THE POLITICAL ECOLOGY OF THE SEASONAL FISHERY CLOSURE IN THE VISAYAN SEA, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

The seasonal fishery closure (SFC) policy is an important initiative for protecting and conserving the fisheries and aquatic resources in the Philippines, yet there are many problems with its implementation. It lacks consideration of the human dimensions of resource management, and empirical evidence on its effects on the regulated species. Using mixed methods, this study is conducted to gain a better understanding of the effects of the SFC implemented in the Visayan Sea on the fishery resources and stakeholders, as well as the underlying factors that affect policy outcomes. Chapter 1 provides a brief background on the world fisheries, the Philippine fisheries sector, the SFC policy implemented in the Visayan Sea and its gaps, the objectives of this study and the research questions it attempts to address. Chapter 2 contains the necessary background to the Philippine fisheries, SFC experiences in other countries, a description of the political ecology theoretical framework and its application in this study, as well as examples of political ecology and related studies that have valuable insights and application in fisheries management. Chapter 3 discusses the materials and methods used in data gathering, processing and analysis. It also presents the research framework, description of the study sites and the respondents. Chapter 4 explores how knowledge and perceptions of municipal fisheries stakeholders about the SFC vary among the respondent groups and municipalities, and how this influence their compliance with the SFC. It also examines how the SFC policy affects people's livelihoods, incomes, household dynamics, traditional practices, among other things. The political factors that undermine the conservation goals of the SFC in the Visayan Sea are likewise discussed. The last section of Chapter 4 presents the before-after control-impact (BACI) analysis that empirically tests reports of increasing fish stocks in the Visayan Sea. The conclusions and recommendations are provided in Chapters 5 and 6, respectively. The research outputs can contribute to improving the present management framework for Visayan Sea and in designing development programs that are in-sync with the specific needs and capacities of municipal fisheries stakeholders towards a more inclusive development in the Phlippine fisheries sector.