Authors

William R. Adan

Author

Institute of Fisheries Research and Development, Mindanao State University at Naawan, 9023 Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Public policies on fisheries as contained in national and local legislations are examined to determine how they are transformed into management actions at the local government level in Panguil Bay, northern Mindanao Island, Philippines. The study employed document analysis, key informant interviews, participatory community discussions, and field validation of reported intervention programs and coastal resource management initiatives. The general policy on fisheries has shifted in recent time from the primary concern to increase production to resource management and sustainability. Several interventions have been introduced to stop the rapid decline of the coastal and fishery resources, alleviate the worsening poverty of the fisherfolk, and restore the integrity of the marine environment. Intervention programs to capacitate local government units in curbing illegal and destructive exploitation of the bay hardly made a dent on the problem. Some poverty alleviation projects showed promises but most generally failed because of poor sustainability studies and mismanagement. Restoration efforts for the resources and the environment also failed because of poor site choices, dysfunctional management, and lack of political will. Because the bay is a shared resource, its co-management by various users and stakeholders appears to be its only option for survival. A supra-management body needs to be established from among the local government units in the bay to integrate, harmonize, and put synergy in their fragmented efforts to restore its productivity and make fisheries a viable and sustainable industry in the area.