Integrating aquaculture in coastal river planning: the case of Dagupan City, Philippines.

Abstract

In the Philippines, conflicts between fishing, aquaculture, tourism and other uses of the coastal waters are common because they are not clearly integrated into the management of the coastal zone. Resource use allocation then remains a challenging task for decision makers. Development activities that proceed without proper planning lead to more resource use conflicts and environmental degradation. This chapter presents the findings of a study to identify a strategy for incorporating aquaculture into coastal planning to reduce conflicts in the use of the coastal and river waters of Dagupan City, Philippines. Recommendations to improve coastal planning requirements are discussed. Based on environmental, social, economic and institutional considerations, the river system was subdivided into ten management zones. The zones were further reclassified into priority use zones as 'regulated zone' (Zone 1), 'mariculture and fishing priority zone' (Zones 2-7), 'non-fishery zone' (Zone 8) and 'fishpond priority zone' (Zones 9 and 10). Since unregulated fishpen development was a major concern of the local government, fishpen size and layout were standardized. The output of this study forms part of the legislation, Dagupan City Coastal Fisheries Resources Management Ordinance of Year 2003, Executive Order No 71, Series of 2003. It is intended to promote sustainable aquaculture development, generate livelihood and revenues, institutionalize the production and marketing of milkfish for the domestic and export markets and rationalize the use of coastal resources to ensure social equity and long-term environmental stability.