones particularly those which are capable in yielding the greater volume of shrimps and crabs including fingerlings are examined by its sustainability and environmental justice. It identifies further the reasons despite the existence of relevant environmental policies prescribing what harvesting technique to use, reality

indicate that fisher folk still continue using techniques through which they can generate greater yields regardless of their effects on environment and human. It tries to picture out environmental effects created in using illegal gears in harvesting shrimp and crab among the fisher folks of Panguil bay where large portion of population are directly engaged as workers- less benefits yet severely exposed to environmental hazards/ effects as consequences of using such damaging gears and pond designs.

Using the criteria sets out by (FAO, 2005: 24) sustainability is determined while the criteria for environmental justice are defined by its definition. Sustainable fishing practices that are not damaging to the population of target species, associated or dependent species or their habitats, without eliminating their capacity to continue producing for present and future generations. And sustainability of aquaculture encompasses the use of appropriate and efficient farming technologies and practices that are not harmful to ecosystem and resources from pre-cultivation, post-harvest handling, processing, and marketing. It makes efficient use of land and water and also conserves ecologically sensitive habitat and ecosystem functions (FAO, 2005:16). While environmental justice has two major parts: fair treatment: no group of people should have to deal with an unequal share of the harmful environmental effects that happen because of policies or operations run by businesses or government. Policies of, or operations run by, businesses or government can at times affect the environment and can make people sick. This often means that because of where one group of people lives or works, that group suffers an unequal portion of harmful environmental effects than other groups who live in other locations (Robin M. Collin and Robert W. Collin, 1994: 399-439). Meaningful involvement: potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment or health, or both; the public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision. The concerns of all participants will be considered in the decision-making process and the decision-makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of the populations potentially affected. Meaningful involvement means that affected groups of people actually take part in the decision-making process. When government starts to address the problems that

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make an environment unhealthy, affected citizens need to participate in the process, and that citizen involvement has to be meaningful (ibid).

General Background of Panguil Bay

Ecological Background Location of Harvesting Techniques by Area Fishing gears and pond designs involved in harvesting shrimp and crab by habitat 1. Sea 2. Fish pond

Government Policies

Extent of Use of fishing gears 1. Amihanan (east monsoon) 2. Tig-Linaw (interval monsoon) 3. Habagatan (west monsoon) 4. Kanawayan (extreme monsoon)

Perceived effects of fishing gears and fish pond designs 1. Environment 2. Human 1.1 Health 1.2 Safety

Status of performance of Mitigating Measures Undertaken by the government: extent of compliance and effectiveness

Figure 1. An analytical framework of the study showing the fishing gears and fish pond designs involved in harvesting shrimp and crab and their perceived effects on marine environment and human beings in selected coastal areas along Panguil bay.