A Management Plan Framework for the Verde Island Passage Marine

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Management Plan Framework for the Verde Island Passage Marine The Verde Framework Verde The The FrameworkVerde A Management Plan Framework for The Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor DENR PAGE 84 INSIDE BACK COVER The Verde Vision Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor at the center of global marine biodiversity, is a socially and economically developed community of responsible citizenry committed and empowered to be effective, conscientious and accountable stewards of our environment and natural resources.” & Mission “To mobilize partnerships and strengthen capability among local government units, national government agencies, private sectors, non-government organizations, academe, volunteer groups, social/civic organizations and coastal communities and residents for sustained biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development” COVER, INSIDE FRONT COVER & INSIDE BACK COVER IN SEPARATE FILE INSIDE FRONT COVER PAGE 1 The Verde Framework The Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor M a nagement Pl a n Fr a mework Philippine Copyright ©2009 Department of Environment & Natural Resources Protected Areas & Wildlife Bureau This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non-profit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder provided acknowledgment of the source is made. DENR - PAWB Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center Compound Quezon Avenue, Diliman 1101 Quezon City, Philippines Tel. (+632) 924-6031 Fax. (+632) 924-0109; (632) 925-8950 [email protected] http:www.pawb.gov.ph ISBN 978-971-8986-76-9 Printed and bound in the Philippines First printing, 2009. Second printing, 2010. For citation purposes this document may be cited as: Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau - Department of Environment & Natural Resources, 2009. The Verde Framework. PAGE 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 4 I. Introduction 8 II. Description of the Verde Island 9 Passage Marine Corridor Geographic Location 9 Political Boundaries 10 The Province of Batangas The Province of Marinduque The Province of Mindoro Occidental The Province of Mindoro Oriental The Province of Romblon Bio-physical Profile 14 Corals Fishes and Other Marine Species Mangroves Seaweeds and Seagrasses Watersheds Existing MPAs 18 Socio-Economic Profile 21 FOREWORD Population Human Development Industry III. Legal and Institutional Framework 24 It might be easy to talk about sustainability and biodiversity as essential components of sustainable development, and even of life itself. But the fact remains that we need to persuade as many people as Legal Framework 24 possible that healthy, thriving and diverse ecosystems are essential to a healthy, thriving and diverse National Laws and Policies 24 Coastal and Ocean Management society. Fisheries Species and Habitat Protection Pollution With our ambitious targets on biodiversity, it is imperative for the government to continue its Land Use Management constructive engagement and collaboration with other sectors with the end view of minimizing negative Shipping and Navigation Other Relevant Laws environmental implications. Local Ordinances 29 Executive Order 578 of 2006 created an enabling policy environment that will enhance our International and Regional Agreements and Initiatives 30 institutional and regulatory capacities especially in the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion and the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor. It paved the way for all government departments and agencies to The Institutional Framework 31 integrate and mainstream the protection, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into Government Agencies Civil Society our policies, plans and programs. Emerging Institutional Arrangements IV. Exsisting Partnerships and Current The global significance of the Verde Island Passage as the “center of the center” of marine shorefish Conservation Efforts 35 diversity cannot be underestimated. All the more does it present us with challenges, which could not V. Critical Issues in the VIPMC 38 be faced if each of us worked in isolation. Institutional and Attitude Issues 40 Fishing Related Issues 40 This Management Plan Framework — the Verde Framework for short — demonstrates the possibility Biodiversity Issues 40 Land Use Issues 41 of reaching agreements between the government and other sectors on practical steps towards a Pollution 42 more sustainable world. This is about a step-change — a move from words to concerted action and Resource Use and Tourism Related Issues 43 Socio-Economic Issues 44 implementation. VI. Management Strategies 45 Let us all work together in harmony, guided by a management framework that will help set the forward Vision Statement, Mission, Goals 45 Guiding Principles 46 path to biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the Verde Island Passage Marine Key Conservation Strategies 48 Corridor. VII. Proposed Management Body to Implement the Plan 52 References 57 Annexes 60 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 81 Acknowledgement 83 JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR. Secretary, DENR and Chair, PCICDSCS 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2005, a study by Dr. Kent Carpenter, IUCN Global Marine Species Assessment During the Sulu-Sulawesi Congress held last June 20-22, 2007, participants identified the coordinator, and Victor Springer of the Smithsonian Institute revealed that the Verde Island following issues affecting the VIPMC, arranged in order of urgency: 1) Institutional/ Attitude; 2) Passage, situated between the province of Batangas and the island of Mindoro, Philippines, Fishing related issues; 3) Biodiversity; 4) Land use; 5)Pollution; 6) Resource Use and Tourism; contained a high concentration of marine species per unit area. The Verde Island Passage and, 7) Socio-economic. Marine Corridor (VIPMC) thus merited the distinction of being the “center of the center” of the world’s marine shorefish diversity, having 1,736 overlapping marine species over a Under the above context, a set of management strategies has been developed to address the issues 10-kilometer area, the highest concentration of marine life in the world. and ensure the viability and sustainability of the VIPMC. However, human activities such as fishing, tourism and navigation pose a serious threat to The Ad Hoc Task Force adopted the following vision in the formulation of the Verde Island Pas- this center of marine biodiversity. Carpenter and Springer warn that habitat degradation sage Corridor Management Plan Framework: and probably mass extinctions of unique marine biotic communities are inevitable if marine conservation is not prioritized. “Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor, at the center of global marine biodiversity, is a socially and economically developed community of responsible citizenry committed and empowered to In response to this urgent call, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during the National be effective, conscientious and accountable stewards of our environment and natural resources.” Biodiversity Conference held on November 8, 2006, issued Executive Order No. 578 establishing the national policy on biodiversity. This was to be implemented throughout Drawing on the partnerships among the various sectors of society in recognition of the fact that the country, particularly in the Sulu Sulawesi Marine Ecosystem and highlighting and the protection, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is a shared responsibility, the prescribing the policy implementation in the Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor. mission for VIPMC is: This led to the convening of an Ad Hoc Task Force, which spearheaded a series of meetings “To mobilize partnerships and strengthen capability among local government and consultations geared towards the formulation of a management plan for the VIPMC. The units, national government agencies, private sectors, non-government 120-day time frame provided under the executive order to come up with a comprehensive organizations, the academe, volunteer groups, social/civic organizations management plan for the VIPMC was not enough and it was resolved that a framework shall and coastal communities and residents for sustained biodiversity conservation instead be developed to serve as the guide in formulating the management plan. and socio-economic development” The VIPMC, which consists of the coasts, islands, and waters of the five provinces of It is envisioned that the VIPMC will achieve the following management goals Southern Luzon, namely, Batangas, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, by the year 2018: and Romblon, is a critical marine corridor which facilitates exchange and migration of species and nutrients across corridor waters. As the “center of the center” of marine shorefish 1. Increase the area and numbers of well-managed MPAs and MPA networks; diversity, the VIPMC has a high concentration of species per unit area and indicates that a 2. Establish an inventory of flora and fauna; number of unique communities in the area support this multitude of species, some of which 3. Address issues of other marine and coastal habitats such as estuarine are endangered and threatened. Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, fishes and charismatic waters, saline lagoons, and intertidal marshes; marine species in the area confirm this fact. 4. Reduce threats to species and habitats; 5. Reduce threats from shipping and navigation; Philippine laws and policies, as well as international agreements and local and regional 6. Enforce laws and regulations effectively; plans, influence and stimulate the kind of management plan that will be developed for the 7. Improve the management of fisheries; VIPMC. 8. Set up and
Recommended publications
  • THE PHILIPPINES, 1942-1944 James Kelly Morningstar, Doctor of History
    ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: WAR AND RESISTANCE: THE PHILIPPINES, 1942-1944 James Kelly Morningstar, Doctor of History, 2018 Dissertation directed by: Professor Jon T. Sumida, History Department What happened in the Philippine Islands between the surrender of Allied forces in May 1942 and MacArthur’s return in October 1944? Existing historiography is fragmentary and incomplete. Memoirs suffer from limited points of view and personal biases. No academic study has examined the Filipino resistance with a critical and interdisciplinary approach. No comprehensive narrative has yet captured the fighting by 260,000 guerrillas in 277 units across the archipelago. This dissertation begins with the political, economic, social and cultural history of Philippine guerrilla warfare. The diverse Islands connected only through kinship networks. The Americans reluctantly held the Islands against rising Japanese imperial interests and Filipino desires for independence and social justice. World War II revealed the inadequacy of MacArthur’s plans to defend the Islands. The General tepidly prepared for guerrilla operations while Filipinos spontaneously rose in armed resistance. After his departure, the chaotic mix of guerrilla groups were left on their own to battle the Japanese and each other. While guerrilla leaders vied for local power, several obtained radios to contact MacArthur and his headquarters sent submarine-delivered agents with supplies and radios that tie these groups into a united framework. MacArthur’s promise to return kept the resistance alive and dependent on the United States. The repercussions for social revolution would be fatal but the Filipinos’ shared sacrifice revitalized national consciousness and created a sense of deserved nationhood. The guerrillas played a key role in enabling MacArthur’s return.
    [Show full text]
  • Status of Taal Lake Fishery Resources with Emphasis on the Endemic Freshwater Sardine, Sardinella Tawilis (Herre, 1927)
    The Philippine Journal of Fisheries 25Volume (1): 128-135 24 (1-2): _____ January-June 2018 JanuaryDOI 10.31398/tpjf/25.1.2017C0017 - December 2017 Status of Taal Lake Fishery Resources with Emphasis on the Endemic Freshwater Sardine, Sardinella tawilis (Herre, 1927) Maria Theresa M. Mutia1,*, Myla C. Muyot1,, Francisco B. Torres Jr.1, Charice M. Faminialagao1 1National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 101 Corporate Bldg., Mother Ignacia St., South Triangle, Quezon City ABSTRACT Assessment of fisheries in Taal Lake was conducted from 1996-2000 and 2008-2011 to know the status of the commercially important fishes with emphasis on the endemic freshwater sardine,Sardinella tawilis. Results of the fish landed catch survey in 11 coastal towns of the lake showed a decreasing fish harvest in the open fisheries from 1,420 MT to 460 MT in 1996 to 2011. Inventory of fisherfolk, boat, and gear also decreased to 16%, 7%, and 39%, respectively from 1998 to 2011. The most dominant gear is gill net which is about 53% of the total gear used in the lake with a declining catch per unit effort (CPUE) of 11kg/day to 4 kg/day from 1997 to 2011. Active gear such as motorized push net, ring net, and beach seine also operated in the lake with a CPUE ranging from 48 kg/day to 2,504 kg/day. There were 43 fish species identified in which S. tawilis dominated the catch for the last decade. However, its harvest also declined from 744 to 71 mt in 1996 to 2011. The presence of alien species such as jaguar fish, pangasius, and black-chinned tilapia amplified in 2009.
    [Show full text]
  • Philippine Notice to Mariners July 2021 Edition
    PHILIPPINE NOTICES TO MARINERS Edition No.: 07 31 July 2021 Notices Nos.: 045 to 049 CONTENTS I Index of Charts Affected II Notices to Mariners III Corrections to Nautical Publications IV Navigational Warnings V Publication Notices Prepared by the Maritime Affairs Division Produced by the Hydrography Branch Published by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources NATIONAL MAPPING AND RESOURCE INFORMATION AUTHORITY Notices to Mariners – Philippine edition are now on- line at http:// www.namria.gov.ph/download.php#publications Subscription may be requested thru e-mail at [email protected] THE PHILIPPINE NOTICES TO MARINERS is the monthly publication produced by the Hydrography Branch of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). It contains the recent charts correction data, updates to nautical publications, and other information that is vital for the safety of navigation on Philippine waters. Copies in digital format may be obtained by sending a request through e-mail address: [email protected] or by downloading at the NAMRIA website: www.namria.gov.ph/download.php. Masters of vessels and other concerned are requested to advance any report of dangers to navigation and other information affecting Philippine Charts and Coast Pilots which may come to their attention to the Director, Hydrography Branch. If such information warrants urgent attention like for instance the non- existence of aids to navigation or failure of light beacons or similar structure or discovery of new shoals, all concerned are requested to contact NAMRIA directly through the following portals: Mail: NAMRIA-Hydrography Branch, 421 Barraca St., San Nicolas, 1010 Manila, Philippines E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (+632) 8242-2090 The Hydrographic Note form at the back-cover page of this publication must be used in reporting information on dangers to navigation, lighted aids, and other features that should be included in the nautical charts.
    [Show full text]
  • Cruising Guide to the Philippines
    Cruising Guide to the Philippines For Yachtsmen By Conant M. Webb Draft of 06/16/09 Webb - Cruising Guide to the Phillippines Page 2 INTRODUCTION The Philippines is the second largest archipelago in the world after Indonesia, with around 7,000 islands. Relatively few yachts cruise here, but there seem to be more every year. In most areas it is still rare to run across another yacht. There are pristine coral reefs, turquoise bays and snug anchorages, as well as more metropolitan delights. The Filipino people are very friendly and sometimes embarrassingly hospitable. Their culture is a unique mixture of indigenous, Spanish, Asian and American. Philippine charts are inexpensive and reasonably good. English is widely (although not universally) spoken. The cost of living is very reasonable. This book is intended to meet the particular needs of the cruising yachtsman with a boat in the 10-20 meter range. It supplements (but is not intended to replace) conventional navigational materials, a discussion of which can be found below on page 16. I have tried to make this book accurate, but responsibility for the safety of your vessel and its crew must remain yours alone. CONVENTIONS IN THIS BOOK Coordinates are given for various features to help you find them on a chart, not for uncritical use with GPS. In most cases the position is approximate, and is only given to the nearest whole minute. Where coordinates are expressed more exactly, in decimal minutes or minutes and seconds, the relevant chart is mentioned or WGS 84 is the datum used. See the References section (page 157) for specific details of the chart edition used.
    [Show full text]
  • Mindoro East Coast Road Project
    E1467 v 5 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Table of Contents l'age I Executive Summary 1 I1 Project Description 4 Project Ra.tionale 4 Basic Project Information 5 Project Location 5 Description of Project Phases 6 111 Methodology Existing Erivironmental Condition Physical Environment Biological Environment Socio-Economic Environment IV Impact Assessment 23 Future Environmental Condition of the Project Area 23 Impacts Relating to Project Location 24 Impacts Relating to Project Construction 26 lmpacts Relating to Project Operation and Maintenance 30 V Environmental Management Plan 31 Environmental Monitoring Plan 39 VI ANNEXES Location Map Photographs along the Project Road Typical Section for flexible and rigid pavement Typical section of Bridge superstructure Provincial & Municipal Resolution Accountab~lityStatements Executive Summary Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) Mindoro East Coast Road Proiect Executive Summary A. Introduction The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed Rehabilitationllmprovement of Mindoro East Coast Road Project (Bongabong - Roxas - Mansalay - Bulalacao - Magsaysay - San Jose Section) is presented in the form of an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) in accordance with the requirement of the revised rules and regulations of the Environmental Impact Statement System (EISS) embodied in .the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Department Administrative Order (DENR-DAO) 96-37 Thus, this report covers the result of the said EIA that aims to confirm the environmental viability of implementing the proposed project. B. Project Description The 125.66 kilonieter Mindoro East Coast Road Project traverses the two provinces in the Island of Mindoro. It passes thru the municipalities of Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay and Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro and Magsaysay and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro.
    [Show full text]
  • Part Ii Metro Manila and Its 200Km Radius Sphere
    PART II METRO MANILA AND ITS 200KM RADIUS SPHERE CHAPTER 7 GENERAL PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA CHAPTER 7 GENERAL PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA 7.1 PHYSICAL PROFILE The area defined by a sphere of 200 km radius from Metro Manila is bordered on the northern part by portions of Region I and II, and for its greater part, by Region III. Region III, also known as the reconfigured Central Luzon Region due to the inclusion of the province of Aurora, has the largest contiguous lowland area in the country. Its total land area of 1.8 million hectares is 6.1 percent of the total land area in the country. Of all the regions in the country, it is closest to Metro Manila. The southern part of the sphere is bound by the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, all of which comprise Region IV-A, also known as CALABARZON. 7.1.1 Geomorphological Units The prevailing landforms in Central Luzon can be described as a large basin surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides. On its northern boundary, the Caraballo and Sierra Madre mountain ranges separate it from the provinces of Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya. In the eastern section, the Sierra Madre mountain range traverses the length of Aurora, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan. The Zambales mountains separates the central plains from the urban areas of Zambales at the western side. The region’s major drainage networks discharge to Lingayen Gulf in the northwest, Manila Bay in the south, the Pacific Ocean in the east, and the China Sea in the west.
    [Show full text]
  • The Marine Protected Area Network of Batangas Province, Philippines: an Outcome-Based Evaluation of Effectiveness and Performance
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Ritsumeikan Research Repository The Marine Protected Area Network of Batangas Province, Philippines: An Outcome-Based Evaluation of Effectiveness and Performance Dean Rawlins Summary This study looks at the case of four marine protected areas established in two municipalities of Mabini and Tingloy in Batangas Province, Philippines, in order to assess their performance in relation to their initial objectives. It investigates stakeholder perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the MPAs and the current problems facing management of the MPAs. The results highlight issues of equity, lack of community and governmental will and participation, lack of capacity and confidence in management of the local committees and organisations, and difficulties in financing that threaten to jeopardize the protected areas ongoing success. Building governmental support, local capacity building, and a transparent method of financing are seen as key to ensure success in the future. Introduction Over recent years marine protected areas (MPAs) have become a widely-used component of integrated coastal management programmes set up in an attempt to protect, and potentially rehabilitate, coastal ecosystems worldwide. The increasing urgency with which coastal resource management practitioners now view the need to conserve marine resources has led to a surge in the number of MPAs being created and their recognition on an international scale as a viable means to protect resources at the ecosystem level. However, recent experiences in the modern concept of MPA management have brought to light a range of conflicting interests that have impeded the smooth implementation of many projects.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Analysis of Two Community-Based Fishers Organizations
    WORKING PAPER (not for citation) Comparative Analysis of Two Community-Based Fishers Organizations Raul P. Lejano University of California, Irvine Alma Ocampo-Salvador Ateneo de Manila University Abstract There has evolved, in recent years, a strong interest in decentralized modes of governance over fisheries and other marine resources, particularly that of community- based resource management (CBRM). However, analysis of the strength of this institutional model is hindered by simplistic, typological depictions of CBRM. We use organizational theory to argue how, within the broad category of CBRM, there is a rich variation of organizational forms. We illustrate the analysis by showing how two ostensibly similar fishers organizations in Batangas, Philippines, differ in important ways and, furthermore, how these differences respond to particular challenges and opportunities found in their respective contexts. We also discuss implications of this research for how we conduct program evaluations of these programs. Keywords: fishers organizations, community-based resource management, decentralization, program evaluation, participation 1 I. Introduction There has been, for over a decade now, a literal explosion in the literature on decentralized modes of governance over fisheries and other marine resources (e.g., see [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], 7]). Most interesting to the authors is the particular mode of decentralization known as community-based resource management (CBRM). The CBRM literature is a rich store of case studies from which to draw policy insights (e.g., [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16]). However, analysis of these real-world experiments in governance is hindered by a sometimes overly reductionistic and typological treatment of CBRM.
    [Show full text]
  • Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
    Republic of the Philippines Office of the President PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY Regional Office IV-B (MIMAROPA) Unit 14 Filipiniana Complex, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro 5200 | www.pdea.gov.ph | [email protected] | (043) 441-0267 MONTHLY REGIONAL WEBPAGE UPDATE I. SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS The following are the anti-illegal drug operations conducted by this Office and other law enforcement units that resulted in the arrests of High Value Targets (HVTs) for the month of July 1-31, 2018: Barangay Chairman caught for possessing shabu A Barangay Chairman was arrested in Search and Seizure operation at Brgy. Maragooc, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro. Suspect was identified as Domingo Mingo Mortel, Filipino, 50 years old, male, married, Barangay Chairman and a resident of Brgy. Maragooc, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro. That on 7th July 2018 at 0600H, joint elements of PDEA Oriental Mindoro Provincial Office, Gloria MPS and PNP Maritime Group 4B-02 implemented a search warrant at Brgy. Maragooc, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro, which resulted in the arrest of Brgy. Captain Domingo Mingo Mortel. Confiscated during the search were two (2) pieces heat sealed transparent plastic sachets of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride known as shabu weighing 0.0151 gram and one (1) unit caliber 45 Armscor pistol. Cases for violation of Section 11 Article II of RA9165 and RA 10591 were filed against the suspect. # # # # # Notorious member of a drug group busted in an entrapment operation A member of Garcia Drug Group was arrested in buy-bust operation at Sitio Roma Sur, Brgy. Roma, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. Suspect was identified as Arnel Olivas Morillo, Filipino, 50 years old, male, married, jobless and a resident of Brgy.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards Local Fishers Participation in Coral Reef Monitoring:A Case in Tingloy, Batangas, Philippines
    1 Proceedings of the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 7 – 11 July 2008 Session number 21 Towards Local Fishers Participation in Coral Reef Monitoring:A Case in Tingloy, Batangas, Philippines A.L.A. Subade1,3, R.F. Subade2, Z.B. Catalan1 1) School of Environmental Science & Management, University of the Philippines Los Banos 2) IFPDS-CFOS, and DSS-CAS, University of the Philippines Visayas; 3) University of the Philippines Visayas Abstract. The five-island municipality of Tingloy is a popular diving site known for its rich coral reefs. However, these reefs are being threatened by man-made stresses and natural disturbances. A monitoring framework was developed through the integration of scientific and indigenous knowledge in determining and assessing the present status of coral reef environment. One of the benefits of the developed monitoring framework is the empowerment of the fishermen. Institutions and fishermen in the area in cooperation with the academe provided the major backbone of the framework. The fishermen were interviewed, trained and participated in the whole year monitoring of the coral reef environment. The monitoring framework developed served as an overall guide for monitoring activities and the data gathered served as the baseline information of the coral reef environment in the area. Key words: coral reefs, fishermen, monitoring framework, baseline information, Tingloy Introduction the coral reef ecosystems of these areas (White and The Philippines is blessed with one of the most Vogt 2000). diverse coral reef ecosystems in the world as it lies The WWF-Philippines (World Wide Fund for in the region known as “The Coral Triangle”.
    [Show full text]
  • 9 Wiegele WC FE.Pages
    Fishermen’s Concepts of Environmental and Climate Change in Batangas, Philippines Katharine L. Wiegele, PhD, Northern Illinois University Introduction This work is based on six weeks of field research at two separate field sites in Batangas, Philippines from March to April, 2014. The primary goal was to discover the cultural model(s) of nature held by full-time and subsistence fishermen in this very important marine ecological zone, the Verde Island Passage. Questions driving the re- search included (a) how do fishermen understand human relationships to various el- ements in the natural environment including weather, climate, fish, animals, and the supernatural, (b) how and why are the climate and natural environment changing (if they are changing) and (c) how and why is food production (fishing) changing. Two Qishing communities, one in Bauan and one in Lobo, Batangas, were chosen for their variation in terms of the inQluence of non-governmental and governmental conservation education efforts, the presence of tourism and marine protected areas, methods of Qishing subsistence used, their proximity to industry, and the relative health of the land and marine habitat. I looked for differences in perceptions of cli- mate and environmental change and local knowledge about nature and climate in general and as it relates to food production. I conducted 18 semi-structured inter- views and 36 free-listing tasks.1 Local environmental conditions and climate and weather patterns, changes in these conditions and patterns, and the possible causes of these changes were discussed by informants in the interviews. These topics are analyzed in this article using gist statements and metaphor analysis to identify fea- tures of a cultural model of nature present in the two communities of Qishers.2 Re- search methods also involved participant-observation, Qishing expeditions, and na- ture-walks with informant narration.
    [Show full text]
  • Tilapia Cage Farming in Lake Taal, Batangas, Philippines
    95 CASE STUDY 6: TILAPIA CAGE FARMING IN LAKE TAAL, BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES A. Background 1. Scope and Purpose 1. This case study was undertaken as part of an Asian Development Bank (ADB) special evaluation study on small-scale, freshwater, rural aquaculture development. The study used primary and secondary data and published information to document the human, social, natural, physical, and financial capital available to households involved in the production and consumption of freshwater farmed fish and to identify channels through which the poor can benefit.1 The history and biophysical, socioeconomic, and institutional characteristics of Lake Taal, Batangas, Philippines are described, followed by accounts of the technology and management used for tilapia cage farming and nursery operations, with detailed profiles of fish farmers and other beneficiaries. Transforming processes are discussed with respect to markets, labor, institutions, support services, policy, legal instruments, natural resources and their management, and environmental issues. The main conclusions and implications for poverty reduction are then summarized. 2. Methods and Sources 2. A survey was conducted of 100 tilapia cage farmers and 81 nursery pond farmers from the municipalities of Agoncillo, Laurel, San Nicolas, and Talisay, around Lake Taal, Batangas Province, Philippines. These four municipalities account for at least 98% of the total number of cages in the lake and associated nurseries. The survey was conducted in July–August 2003. Rapid appraisal of tilapia cage farming in Lake Taal, site visits, meetings, and interviews with key informants were undertaken prior to this survey. Survey respondents were identified through stratified random sampling based on the latest official records of each municipality.
    [Show full text]