Closed season policy in Visayan Sea, Philippines: A second look

Napata, Ruby P.; Espectato, Liberty N.; Serofia, Genna D.

doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105115

Cited by 12 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Two municipalities in the province of Masbate (Milagros and Cawayan) and one city in the province of Capiz (Roxas City) were added to ensure representativeness of the municipalities in the five provinces surrounding the Visayan Sea considering that previous studies on Visayan Sea were limited in geographical scope. For example, the study by Ferrer (2009) focused on municipalities in Northern Iloilo only, while the study by Napata et al (2020) included municipalities in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Cebu and Capiz, but failed to include municipalities in Masbate. The additional municipalities were selected based on geographical location, accessibility, and safety considerations.…”

Section: Semi-structured Interviews Focus Group Discussion and Key Informant Interviewsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since the start of a reinvigorated enforcement, there had been claims that the SFC was a success, noting an increase in fish catch each year at the end of the seasonal closure period (DA-BFAR, 2013b;Mesa, 2014;Ramos, 2014). However, in a recent study which examined whether the implementation of the SFC in the Visayan Sea has achieved its conservation goals, results showed a decrease in the catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of municipal fishers whose target species are sardine (Napata et al, 2020). Nonetheless, their analyses were limited to sardine only and not mackerel, hence, did not include all the species covered by the SFC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of a Seasonal Fishery Closure on Sardine and Mackerel Catch in the Visayan Sea, Philippines

et al. 2021

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The implementation of seasonal fishery closures (SFC) can be controversial due to the frequent lack of clear objectives, monitoring and empirical evidence of management success. In the Philippines, an SFC implemented for the conservation of important fishery commodities in the Visayan Sea has been ruled a success after stricter implementation of this fishery policy in 2012. However, a comprehensive, detailed, and robust analysis of this fishery policy is lacking. Using a difference-in-differences (DID) framework, we estimated the effect of SFC on the interannual and seasonal catch for sardine and mackerel. We expanded our analysis to other species not regulated under the SFC policy. We also conducted semi-structured interviews (N = 235), focus group discussions (N = 9) and key informant interviews (N = 37) involving municipal fisheries stakeholders in the surrounding municipalities around the Visayan Sea, and representatives from the government and non-government agencies, to complement our analyses. Seasonal analyses of catch data show a significant increase in sardine catch at the end of the seasonal closure among SFC-participating provinces. However, overall, the SFC had no significant effect on sardine interannual catch among the provinces participating in the SFC. We also found no significant effect of the SFC on interannual and seasonal catch for mackerel. Furthermore, our findings show no significant changes in fishing pressure to other aquatic species. Interview results corroborate our DID findings for mackerel, but not for sardine. The varying perceptions on the outcomes of the SFC policy can be attributed to several challenges such as lack of implementing guidelines, lack of alternative livelihoods for the affected stakeholders, persistence of illegal fishing, and uneven implementation of the SFC. Since the management objective of this SFC was to conserve the regulated species, alternative management measures may be needed to achieve this goal. This could entail more consistent enforcement, improved cooperation and communication between fisheries managers and stakeholders, fish size or gear restrictions, and identification and conservation of key habitats needed to restore overexploited species.

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Section: Semi-structured Interviews Focus Group Discussion and Key Informant Interviewsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of a Seasonal Fishery Closure on Sardine and Mackerel Catch in the Visayan Sea, Philippines

et al. 2021

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“…Seasonal fishery closures are likely to yield various ecological outcomes, such as boosting fishers' catches (Cohen et al, 2013;Rola et al, 2018) and reduction in fuel use and associated reduction in CO 2 emission, with reduced impacts upon ocean biodiversity (Narayanakumar et al, 2017). Such initiatives are considered robust regulatory measures expected to augment marine fisheries production as the stocks are allowed to spawn and grow (Narayanakumar et al, 2017;Napata et al, 2020). Closure for spawning will also positively effect population growth, as well as reducing annual fishing mortality by reducing fishing effort during and even after the closure (Arendse et al, 2007;Clarke et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Closure for spawning will also positively effect population growth, as well as reducing annual fishing mortality by reducing fishing effort during and even after the closure (Arendse et al, 2007;Clarke et al, 2015). The biomass would be reasonably expected to increase due to the ban period, as it would otherwise have been exploited by the fishery as small-sized juveniles (Arendse et al, 2007;McClanahan, 2010;Napata et al, 2020). For example, in Australia, the seasonal trawling ban has yielded a substantial increase in fisheries production (Shyam et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This conservation measure is known to cause serious socioeconomic disturbances (Finkbeiner et al, 2017;Brillo et al, 2019). Restriction on fishing has strong short-term negative impacts, particularly on the income and livelihood of vulnerable coastal fishers and their communities (Brillo et al, 2019;Napata et al, 2020), as there are no alternative employment opportunities during the fishing ban. This suggests that fishers are left with no other choice but to take on the full impact of the income loss caused by the ban (Aswathy et al, 2011;Brillo et al, 2019;Amali Infantina et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seasonal Fishery Closure in the Northern Bay of Bengal Causes Immediate but Contrasting Ecological and Socioeconomic Impacts

et al. 2021

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Bangladesh has introduced a monsoonal fishery closure in the Bay of Bengal to ensure the conservation of fish stocks and productive breeding grounds. While the fishing ban has likely supported this goal, it has also sparked protest and resentment among small-scale fishers. This study investigated fishers’ perceptions of the 65-day fishing ban between May and July in the Bay of Bengal. We collected both qualitative and quantitative data from five coastal fishing communities. Data were analyzed to explore fishers’ perceptions of the socioeconomic and ecological impacts of the closure. While most respondents agreed that the closure produced positive ecological outcomes, they felt that their income and food security had been negatively affected. Importantly, crew members perceived their losses to be more extreme than the boat skipper or owner due to their overreliance on the fishery and lack of alternative skills and occupations. These fishers cannot forfeit their livelihoods and food security needs, as they are already living on the margins of subsistence. This social ramification emphasizes the necessity of understanding the interconnection between fishers’ socioeconomic conditions and conservation needs. Social-ecological trade-offs and inequalities raise the question of social equity and environmental justice, which could ultimately compromise management and conservation effectiveness and legitimacy. The involvement of local communities in the decision-making process for future fishery interventions could enhance both the livelihood opportunities and the positive ecological outcomes in the Bay of Bengal marine ecosystem.

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Social sustainability in Bangladesh marine fisheries management: A case from Hatiya fishing community

Islam,

Khan,

Mondal

et al. 2024

Heliyon

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Closed season policy in Visayan Sea, Philippines: A second look

Cited by 12 publications

References 16 publications

Effect of a Seasonal Fishery Closure on Sardine and Mackerel Catch in the Visayan Sea, Philippines

Effect of a Seasonal Fishery Closure on Sardine and Mackerel Catch in the Visayan Sea, Philippines

Seasonal Fishery Closure in the Northern Bay of Bengal Causes Immediate but Contrasting Ecological and Socioeconomic Impacts

Social sustainability in Bangladesh marine fisheries management: A case from Hatiya fishing community

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