Correlation Analysis Between Alternative Livelihood Projects and Illegal Fishing Operations in Region 1, Northwestern Philippines

Correlation Analysis Between Livelihood Projects and Illegal Fishing in Region 1, Northwestern Philippines 2011

1 Regional Development Council 1 and Irene A. De Vera, Pangasinan State University

Correlation Analysis Between Alternative Livelihood Projects and Illegal Fishing Operations in Region 1, Northwestern Philippines

Dr. Irene De Vera Pangasinan State University



TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page

Abstract 1 INTRODUCTION 2 Objectives 5 Significance of the Study 6 Limitation and Definitions of the Study 6 METHODOLOGY 6 Study Sites and Respondents 7 Research Design, Data Collection and Analyses 7 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 8 Socio-Demographic Profile of the Municipal/City Illegal Fishing Operators 8 Age 8 Educational attainment 9 Composition of family members 10 Occupation and monthly income 10 Membership in organizations 11 Municipal/City Illegal Fishing Operations 11 Number within and outside the municipal/city waters area of operation 11 Commonly used municipal/city illegal fishing practices 11 Average volume, common fish species caught and reasons for frequency of fishing

operations 12

Number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted, and fined 13 Common support extended by GOs/LGUs to municipal/city illegal fishing operators 14 Alternative Livelihood Projects 15 Commercial Illegal Fishing Operations 17 Number within and outside the municipal/city waters area of operation 17 Commonly used commercial illegal fishing practices 18 Average volume, common fish species caught and reasons for frequency of fishing

operations 18

Number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted, and fined 19 Common support extended by GOs/LGUs to commercial illegal fishing operators 20 Correlation of Alternative Livelihood Projects to Municipal/City Profile and Commercial

Fishing Operations 20

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city fishing operators’ age

20

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city fishing operators’ educational attainment

22

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ average household members and number of dependents

23

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city fishing operators’ income

24

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to number of municipal/city illegal fishing operators within and outside the municipal/city waters area of operation

25

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city fishing operators’ commonly used illegal practices

26

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ frequency of operations per month

28

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ number of times apprehended, prosecuted and fined

29



Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators with financial support extended by the LGUs and OGAs

30

Summary Findings of Correlation Between Alternative Livelihood Projects to Municipal/City Illegal Fishing Operators’ Profile

31

Correlation of Alternative Livelihood Projects to Commercial Illegal Fishing Operators’ Profile

34

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial illegal fishing operators’ number within and outside the municipal/city waters area of operation

34

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial fishing operators’ most commonly used illegal practices

35

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial illegal fishing operators’ frequency of operations per month

36

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to number of times commercial fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted and fined

37

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial illegal fishing operators with financial support extended by the LGUs and OGAs

39

Summary Findings of Correlation Between Alternative Livelihood Projects to Commercial Illegal Fishing Operators’ Profile

39

SUMMARY 42 CONCLUSIONS 46 RECOMMENDATIONS 49 REFERENCES 50



Abstract

The assessment of the relationship between alternative livelihood projects and illegal

fishing operations by municipal and commercial fishing operators in Region 1, Northwestern

Philippines was carried out in this paper. From the assessment, the data of alternative livelihood

projects from the four coastal provinces of Ilocos Region, Philippines against the data of illegal

fishing operations in Lingayen Gulf and Ilocos Bay, was derived. The study made use of

municipal/city and commercial illegal fishing operations data from 2008 to present, and 2011 and

on-going alternative livelihood projects for them. The use of correlation statistic was conducted to

determine the relationship of the data. From the result, it is found out that alternative livelihood

projects, and municipal/city and commercial illegal fishing operators’ profile including their

operations in the region has substantial relationship.

Key words: alternative livelihood projects, illegal fishing operations, municipal fishing,

commercial fishing



INTRODUCTION

Region 1 is a coastal region of Luzon Island, Northwestern, Philippijnes. Lingayen Gulf

and Ilocos Bay, extensions of South China Sea, are the biggest bodies of water facing Ilocos

Region. These bodies of water are surrounded by four provinces, namely: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur,

La Union and Pangasinan. Three cities and eighteen municipalities of Pangasinan and La Union

surround the Lingayen Gulf while that of Ilocos Bay, three cities and twenty four municipalities of

Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

Lingayen Gulf and Ilocos Bay are considered major fishing grounds of the country.

Some of the country’s 915 reef species (BFAR 2010) abound but small pelagic species dominate

in the said waters. Most of the fish catch are small pelagics, tuna and other large pelagic fishes,

demersal fishes and invertebrates. The Food and Agriculture Organization (2006) describe small

pelagic (surface and mid-water-dwelling) fishes as a group comprise predominantly roundscads

(Decapterus spp., Carangidae), anchovies (Stolephorus spp., Engraulidae), sardines (Sardinella

spp., Clupeidae) and mackerels (Rastrelliger spp., Scombridae). Also included in this group are

the round herrings (Clupeidae), flying fishes (Exocoetidae) and halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae). The

small pelagics are considered the main source of inexpensive animal protein for lower-income

groups in the Philippines. Demersal (bottom-dwelling) fishes include slipmouths, spadefishes,

groupers and catfishes.

The rich fishery resources of Ilocos Region attracted almost 80 % of the people to reside

in the coastal areas and engage in fishing. Historically, the assumed first inhabitants of the region

were the sea farer Austronesians who were responsible in introducing fishing and linear

settlements along the coast. To this day, fishing is still the primary occupation of the region with

monthly income below the poverty threshold level to support a family. Moreover, fishing has two

types, municipal and commercial. Fishing operators engaged in municipal fishing are called

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Philippines

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilocos_Norte

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilocos_Sur

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Union

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangasinan



municipal fishing operators or sometimes called artisanal fishers. The artisanal fishers are

traditional fishers involving fishing household that use relatively small amount of capital. Strictly,

the municipal fishing operators use fishing vessels of three gross tons or less, they make short

fishing trips that are close to shore, and the harvest is mainly for local consumption. Meanwhile,

fishing operators engaged in commercial fishing are called commercial fishers. They use fishing

vessels weighing greater than three gross tons, and catch fish for trade or profit beyond

subsistence or sports fishing (RA 8550). A variety of fishing gear is used by commercial and

municipal fishers to exploit the small pelagic resources. Commercial fishers use mostly purse

seines, ringnets and bag nets. The small pelagic catch of the municipal fishers is taken using

gillnets, hook-and-line, ringnet, beach seine, purse seine, fish corral and bag nets (Zaragosa et al.,

2004a). A variety of fishing gear is used to catch tuna. The purse seines, ringnets and handlines

usually account for over 80% of the annual tuna catch, with nearly half the commercial tuna catch

in 1995 taken by purse seine. The municipal fishers employ a variety (over 20 types) of fishing

gear for tuna. In 1995, two-thirds of the municipal fisheries tuna catch came from line gear

(Zaragosa et al., 2004b).

The payao fish aggregating device (FAD) has been singled out as the most important

factor triggering the phenomenal development of the tuna fishing industry. The effectiveness and

efficiency of payao in attracting tuna (especially yellowfin and skipjack) greatly reduced the time

spent in searching and fishing for commercial volumes. The extensive use of payao, however, may

be rapidly removing undersized juveniles from the stocks and altering migration and feeding

patterns of tunas in Philippine waters (Zaragosa et al., 2004b). Bottom trawl was the major fishing

gear used for demersal fishes from the late 1940s until the mid-1980s. However, due to increases

in fuel prices and depletion of demersal resources, trawl operations dwindled and have been

replaced by more fuel-efficient Danish seines (Armada, 2004). The efficiency of fishing gears and

devices adds pressure on the region’s fishery resources.



The major fishing grounds of Ilocos Region reached its maximum sustainable yield

(MSY) more than 20 years ago. The fishery now has four times the optimum effort for the available

fish stocks. Catch rates are only one-fifth of what they were 15 years ago, compelling fishers to

invest more time and money in dwindling catches (Green et al., 2003). As such, Lingayen Gulf

was declared as an environmentally critical area under Presidential Decree no. 156 in early 1990

as described by Deocadez et al (2008). Overfishing, illegal fishing and pollution are the three

major problems in the gulf. High fishing effort and dependence on fishery resources for livelihood

of an increasing population are the major factors that cause the above problems. The Fishery

Resource Management Project (2001) stressed that capture fisheries with more than 23,000

fishers exert very intense pressure in the gulf. The number of fishers is about 7 fishers per

meter of coastline or about 23 fishers per sq km of municipal fishing ground. High fishing pressure

is attributed to the steady increase of municipal fishing operators since 1976. Encroachment by

the commercial fishing operators is perceived as a major factor that caused the reduction in fishery

production. Hence, the small scale capture fisheries has become the most marginal occupation in

the gulf. The use of destructive fishing methods (dynamite, cyanide, use of fine mesh net and

others) has resulted in a rapid habitat degradation and decline of fishery stock. The average

volume of fish catch based on the study of Oneocean (1998) in 1950 to 1960 was 20

kg/person/day but with the introduction of cyanide, dynamite fishing and use of fine mesh net

reduced to 10 kg/person/day in 1970, 5 kg/person/day in 1980s, 3 kg/person/day in 1990, and 2

kg/person/day in 1998.

Several efforts have been initiated by the government, non-government organizations and

other private entities to lessen the pressure on the fishing grounds particularly Lingayen Gulf of the

region. Beside the creation of Lingayen Gulf Coastal Area Management (LGCAMC) which

functioned from 1994 to 2001, latest efforts are Integrated Coastal Resource Management,



Community Based Resource Management Program, deputization of Bantay Dagat, law

enforcement measures, intensive IEC, provision of alternative livelihood projects, and others.

Alternative livelihood projects can contribute to the fishing society and the millennium

development goals principally through jobs, income, human nutrition and to the sustainability of

the fishing waters. The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 1, eradicate extreme hunger and

poverty, alternative livelihood projects could be hypothesized to reduce poverty. The MDG 2,

achieve universal primary education, if through alternative livelihood projects incomes increase,

then school attendance is likely to improve. MDG 3, promote gender equality and empower

women, would mean women are further empowered through facilitating various kinds of

enterprise. The MDGs 4 and 5, reduce child mortality and improve maternal health could be

hypothesized as child and maternal health conditions would improve if alternative livelihood can

contribute either directly or indirectly to reducing hunger and improving nutritional levels. Lastly,

the MDG 7, ensure environmental sustainability, through alternative livelihood projects, pressure

on fishing waters particularly Lingayen Gulf and Ilocos Bay ensure that fishery resources

(environmental capital) and services are preserved for future generations. How far these

alternative livelihood projects effected change in fishing trend and pressure in the coastal waters

was the focus of this study.

Objectives

Generally, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of alternative

livelihood projects and the illegal fishing operations in the coastal waters of Ilocos Region.

Specifically, the study sought to:

1. determine the profile of the illegal municipal/city and commercial fishing operators, and

2. correlate alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ profile

and operations in the coastal waters of Ilocos Region particularly Lingayen Gulf and



Ilocos Bay.

Significance of the Study

This study would provide baseline information on the profile of illegal fishing operators and

alternative livelihood projects. The provincial governments and costal LGUs of Ilocos Region may

utilize the findings to further support fisher groups in diverting their attention from the costal

environment and initiate to conserve it. The Ilocos Region could use the results of the study to

countercheck and monitor the municipal and commercial fishing operators’ fishing strategy and

practice. The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,

Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) and Municipal/City Agricultural Office (M/CAO) may

use this study in facilitating the planning and implementation of integrated coastal resource

management by the fisherfolks.

Limitation and Definitions of the Study

The study was limited to illegal fishing operations by municipal/city and commercial

fishing operators correlated with the alternative livelihood projects provided to them by LGUs and

government offices like BFAR and DENR.

In this study, Alternative Livelihood Projects refer to livelihood afforded by LGUs, OGAs,

NGOs and private entities for the fishing operators to augment their income through it and lessen

if not eradicate their illegal fishing activities in the coastal waters of Lingayen Gulf and Ilocos Bay.

The project focus is more on environmental conservation.

Illegal fishing operations refer to the illegal fishing practices such as blast or dynamite

fishing, use of fine mesh net or other destructive fishing gears and encroachment by municipal/city

and commercial fishing operators.

Municipal fishing refers to fishing with the use of boats of three gross ton (GT) or less or

fishing that uses gear not requiring the use of boat in the coastal areas and inland waters



(reservoir, lakes, rivers, ponds and other inland bodies of water). Coastal municipal fishing

grounds extend from the shore up to a distance of 15 km.

Commercial fishing refers to fishing with boat of more than 3 gross ton in non-municipal

fishing grounds from 15 km of the municipal waters up to the limits of the Exclusive Economic

Zone (RA 8550).

METHODOLOGY

Study Site and Respondents

The study was conducted in coastal local government units of Ilocos Region. The

respondents, the municipal or city and commercial fishing operators doing illegal fishing operations

from 2008 to June 2011 were considered in this study.

Research Design, Data Collection and Analyses

This study utilized a descriptive design which centred on the relationship of the alternative

livelihood projects and illegal fishing operations in coastal waters of Region 1 specifically Lingayen

Gulf and Ilocos Bay. This research technique was employed in gathering the needed data and

information for the study. Secondary data such as reports submitted by the municipalities, cities

and provinces were collected for more information. The survey questionnaire (prepared by

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 1 and facilitated by coastal

provinces, municipalities and cities) was divided into sets, set A for illegal municipal/city fishing

operators, and set B for illegal commercial fishing operators. The set A survey questionnaire was

subdivided into: A. General Profile, and B. Information on Illegal Fishing Operations. The set B

intended for illegal commercial fish operators concentrated only on the Information on Illegal

Fishing Operations.



The SPSS version 17.0 software program was used in encoding data and processing of

information. Correlation tests such as Pearson Product Moment Coefficient and Spearman Rho

were used to determine the strength or degree of variables’ relationship, in this study, illegal

fishing operators’ profile and operations, and alternative livelihood projects.

In this study, interpretation of correlation coefficient made use of the guide prepared by

several authors retrieved from the internet, wikipedia website.

Correlation Negative Positive None -0.09 to 0.0 0.0 to 0.09 Small or weak -0.3 to -0.1 0.1 to 0.3 Medium or moderate -0.5 to -0.3 0.3 to 0.5 Strong -1.0 to -0.5 0.5 to 1.0

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This part of the paper tackled the profile of the illegal fishing operators provided by the

coastal LGUs and the analysis of the data. The alternative livelihood projects were correlated to

illegal fishing operators’ profile and their operations in Lingayen Gulf and Ilocos Bay. The

illustration and interpretation of collated data were presented.

Socio- Demographic Profile of the Municipal/City Illegal Fishing Operators

The profile of the respondents according to different socio-demographic parameters were

discussed below.

Age. Table 1 below shows the the oldest, average and youngest illegal municipal/city

fishing operators of the Ilocos Region.

The oldest age of fishing operators for Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan was 65.

The youngest age was 8 years old while the average age was 30, 55, 40 and 36 for Ilocos Norte,

Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan, respectively. The municipal/city fishing operators with ages



65 and 8 could be categorized as unproductive ages. The age 8 fishing operator should have

gone to school for education and the age 65 should have stayed home for rest and relaxation.

Allowing age 8 engage in illegal fishing operations may tend to perpetuate illegal fishing operations

and influence others.

Table 1. Age of illegal municipal/city fishing operators in Ilocos Region, 2011

Province Age of illegal municipal fishermen Oldest Average Youngest

Ilocos Norte 65 30 11 Ilocos Sur 65 55 19 La Union 60 40 20 Pangasinan 65 36 8

Educational attainment. Table 2 shows the educational attainment of the municipal and

city illegal fishing operators.

Some of the fishing operators in Pangasinan reached college, Ilocos Sur fishing operators

graduated in high school, while Ilocos Norte and La Union fishing operators reached high school

level. All of the provinces’ fishing operators lowest educational attainment was elementary level.

The most common educational attainment by fishing operators of Ilocos Norte and Sur was high

school graduate while La Union and Pangasinan were high school level and elementary graduate,

respectively. It can be interpreted that majority of the municipal/city fishing operators were

schooled however, their educational attainment could not qualify them for higher jobs instead

resort to fishing and more often illegal fishing.

Table 2. Educational attainment of illegal municipal/city fishing operators of Ilocos Region, 2011

Province Educational Attainment Highest Lowest Most Common

Ilocos Norte High school level Elementary level High school graduate Ilocos Sur High school graduate Elementary level High school graduate La Union High school level Elementary level High school level Pangasinan College graduate Elementary level Elementary graduate



Composition of family members. The average composition of family members by

municipal/city illegal fishing operators are shown in Table 3.

Ilocos Sur had 15, the highest average number of household members and the lowest

was La Union of 4. For the highest average number of family dependents, Ilocos Sur and

Pangasinan showed 6 and the lowest, Ilocos Norte of 3 dependents. It can be deduced that the

average number of members and dependents were large enough to force the municipal/city

fishing operators resort to illegal fishing operations.

Table 3. Average composition of family members

Province Average Family Members Household Dependent

Ilocos Norte 5 3 Ilocos Sur 15 6 La Union 4 4 Pangasinan 8 6

Occupation and monthly income. The occupation and monthly income of

municipal/city illegal fishing operators are shown in Table 4. Fishing was the primary occupation

of the municipal and illegal fishing operators with average monthly income of P7,492.50 for La

Union, P3,500 for Pangasinan, and P3,000 both for Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Being laborer

was the secondary source of income for Ilocos Sur and La Union while farming and carpentry were

the secondary occupation by Pangasinan municipal/city illegal fishing operators. The primary

and secondary incomes of the municipal/city fishing operators were not enough to feed their

number of household members and dependents.

Table 4. Occupation and monthly income of municipal/city illegal fishing operators in Ilocos Region, 2011.

Province Occupation and Average Monthly Income Primary Income

(P) Secondary Income

(P) Other

Sources Income

(P)

Ilocos Norte Fishing 3,000 Ilocos Sur Fishing 3,000 Laborer 2,000 Driving 1,500 La Union Fishing 7,492.50 Laborer 2,500



Pangasinan Fishing 3,500 Farming/carpentry 1,500 Laborer 1,500

Membership in organizations. All of the municipal/city illegal fishing operators were

members of fisherfolk association in their respective places. It can be interpreted that all

municipal/city illegal fishing operators were active members of fisherfolk association.

Municipal/City Illegal Fishing Operations

Number within and outside the municipal/city waters area of operation. Area of

fishing operation could be within or outside the municipal and city waters. The number within and

outside the municipal or city waters area of operation by the municipal/city illegal fishing operators

are presented in Table 5. Ilocos Sur had the highest number within the municipal/city of area of

operation with 220, Pangasinan had 6 while Ilocos Norte , 2. As for the number outside the

municipal and city waters operation, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan had 10 and 2, respectively. It can

be inferred that many municipal fishing operators do illegal fishing practices within municipal/city

waters.

Table 5. Number within and outside municipal/city waters area of operation by municipal/city illegal fishing operators in Ilocos Region, 2011

Province Number Within and Outside Area of Operation by Municipal/City Illegal Fishing Operators

within the municipal/city waters outside municipal/city waters

Ilocos Norte 2 Ilocos Sur 220 10 La Union Pangasinan 6 2

Commonly used municipal/city illegal fishing practices. Table 6 shows the commonly

used illegal practices by the municipal/city fishing operators in Ilocos Region, 2011.

Dynamite or blast fishing was the most common illegal fishing practiced by the

municipal/city fishing operators. Pangasinan illegal fishing operators revealed the highest



percentage of 100% followed by La Union, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur with 90%, 85% and 75%,

respectively.

The common illegal fishing practiced by Ilocos Sur municipal/city fishing operators was

use of triple net with 50%, use of fine mesh net by Pangasinan with 40%, and use of compressor

by La Union with 5%.

The least common illegal fishing practiced by Ilocos Sur municipal/city fishing operators

was the use of compressor with 30%, use of poison by Ilocos Norte with 15%, use of fine mesh net

by La Union with 5%, and use of poison by Pangasinan with 2%.

It can be deduced that blast or dynamite fishing, according to Lachica (2006), was the

most economical among illegal fishing practices and so preferred by many fishing operators.

Table 6. Commonly used illegal practices in Ilocos Region, 2011.

Province Commonly Used Illegal Practices Most Common Common Least Common Practice % Practice % Practice %

Ilocos Norte dynamite fishing 85 Use of poison 15 Ilocos Sur dynamite fishing 75 Use of triple net 50 Use of

compressor 30

La Union dynamite fishing 90 Use of compressor 5 Use of fine mesh net

5

Pangasinan dynamite fishing 100 Use of fine mesh net

40 Use of poison 2

Average volume, common fish species caught and reasons for frequency of illegal

fishing operations. Data on average volume, common fish species caught and reasons for

frequency of illegal fishing operations in Ilocos Region, 2011 are shown in Table 7.

The average volume of fish caught per operation by the municipal/city illegal fishing

operators in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan were 3, 10 and 23 kg, respectively.

Most of the species caught by the municipal/city illegal fishing operators particularly La

Union were pelagic ones. Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan municipal/city illegal fishing operators



caught pelagic, demersal and reef fish species. The said provinces have coral reefs where reef

species grazed upon.

Ilocos Norte municipal/city illegal fishing operators frequency of illegal fishing operations

revealed fifteen times in a month while that of Ilocos Sur, five times in a month.

Poverty was the most common reason followed by easy to catch reason in undertaking

illegal fishing operation. The least reason was peer influence.

The dominant fish illegally caught per operation were pelagic fish of lesser volume.

Poverty caused these fishing operators do illegal fishing which gradually deplete the coastal

fishery resources.

Table 7. Average volume, common fish species caught and reasons for frequency of illegal fishing operations

Province Average volume, common fish species caught and reasons for frequency of illegal fishing operations

Average volume of fish/operation (kg)

Fish species commonly

caught

Frequency of fishing/month

Common reason for undertaking illegal fishing

Ilocos Norte 3 Pelagic, demersal and reef species

15 Poverty, easy to catch, peer’s influence

Ilocos Sur 10 Pelagic and demersal species

5 Easy to catch

La Union Pelagic species

Poverty, illiteracy, peer’s influence, vices and emergency needs

Pangasinan 23 Pelagic, demersal and reef species

Poverty, low fish catch, easy money

Number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted and fined.

Table 8 presents the number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted and fined

in Ilocos Region, 2011. Pangasinan municipal/city illegal fishing operators had highest

apprehension case with 100 followed by Ilocos Sur of 20 times, Ilocos Norte, 4 times and La

Union, once. Out of 100 apprehended Pangasinan municipal/city illegal fishing operators, 96



were prosecuted but 99 were fined. Ilocos Sur had three prosecution case and two fined. It can

be interpreted that Pangasinan municipal/city fishing operators were seasoned illegal fishing

operators. Law enforcement seemed less visible or inactive in the region. One municipality in

Pangasinan was dedicated in coastal patrolling and surveillance, and observant of fishery policies.

Table 8. Number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted and fined in Ilocos Region, 2011

Province Number of times fishers apprehended, prosecuted and fined Apprehended Prosecuted Fined

Ilocos Norte 4 Ilocos Sur 20 3 2 La Union 1 1 Pangasinan 100 96 99

Common Support Extended by GOs /LGUs to municipal/city illegal fishing

operators. Table 9 presents common support extended by government offices (GOs), and Local

government units (LGU) to municipal/city illegal fishing operators in Ilocos Region.

Except for Ilocos Sur, all LGU municipality and city’s support to municipal/city illegal

fishing operators were provision of alternative livelihood projects which were fishery based. Ilocos

Sur provided seminar/training for livelihood for illegal fishing operators. Other government offices

were supportive to Ilocos Norte (P2M) and Ilocos Sur (P212,300) in providing financial assistance

and fish aggregating device for La Union. The support from LGUs and GOs were seemingly not

enough for municipal fishing operators as evidenced by the perpetuation of illegal fishing

operations and the scarcity of commercially valued fishery resources of the coastal fishing

grounds.



Table 9. Common Support Extended by GOs /LGUs to illegal fishing operators

Province Support Extended by LGUs/GOs to Illegal Fishing Operators LGU city/municipality LGU province GO Support Amount

(P) Support Amount

(P) Support Amount

(P)

Ilocos Norte Provision of alternative livelihood projects

Provision of alternative livelihood projects

Financial assistance

2,000,000

Ilocos Sur Seminar/ training for livelihood


Financial assistance

212,300

La Union Provision of alternative livelihood projects


Fish aggregating device (Payao )

Pangasinan Provision of alternative livelihood projects


Alternative Livelihood Projects

Majority of the alternative livelihood projects provided to the municipal illegal fishing

operators were fishery based. The identified livelihood projects were fishery post harvest,

processing and value added, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, fishery related MSM

Enterprises, fishing structures, gears and devices, fishery habitat enhancement, gardening and

vegetable vending, and, consumer store. Data on livelihood projects and number of beneficiaries

are shown in Table 10.

The LGU Ilocos Sur had the highest number of alternative livelihood projects and number

of fishing operator beneficiaries. Majority of its alternative livelihood projects were fishery based

and agriculture related projects with 1,524 and 159 fishing operator beneficiaries, respectively.

This was followed by the LGU Ilocos Norte with a total number of fishing operator beneficiaries of

439. The LGU La Union and Pangasinan had the least number of fishing operator beneficiaries



of alternative livelihood projects with 287 and 277, respectively. A total of 2, 527 municipal fishing

operators were benefited of the alternative livelihood projects.

Garces (2011) in her study of role of small- scale fisheries in food security and livelihoods

in the country stated that Ilocos Region had a total municipal fishing boats of 17, 678 in 2007.

Eleven thousand six hundred forty one of which were motorized ones. If these boats were owned

individually then only 14% of municipal fishing operators were benefited out of alternative

livelihoods. The Fisheries Resources Management Project claimed that as of 2001, there were

23,000 fishers in Lingayen Gulf alone. It can be interpreted that there were many alternative

livelihood projects provided by the LGUs but small number of fishing operators benefited.

Table 10. Number of illegal fishing operator beneficiaries of alternative livelihood projects provided by the local government units and other government offices.

Alternative livelihood projects for individual/household fisherfolk

Pangasinan La Union Ilocos Sur Ilocos Norte

Total 277 287 1,524 439 Fishery Based Proj (257) (287) (1,365) (249) Fishery Post Harvest, Processing and Value Added

95 87

Smoked fish 25 Fish drying 95 Fish deboning Bagoong making 62 Seaweed candy making Nutri-snack making Culture of Fish and High Value Invertebrates

20 60 1,189 191

Bangus prdn 121 Malaga (siganid) 14 Sea urchin 25 60 Sea cucumber 35 Oyster 20 Tilapia 9 191 Fry/fingerling gathering 70 Fish nursery/grow-out 915 Fishery related MSMEnterprises 70 Talipapa Fish vending Buy and sell of fish 70



Fishing Structures, Gears and Devices

100 140 46 58

Floating fish cages Motorized banca Bottom set gill net Beach seine 46 58 Payao 140 All of the above 100 Fishery Habitat Enhancement 42 60 Mangrove seedling prdn 42 Mangrove planting Seaweed planting 60 Agriculture related proj (159) Animal production 119 Swine fattening 18 Broiler/Poultry /sasso chicken raising 100 Cattle dispersal 1 Gardening and vegetable vending 40 Commercial related SMEnterprises (20) Consumer store 20

Commercial Illegal Fishing Operations

Number within the municipal/city waters area of operation. The area of fishing

operation by the commercial fishing operators was outside the municipal/city waters. However,

encroachment within the municipal/city waters was possibly done by commercial fishing operators

as presented in Table 11.

Ilocos Sur had the highest number of commercial illegal fishing operation outside the

municipal/city waters with 20, Pangasinan had 6 while Ilocos Norte, 2. As for the number of illegal

fishing operators operating within the municipal/city waters, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan had 2 and

20, respectively. The commercial fishing operators operate illegal fishing in two types, by use of

illegal gears, and devices, and by encroaching and fishing within the municipal/city waters.



Table 11. Number of illegal commercial fishing operators operating within municipal/city waters in Ilocos Region, 2011

Province Number of Illegal Fishing Operators within the municipal/city waters outside municipal/city waters

Ilocos Norte 2 Ilocos Sur 2 20 La Union Pangasinan 20 6

Commonly used commercial illegal fishing practices. Table 12 shows the commonly

used illegal practices by the commercial fishing operators in Ilocos Region, 2011.

The most common illegal commercial fishing practice was dynamite or blast fishing

(75%) by Ilocos Sur fishing operators. Trawl fishing was the most illegal fishing practiced by La

Union and Pangasinan fishing operators with 100% and 50%, respectively. Moreover,

Pangasinan illegal fishing operators common practice was the use of fine mesh net with 45% and

the least one, the use of poison other than cyanide, 5%. Green (4004) and Lachica (2006)

claimed that dynamite and trawl fishing are the most destructive illegal fishing practices.

Table 12. Commonly used illegal practices by commercial fishing operators in Ilocos Region, 2011.

Province Commonly Used Illegal Practices Most Common Common Least Common

Practice % Practice % Practice %

Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur dynamite fishing 75 La Union trawl fishing 100 Pangasinan trawl fishing 50 Use of fine mesh

net 45 Other

destructive fishing practice

5

Average volume, common fish species caught and reasons for frequency of illegal

commercial fishing operations. Data on average volume, common fish species caught and

reasons for frequency of illegal fishing operations in Ilocos Region, 2011 are shown in Table 13.



Pelagic and demersal species were the most common species caught by the commercial

illegal fishing operators. Pangasinan commercial illegal fishing operators encroached in the

municipal waters as evident by reef fish species caught. The average volume of fish caught by

Ilocos Sur fishing operators were 5 tons which is greater than Pangasinan with 0.35 ton. In terms

of frequency of fishing per month, La Union illegal commercial fishing operators operated 12

times. Poverty, peer influence and inappropriate fishing gear were their reasons.

The commercial fishing operators’ average illegal catch per operation were predominantly

pelagic fish of lesser volume and ease of catch were the reasons for illegal fishing operations.

Table 13. Average volume, common fish species caught and reasons for frequency of illegal fishing operations

Province Average volume , common fish species caught and reasons for frequency of illegal fishing operations

Average volume of fish/operation (ton)

Fish species commonly

caught

Frequency of fishing/month

Common reason for undertaking illegal fishing

Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur 5 Pelagic and

demersal species

Easy to catch

La Union Can not determine Pelagic species

12 Poverty, illiteracy, peer’s influence, and emergency needs

Pangasinan 0.35 Pelagic, demersal and reef species

Fishing gear not use for deep sea

Number of times commercial illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted and

fined. Table 14 presents the number of illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted and

fined in Ilocos Region, 2011. Pangasinan commercial illegal fishing operators revealed the

highest apprehension case with 14 apprehended fishing operators followed by Ilocos Sur of 10,

and La Union, one. Out of 14 apprehended Pangasinan commercial illegal fishing operators,

none was prosecuted but 2 were fined. Like the municipal/city illegal fishing operations, the law

enforcement for commercial illegal fishing operations seemed less visible in the region.



Table 14. Number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted and fined in Ilocos Region, 2011

Province Number of times fishers apprehended, prosecuted and fined Apprehended Prosecuted Fined

Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur 10 La Union 1 Pangasinan 14 2

Common support extended by GOs/LGUs to commercial illegal fishing operators.

Table 15 presents common support extended by government offices (GOs), and Local

government units (LGU) to commercial illegal fishing operators in Ilocos Region.

The local government unit of Pangasinan support extended to halt illegal commercial

fishing operators were continuous patrolling and surveillance. The commercial illegal fishing

operations may not be stopped but could be slowed down temporarily during patrolling and

surveillance.

Table 15. Common support extended by GOs/LGUs to illegal commercial fishing operators

Province Support Extended by LGUs/GOs to Illegal Commercial Fishing Operators LGU city/municipality LGU province GO Support Amount

(P) Support Amount

(P) Support Amount

(P) Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur La Union Pangasinan Continuous

patrolling and surveillance

Correlation of Alternative Livelihood Projects to Municipal/City Profile and Commercial Fishing Operations

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city fishing operators’

age. Table 16 shows the correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city fishing

operators’ age. Alternative livelihood projects, fishery post harvest, processing and value added,

and fishery habitat enhancement exhibited strong positive correlation to illegal municipal/city



fishing operators’ age. Middle aged municipal/city fishing operators enjoyed illegal fishing

operations despite presence of all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and invertebrates, and

fishery habitat enhancement projects. The fishery post harvest, processing and value added, and

fishing structures, gears and devices projects projected a strong negative correlation to middle

aged municipal/city illegal fishing operators. At their active age, middle aged municipal/city fishing

operators lessen their illegal fishing operations through fishery post harvest, processing and

value added, and fishing structures, gears and devices projects.

A positive and strong correlation showed between fishery post harvest, processing and

value added alternative livelihood projects to old aged municipal/city fishing operators. The

veteran and old aged municipal fishing operators increased their illegal fishing operations during

increased fishery post harvest, processing and value added alternative livelihood projects.

The young aged municipal fishing operators and fishery post harvest, processing and

value added projects revealed a negative but strong correlation. Young aged municipal/city fishing

operators minimized their illegal fishing operations with the availability of the fishery post harvest,

processing and value added projects.

Table 16. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ age by province, Ilocos Region, 2011.

Profile of Municipal/City Illegal Fishing Operators

Alternative Livelihood Project Pearson Product Moment

Interpretation

Middle age All alternative livelihood projects

.873 Strong correlation

Fishery post harvest, processing and value added

-1.000 Strong correlation

Culture of fish and high value invertebrates


Fishing structures, gears and devices

-.886 Strong correlation

Fishery habitat enhancement 1.000 Strong correlation

Old age All alternative livelihood projects

.383 Moderate correlation


1.000 Strong correlation






-.229 Weak correlation

Young age All alternative livelihood projects





.496 Medium correlation


-.312 Medium correlation


Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing

operators’ educational attainment. The correlation of alternative livelihood projects to

municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ educational attainment is summarized in Table 17. Illegal

municipal/city fishing operators with highest educational attainment had strong positive correlation

to fishery post harvest, processing and value added livelihood project. Fishing structures, gears

and devices, and availability of fishery habitat enhancement projects resulted in a strong negative

correlation to municipal/city fishing operator’s highest educational attainment. Highly educated

fishing operators continued their illegal fishing operations to meet the demand for fishery post

harvest, processing and value added livelihood projects. Moreover, these highly educated

municipal/city illegal fishing operators minimized their operation upon provision of fishing

structures, gears and devices, and availability of fishery habitat enhancement projects by the

LGUs concerned.

The municipal illegal fishing operators’ most common education revealed strong positive

correlations to all livelihood projects particularly to culture of fish and high value invertebrates and

fishery habitat enhancement but negatively correlated to fishery post harvest, processing and

value added livelihood project. This implies that commonly educated municipal fishing operators

did illegal fishing operations despite increased in culture of fish and high value invertebrates and

fishery habitat enhancement livelihood projects. They minimized their illegal fishing operations



with the increased fishery post harvest, processing and value added livelihood projects. It can be

interpreted that commonly educated municipal illegal fishing operators valued fishery post

harvest, processing and value added livelihood projects.

Table 17. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city fishing operators’ educational attainment by province, Ilocos Region, 2011.


Alternative Livelihood Project Spearman Rho

Interpretation

Highest Educational Attainment

All alternative livelihood projects





-.316 Moderate correlation



Fishery habitat enhancement -1.000 Strong correlation

Most Common Education All alternative livelihood projects







.105 Weak correlation



operators’ average household members and number of dependents. Shown in Table 18 is the

correlation of the alternative livelihood projects to municipality/city illegal fishing operators’ average

household members and number of dependents.

The municipal illegal fishing operators’ average household members had strong positive

correlation to all livelihood projects except to fishing structures, gears and devices which resulted

to a strong negative correlation. This implies that municipal/city fishing operators with higher

average household members lessen their illegal fishing operations with increased fishing

structures, gears and devices projects.



The municipal/city fishing operators’ average number of dependents had strong positive

correlation to fishery post harvest, processing and value added but had strong negative correlation

to fishing structures, gears and devices. The municipal/city fishing operators with average

number of dependents increased their illegal fishing operations with the advent of fishery post

harvest, processing and value added projects. With the availability of fishing structures, gears and

devices projects, moreover, these municipal/city fishing operators with average number of

dependents reduced their illegal means of fishing.

Table 18. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city fishing operators’ average household members and number of dependents by province, Ilocos Region, 2011



Interpretation

Average household members










Average number of dependents

All alternative livelihood project .470 Moderate correlation








operators’ income. Table 19 shows the correlation of alternative livelihood projects to

municipal/city fishing operators’ income. The municipal/city illegal fishing operators with fishing

as their primary income disclosed negative but strong correlation to fishery post harvest,

processing and value added, and fishery habitat enhancement projects. These fishing operators



with fishing as their primary income reduced their illegal fishing activities with the existence of

fishery post harvest, processing and value added, and fishery habitat enhancement projects.

The correlation between the municipal/city fishing operators with secondary income and

alternative livelihood revealed a negative and positive relationship to fishery post harvest,

processing and value added, and fishery habitat enhancement projects, respectively. These

fishing operators with secondary income became slowly inactive with the introduction of fishery

post harvest, processing and value added project.

Table 19. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city fishing operators’ primary and secondary incomes by province, Ilocos Region, 2011



Interpretation

Primary Income All alternative livelihood projects -.441 Moderate correlation






.213 Weak correlation


Secondary Income All alternative livelihood project .007 No correlation




.030 No correlation




Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to number of municipal/city illegal

fishing operators within and outside the municipal/city waters area of operation.

Municipal/city fishing operators operating within the municipal/city waters but using illegal fishing

means and encroaching outside municipal/city waters are considered illegal. Table 20 presents



the correlation between alternative livelihood projects and the number within and outside

municipal/city waters area of operation.

The number of municipal/city fishing operators within and outside the municipal waters

area of operation showed strong correlation to all alternative livelihood projects, culture of fish

and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat enhancement projects but fishing structures,

gears and devices meanwhile revealed negative but strong correlation. Municipal illegal fishing

operations within and outside the municipal/city waters continued to rise albeit available

alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat

enhancement projects. Further, the increase of fishing structures, gears and devices resulted to

decline in municipal illegal fishing operations within and outside the municipal/city waters .

Table 20. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to number of municipal/city illegal fishing operators within and outside the municipal/city waters area of operation by province, Ilocos Region, 2011



Interpretation

No. within the municipal waters








No. outside the municipal waters








Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commonly used illegal practices by

municipal/city fishing operators. The correlation between alternative livelihood projects to most

commonly used illegal practices is presented in Table 21. The illegal municipal/city fishing



operators’ most commonly used illegal practices stressed strong positive correlation to fishery

post harvest, processing and value added livelihood projects. Its correlation to all alternative

livelihood projects, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat enhancement

resulted to negative relationship. This implies that the most commonly used illegal practices

increased with increased fishery post harvest, processing and value added project, and decreased

with the presence of all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and

fishery habitat enhancement projects. All alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value

invertebrates, and fishery enhancement projects sounded viable in reducing most commonly used

illegal fishing practices.

Commonly used illegal practices revealed strong correlation to fishery post harvest,

processing and value added, and fishery habitat enhancement. On one hand, it revealed a

negative but strong correlation to fishing structures, gears and devices. It can be implied that

commonly used illegal practices by the municipal/city fishing operators were minimized with the

provision or increase of fishing structures, gears and devices.

The least commonly used illegal practices showed strong positive correlation to all

alternative livelihoods, fishery related enterprises, and animal production projects. It also showed

strong but negative correlation to fishery post harvest, processing and value added, and fishery

habitat enhancement. The municipal/city fishing operators with the least common illegal fishing

practice decreased their illegal operations with the implementation of fishery habitat enhancement

project.

Table 21. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commonly used illegal practices by the municipal/city fishing operators by province, Ilocos Region, 2011



Interpretation

Most commonly used illegal practices





Culture of fish and high value -1.000 Strong



invertebrates correlation Fishing structures, gears and

devices .200 Weak

correlation Fishery habitat enhancement -1.000 Strong

correlation Commonly used illegal practices










Least commonly used illegal practices







Fishery related MSMEnterprise 1.000 Strong correlation


Animal Production 1.000 Strong correlation


operators’ frequency of operations per month. Table 22 shows the correlation of alternative

livelihood projects to frequency of operations per month by the municipal/city illegal fishing

operators. Illegal fishing operations per month by the municipal/city fishing operators showed a

positive correlation to fishing structures, gears and devices. The illegal fishing operations were

frequent with the provision of fishing structures, gears and device. All alternative livelihoods, and

culture of fish and high value invertebrates revealed strong negative relationship to frequency of

operations per month by the municipal/city illegal fishing operators. The provision of all alternative

livelihood projects and culture of fish and high value invertebrates lessen the frequency of

municipal/city illegal fishing operations per month.



The average volume of fish catch disclosed negative but strong correlation to fishery

habitat enhancement project. The average volume of fish catch which was dependent to the

frequency of fishing operations decreased with the introduction of fishery habitat enhancement

livelihood projects.

Table 22. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to frequency of operations per month by the municipal/city illegal fishing operators by province, Ilocos Region, 2011



Interpretation

Frequency of fishing operations per month







Average Volume of fish catch

All alternative livelihood project beneficiaries



-.285 Small correlation





operators with number of times apprehended, prosecuted and fined. The correlation of

alternative livelihood projects to number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted

and fined are presented in Table 23. The number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended,

prosecuted were high with increased alternative livelihood projects of fishery post harvest,

processing and value added, and fishing structures, gears and devices. The fishery habitat

enhancement project and the number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted,

and fined manifested a strong negative relationship. Moreover, the provision of fishery habitat

enhancement project made the number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended,

prosecuted, and fined decreased prompting them to divert their attention to said project.



Table 23. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators with number of times apprehended, prosecuted and fined by province, Ilocos Region, 2011.



Interpretation

Number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended










Number of times illegal fishing operators prosecuted








Number of times illegal fishing operators fined








.077 No correlation



operators with financial support extended by the LGUs and OGAs. Table 24 shows the

correlation of alternative livelihood projects to the municipal/city illegal fishing operators with

financial support extended by the LGUs and other government offices. The correlation between

the municipal/city fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs and OGAs and all

alternative livelihood projects, and culture of fish and high value invertebrates resulted to a strong

negative relationship. A strong positive correlation existed between alternative livelihood projects



to financial support extended by the LGUs and other government offices to the municipal/city

illegal fishing operators and fishing structures, gears and devices project.

Municipal/city fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs and OGAs lessen

their illegal fishing operations upon availability of all alternative livelihoods particularly culture of

fish and other invertebrates.

Table 24. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs, OGAs to the illegal municipal fishing operators by province, Ilocos Region, 2011.



Interpretation

Financial Support Extended All alternative livelihood projects






Summary Findings of Correlation Between Alternative Livelihood Projects to Municipal/City Illegal Fishing Operators’ Profile Table 25 presents the summary findings of correlation between alternative livelihood

projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ profile.

Summing up the correlation between alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal

fishing operators’ profile, fishery habitat enhancement disclosed a strong negative correlation

followed by fishing structures, gears and devices, post harvest, processing and value added

alternative projects.

Of all the alternative livelihood projects provided by the LGUs, fishery habitat

enhancement topped the list which lessen the illegal fishing operations by the municipal fishing

operators. This was followed by fishing structures, gears and devices project and thirdly, by the

fishery post harvest, processing and value added alternative project.



Table 25. Summary Findings of Correlation of Alternative Livelihood Projects to Municipal/City Illegal Fishing Operators’ Profile

Illegal Municipal/City Fishing Operators’ Profile

All Alternative Livelihoods

Fishery Post Harvest, Processing and Value Added

Culture of Fish and High Value Invertebrates

Fishery related MSM Enterprises


Fishery Habitat Enhancement

Animal production

Middle age - - Old age Young age - - Highest educational attainment

- -

Most common education

-

Ave. household members

-

Ave. no. of dependents

-

Primary income - - Secondary income

-

No. of times illegal fishers operate within municipal/city waters

-

No. of times -



illegal fishers operate outside municipal/city waters


- - -

Commonly used illegal practices

-

Least commonly used illegal practices

- -

Frequency of fishing operation per month

- -

Ave. volume of fish catch

-

No. of times Illegal fishers apprehended

-

No. of times Illegal fishers prosecuted

- - -

No. of times Illegal fishers fined

- -

Financial support extended

- -

Summary 4 6 5 7 9

Legend: + strong positive correlation, -- strong negative correlation



Correlation of Alternative Livelihood Projects to Commercial Illegal Fishing Operators’ Profile

Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to number of commercial illegal fishing

operators within and outside the municipal/city waters area of operation. Legally,

commercial fishing operators operate outside the municipal/city waters. Encroaching within the

municipal/city water is considered illegal so with the use of prohibited gears and devices for

fishing. Table 26 presents the correlation between alternative livelihood projects and the

municipal/city fishing operators’ number of illegal fishing operations within and outside

municipal/city waters.

The number of commercial illegal fishing operators within the municipal waters area of

operation stressed strong negative correlation to all alternative livelihood projects, culture of fish

and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat enhancement projects. It showed, however, a

strong and positive correlation to fishing structures, gears and devices. The availability of all


enhancement projects minimized the number of commercial illegal fishing operators within the

municipal waters.

On the other hand, the correlation of the number of commercial illegal fishing operators

outside the municipal waters area of operation and the alternative livelihood projects resulted

exactly opposite of the outcomes of the operation within municipal waters. All alternative

livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat enhancement projects

indicated all strong positive correlation to number of operations outside municipal waters and only

fishing structures, gears and devices showed strong negative correlation. This means that

commercial fishing operators operating outside the municipal waters lessen their illegal fishing

operations with the availability of fishing structures, gears and devices.



Appropriate fishing structures, gears and devices livelihood project seemed urgently

needed by commercial fishing operators to keep them from use of trawl and illegal practices.

Table 26. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to number of commercial illegal fishing operators within and outside the municipal/city waters area of operation by province, Ilocos Region, 2011



Interpretation

No. within the municipal waters








No. outside the municipal waters








Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial fishing operators’ most

commonly used illegal practices. The correlation between alternative livelihood projects to most

commonly used illegal practices by the commercial fishing operators is presented in Table 27.

The illegal commercial fishing operators’ most commonly used illegal practices revealed a strong

negative correlation to all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and

fishery habitat enhancement but positive correlation to fishing structures, gears and devices

projects. It can be implied that municipal/city fishing operators minimized the use of illegal fishing

practices with the increase of fishery habitat enhancement project.



Table 27. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commonly used illegal practices by commercial fishing operators by province, Ilocos Region, 2011



Interpretation









Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial illegal fishing operators’

frequency of operations per month. Table 28 reveals the correlation of alternative livelihood

projects to frequency of operations per month by the commercial illegal fishing operators. No data

provided by the respondents on the commercial illegal fishing operators’ frequency of operations

per month. Only average volume of fish catch was provided. A strong positive correlation

emerged between the commercial illegal fishing operators with average volume of fish catch and

all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and other invertebrates, and fishery habitat enhancement

projects. Meanwhile, the commercial fishing operators with average volume of fish catch’s

correlation to fishing structures, gears and devices projects indicated a strong negative

relationship. The availability or increase of the fishing structures, gears and devices projects

lessen the illegal fishing activity of the commercial fishing operators with average volume of fish

catch.



Table 28. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to volume of fish catch per operation by commercial illegal fishing operators by province, Ilocos Region, 2011



Interpretation

Average Volume of fish catch








Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial fishing operators’

number of times apprehended, prosecuted and fined. The correlation of alternative livelihood

projects to number of times commercial illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted and

fined are presented in Table 29. The number of times commercial illegal fishing operators

apprehended indicated a strong negative correlation to all alternative livelihoods, and fishing

structures, gears and devices projects while a positive correlation to fishery post harvest,

processing and value added, and culture of fish and high value invertebrates projects. The

commercial fishing operators with number of times apprehended lessen their illegal fishing

operations with the presence of all alternative livelihoods, and availability of fishing structures,

gears and devices projects.

A strong negative correlation existed between the commercial fishing operators with

number of times prosecuted and all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value

invertebrates, and fishery habitat enhancement projects. The fishing structures, gears and

devices meantime showed a positive correlation. The commercial fishing operators with number

of times prosecuted reduced their illegal fishing operations with the availability or increase of all


enhancement projects.



The commercial fishing operators with number of times fined and all alternative

livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishing structures, gears and devices

projects resulted to strong negative correlations. Fishery post harvest, processing and value added

project, on the other hand, showed a strong positive correlation to the commercial fishing

operators with number of times fined. Presence of all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and

high value invertebrates, and fishing structures, gears and devices projects lessen the illegal

operations of commercial fishing operators with number of times fined.

Table 29. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to number of times illegal fishing operators apprehended, prosecuted and fined by province, Ilocos Region, 2011.



Interpretation

Number of times illegal commercial fishing operators apprehended










Number of times illegal fishing operators prosecuted








Number of times illegal fishing operators fined


-.1.000 Strong correlation






-1.000 No correlation



Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial illegal fishing operators

with financial support extended by the LGUs and OGAs. Table 30 shows the correlation of

alternative livelihood projects to commercial illegal fishing operators with financial support

extended by the LGUs and other government offices. A strong negative correlation existed

between the commercial illegal fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs and

OGAs and all alternative livelihoods, and culture of fish and high value invertebrates projects.

The presence or increase of fishing structures, gears and devices project resulted to a strong

positive correlation or increased illegal fishing operations by commercial fishing operators with

financial support extended by LGUs and OGAs. All alternative livelihoods, and culture of fish and

high value invertebrates projects lessen the illegal operations of the commercial fishing operators

with financial support extended by LGUs and OGAs.

Table 30. Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial illegal fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs and OGAs by province, Ilocos Region, 2011.



Interpretation

Financial Support Extended All alternative livelihood projects






Summary Findings of Correlation Between Alternative Livelihood Projects to Commercial Illegal Fishing Operators’ Profile Table 31 presents the summary findings of correlation between alternative livelihood

projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ profile.

A strong negative relationship existed between all alternative livelihood projects to the

commercial illegal fishing operator’s profile.

All the alternative livelihood projects provided by the LGUs to the commercial fishing

operators caused to lessen their illegal fishing activities. They also lessen their illegal fishing



operations with the provision of culture of fish and high value invertebrates and fishing structures,

gears and devices projects.



Table 31. Summary Findings of Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to commercial illegal fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs, OGAs to the illegal commercial fishing operators by province, Ilocos Region, 2011.

Illegal Commercial Fishing Operators’ Profile

All Alternative Livelihoods

Fishery Post Harvest, Processing and Value Added

Culture of Fish and High Value Invertebrates


Fishery Habitat Enhancement

No. of times illegal fishers operate within municipal/city waters

- - -

No. of times illegal fishers operate outside municipal/city waters

-


- - -

Ave. volume of fish catch - No. of times Illegal fishers apprehended

- -

No. of times Illegal fishers prosecuted

- - -

No. of times Illegal fishers fined

- - -

Financial support extended - - Summary 6 5 4 3

Legend: + strong positive correlation, -- strong negative correlation



SUMMARY

The oldest and youngest municipal/city fishing operators were age 65 and 8. The

average age of fishing operators was between 30 and 55. Some municipal fishing operators

reached college but some reached elementary level. Majority of municipal fishing operators

reached high school. The highest average number of household members by the municipal

fishing operators was 15, and the lowest was 4. The highest average number of family

dependents, on the other hand, was 6 and the lowest, 3. Fishing was the primary occupation of

the municipal illegal fishing operators with highest average monthly income of P7,492.50 and

lowest average of P3,000. Laborer, farming and carpentry were the secondary source of income

for municipal/city illegal fishing operators. The area of operation in terms of number within the

municipal and city waters was 220 and the lowest, 2. Dynamite or blast fishing was the most

common municipal illegal fishing practice. Use of triple and fine mesh nets, and use of

compressor were common and the least common illegal practice was the use of poison aside of

cyanide. Most of the species caught by the municipal/city illegal fishing operators were pelagic

and demersal ones. Reef fishes were caught at coastal areas of Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte.

The highest frequency of illegal fishing operations was fifteen times and the lowest, five times.

Poverty was the most common reason followed by easy to catch reason in undertaking illegal

fishing operation. The least reason was peer influence. The highest number of times illegal

municipal/city fishing operators apprehended was 100 with 4 the lowest. The number of times

illegal municipal fishing operators prosecuted was 96 and 99 times fined. Most of the LGUs

provided alternative livelihood projects for the municipal/city fishing operators. These alternative

livelihood projects were fishery based, i.e fishery post harvest, processing and value added,

culture of fish and high value invertebrates, fishery related MSM Enterprises, fishing structures,

gears and devices, fishery habitat enhancement, gardening and vegetable vending, and,



consumer store. Other government offices provided financial support in the form of loan or grant

another livelihood source.

The area of operation by commercial illegal fishing operators in terms of number within the

municipal/city waters, the highest was 20 and lowest, 2. As for the number outside the

municipal and city waters, the highest was 10 and lowest, 2. Pelagic and demersal species were

the most common species caught by the illegal commercial fishing operators. These operators

encroached the municipal waters as evident by reef fish species caught. The average volume of

fish caught was 5 tons and the least 0.35 ton. In terms of frequency of fishing per month, the

highest was 12 times. Poverty, peer influence and fishing gear not suitable were the reasons by

the said fishing operators. Commercial fishing operators highest number of times apprehended

was 14, the lowest, 10. Out of 14 apprehended commercial fishing operators, none was

prosecuted but 2 were fined. Regular patrolling and surveillance were the extended support of

LGU Pangasinan to halt illegal commercial fishing practices.

The following alternative livelihood projects showed a strong negative correlation to

municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ profile:

a. fishery post harvest, processing and value added, and fishing structures, gears and

devices projects to middle aged municipal/city illegal fishing operators;

b. fishery post harvest, processing and value added projects revealed a negative but strong

correlation to young aged municipal/city fishing operators;

c. fishing structures, gears and devices, and availability of fishery habitat enhancement

projects to municipal/city fishing operator’s highest educational attainment;

d. fishery post harvest, processing and value added livelihood project to illegal municipal

fishing operators’ most common education;

e. fishing structures, gears and devices to Illegal municipal/city fishing operators’ average

household members and average number of dependents;



f. fishery post harvest, processing and value added, and fishery habitat enhancement

projects to illegal municipal/city fishing operators with fishing as their primary income;

g. fishery post harvest, processing and value added to illegal municipal/city fishing operators

with secondary income;

h. fishing structures, gears and devices to the municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ number

within and outside the municipal waters area of operation;

i. all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat

enhancement projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ most commonly used

illegal practice;

j. fishing structures, gears and devices projects to municipal/city illegal fishing

operators’ commonly used illegal practice;

k. fishery post harvest, processing and value added, and fishery habitat enhancement

projects to municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ least commonly used illegal practice;

l. all alternative livelihood, and culture of fish and high value invertebrates projects to

municipal/city illegal fishing operators’ frequency of operations;

m. fishery habitat enhancement project to the municipal/city illegal fishing operator’s number

of times apprehended, prosecuted, and fined; and

n. all alternative livelihood, and culture of fish and high value invertebrates projects to

municipal/city fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs and OGAs.

Summing up the correlation between alternative livelihood projects and illegal

municipal/city fishing operators’ profile, fishery habitat enhancement disclosed a strong negative

correlation followed by fishing structures, gears and devices; and post harvest, processing and

value added alternative projects.



The commercial illegal fishing operators’ profile correlation to alternative livelihood

projects are listed below:

a. all alternative livelihood projects, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery

habitat enhancement projects to commercial illegal fishing operators’ number of operation

within the municipal waters;

b. fishing structures, gears and devices project to commercial illegal fishing operators’

number of operation outside the municipal waters;

c. all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat

enhancement projects to commercial illegal fishing operators’ most commonly used illegal

practices;

d. fishing structures, gears and devices project to commercial fishing operators with average

volume of fish catch;

e. all alternative livelihoods, and fishing structures, gears and devices projects to commercial

illegal fishing operators’ number of times apprehended;

f. all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat

enhancement projects to commercial illegal fishing operators’ number of times

prosecuted;

g. all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishing

structures, gears and devices projects to commercial illegal fishing operators’ number of

times fined; and

h. all alternative livelihoods, and culture of fish and high value invertebrates projects to

commercial illegal fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs and OGAs.

All alternative livelihood projects showed strong negative correlation to municipal/city

fishing operators’ profile followed by fishery habitat enhancement, and fishery post harvest,

processing and value added projects.



CONCLUSIONS

The municipal fishing operators with varying ages engaged in illegal fishing. Those young

aged have the tendency to perpetuate illegal fishing operations. Though schooled, most of them

could not qualify for higher jobs and so resort to fishing. With their large average number of

members and dependents, they were forced to operate illegal fishing within the municipal waters

despite having an additional source of income, and being a member of fisherfolk association. They

used blast or dynamite fishing, the most economical among illegal fishing practices. Usually, the

dominant fish illegally caught per operation were pelagic fish of lesser volume. Poverty caused

these fishing operators particularly Pangasinan engaged in illegal fishing. Law enforcement

seemed less visible in the region and illegal fishing may continue as only a handful of municipal

fishing operators were benefited from the fishery-based alternative livelihood projects granted by

the LGUs and OGAs.

The commercial fishing operators, on the other hand, engage in illegal fishing used two

types, by use of illegal gears and devices, and by encroaching and fishing within the

municipal/city waters. These operators made use of the most easiest but destructive means of

dynamite and trawl fishing. Their usual catch per operation were predominantly pelagic fish in

lesser volume. Law enforcement seemed less visible despite observance of patrolling and

surveillance as means of support by the LGUs and OGAs to slow down if not stop illegal fishing

operations.

The middle aged municipal/city fishing operators lessen their illegal fishing operations

through increased fishery post harvest, processing and value added, and fishing structures, gears

and devices projects. The young aged ones minimized their illegal fishing operations with the

availability of the fishery post harvest, processing and value added projects. The highly educated

municipal/city illegal fishing operators minimized their operation upon provision of fishing



structures, gears and devices, and availability of fishery habitat enhancement projects by the

LGUs concerned. The commonly educated municipal illegal fishing operators, meanwhile, valued

fishery post harvest, processing and value added livelihood projects. The municipal/city fishing

operators with higher average household members lessen their illegal fishing operations with

increased fishing structures, gears and devices projects. Those with average number of

dependents reduced their illegal means of fishing with the availability of fishing structures, gears

and devices projects. The municipal fishing operators with fishing as their primary income reduced

their illegal fishing activities with the existence of fishery post harvest, processing and value

added, and fishery habitat enhancement projects while those with secondary income became

slowly inactive with the introduction of fishery post harvest, processing and value added project.

Further, the increase of fishing structures, gears and devices resulted to a decline in municipal

illegal fishing operations within and outside the municipal/city waters . All alternative livelihoods,

culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery enhancement projects sounded viable in

reducing most commonly used illegal fishing practices. The municipal/city fishing operators with

the least common illegal fishing practice decreased their illegal operations with the implementation

of fishery habitat enhancement project. The provision of all alternative livelihood projects and

culture of fish and high value invertebrates lessen the frequency of municipal/city illegal fishing

operations per month. The average volume of fish catch which depended on the frequency of

fishing operations decreased with the introduction of fishery habitat enhancement livelihood

projects. Moreover, the provision of fishery habitat enhancement project made these municipal/city

fishing operators with number of times apprehended, prosecuted, and fined decreased their

illegal fishing operations prompting them to divert their attention to said project. Municipal/city

fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs and OGAs lessen their illegal fishing

operations upon availability of all alternative livelihoods particularly culture of fish and other

invertebrates. Of all the alternative livelihood projects provided by the LGUs, fishery habitat



enhancement topped the list which lessen the municipal/city illegal fishing operations. This was

followed by fishing structures, gears and devices project and thirdly by the fishery post harvest,

processing and value added alternative project.

The availability of all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates,

and fishery habitat enhancement projects minimized the commercial illegal fishing operators’

operation within the municipal waters. The commercial fishing operators operating outside the

municipal waters lessen their illegal fishing operations with the availability of fishing structures,

gears and devices. Municipal/city fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs and

OGAs lessen their illegal fishing operations upon availability of all alternative livelihoods

particularly culture of fish and other invertebrates. The availability of all alternative livelihoods,

culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat enhancement projects minimized

the commercial illegal fishing operation within the municipal waters. The commercial fishing

operators operating outside the municipal waters lessen their illegal fishing operations with the

availability of fishing structures, gears and devices. The availability or increase of the fishing

structures, gears and devices projects lessen their illegal fishing activity with average volume of

fish catch. The commercial fishing operators with number of times apprehended lessen their

illegal fishing operations with the presence of all alternative livelihoods, and availability of fishing

structures, gears and devices projects. The commercial fishing operators with number of times

prosecuted reduced their illegal fishing operations with the availability or increase of all alternative

livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishery habitat enhancement projects.

Presence of all alternative livelihoods, culture of fish and high value invertebrates, and fishing

structures, gears and devices projects lessen the illegal operations of commercial fishing operators

with number of times fined.

All alternative livelihoods, and culture of fish and high value invertebrates projects lessen

the illegal operations of the commercial fishing operators with financial support extended by LGUs



and OGAs. They also lessen their illegal fishing operations with the provision of culture of fish and

high value invertebrates and fishing structures, gears and devices projects.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the correlation findings, the following are recommended:

1. The awarding of alternative livelihood projects to the municipal/city illegal fishing operators by

the LGUs should be grouped according to their educational attainment. The highly educated

municipal/city illegal fishing operators shall be awarded more with fishing structures, gears

and devices, and fishery habitat enhancement projects while more fishery post harvest,

processing and value added livelihood projects to the commonly educated municipal illegal

fishing operators. Beside, grouping according to their educational attainment will ease the

implementation of said projects because of common level of understanding.

2. All alternative livelihood projects shall be awarded to the commercial illegal fishing operators

to minimize if not deter operation within the municipal waters.

3. All municipal and commercial fishing operators shall be benefited with the suggested

alternative livelihood projects. To ensure benefits, a monitoring and evaluation scheme shall

be designed by LGUs and OGAs concerned i.e. DA-BFAR.

4. Introduction of non-fishery based alternative livelihood projects shall be extensively

done and implemented in the region particularly by the commercial fishing operators.

5. Law enforcement should be strengthened by collaborating agencies.

6. A study on the participation of women in the implementation of alternative livelihood projects

should be carried out, and validation of this study must be made.



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This material/paper was commissioned to the author(s) by the Regional

Development Council Region 1(RDC-1). Opinions or points of view,

conclusions or recommendations expressed on this paper are those of the

author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the officials or policies

of the RDC-1. The recommendations in this document are presented for

consideration by the RDC-1 or its sectoral/support committees for policy

recommendations or decisions.

Documents

Correlation Analysis Between Alternative Livelihood Projects and Illegal Fishing Operations in Region 1, Northwestern Philippines