Fishermen earn less as catch dwindles

MANILA, Philippines – Municipal fishermen in Tañon Strait are catching lesser and smaller fish as the number of people dependent on fishing as a major source of livelihood has increased significantly.

A team from Oceana Philippines conducted a month-long socio-economic and fishery baseline survey in Tañon Strait from May 9 to 30, covering 96 families in five towns of San Jose, Guihulngan and Calatrava, all in Negros Oriental; and Moalboal and Samboan, in Cebu. 

The survey team led by Oceana marine economist Charlotte Grubb and marine scientists Dr. Christopher Krenz and Marianne Saniano, said 68 percent of the 96 respondents engage in fishing, with nearly half relying on fishing as a primary source of income, and another 14 percent as their secondary source of profit.

The fishers surveyed said they were not only catching less per trip, ranging from two to 13 hours, but were also getting smaller fish, including juveniles. Worst, some went back home without any catch at all for their families.

They used hook and line, surface longline, and squid jig.

Majority of them who used other fishing gears and practices could only catch less than 1 kg/hr, ranging from 800 grams to a measly 100 grams/hr, as measured by catch per unit effort (CPUE).

Those who are considered “better off, who used bagnet or basnig were able to catch an average of 5.3 kg/hr, followed by patulay (a type of gillnet), at 3 kg/hr, and pokot (another type of gillnet), at 2.4 kg/hr.

Jimely Flores, senior marine scientist at Oceana Philippines, said 67 percent of the interviewed fishers perceive that the number of municipal fishers has been increasing in the last five years (2010-2015). “This perceived increase could indicate that Tanon Strait is under very heavy exploitation,” Flores said.

Compared to previous years, particularly in 2004, municipal fish catch then was better, although it was measured on a CPUE per day.

As for the respondents’ wealth or economic standing – measured in terms of housing, food security, source of income, health services, and physical assets and amenities – over one-half  fall into the “middle” category, 19 percent are “better off,” 17 percent are considered “poor,” and eight percent are considered “rich.”

The ‘poor’ fishers live in one-room nipa and bamboo houses, with no electricity, and use communal water. They own non-motorized ‘banca’ or small boat, and enjoy a few amenities.

With decreasing fish catch and lesser income, some of the poor fishers are considering moving on to ‘greener pastures.’

One respondent in Samboan, Cebu said “many people are leaving the community to work in Cebu City.”

Some aspire to improve their economic condition, but they do not have the means.

When asked about what has been the most significant change in the last five years, most of the respondents said aside from decreasing fish catch, the weather has become more unpredictable.