SUSTAINING THE COASTAL FISHERY RESOURCES IN SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN

Abstract

This study is an inquiry on the “low fisheries productivity” of a potentially resourcerich coastal ecosystem of 1,408 km2 in San Vicente, Palawan, Philippines. Three main coastal habitats, namely: mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass beds located in four fishing grounds were investigated. Field observations and rapid appraisal methodology using key informant interviews and focused group discussions were involved in the process. A municipal level stakeholders’ validation was done to confirm initial findings. Results showed 8 major fishing gears are operating in 4 bays, of which 5 are passive and 3 are active gears. A total of 103 fish species from 48 families and a major species of squid comprised the catch, of which 60% is reefassociated species. San Vicente’s present fisheries productivity of 1,557.68 metric tons (mt) per year or an extraction rate equivalent to only 1.1 mt/km2/year is far behind its estimated potential yield of 7,040.40 mt per year. In general, the municipal fishing grounds are not overfished. Although commercial and high value species remain abundant, the catches have been declining for most species across gears. Thus, sustainable fisheries management regime is necessary to increase fishery production and maintain ecosystem balance.