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Dialogue Filled the Gaps
On August 22, 200, the mayors of the neighboring municipalities,
commercial and marginal fisherfolk, and other stakeholders signed a
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which established a fishing highway
that is 8 kilometers wide along the coastal boundaries of the city and
the concerned municipalities (Sta. Margarita, Sto. Nino, Tagapul-an and
San Isidro). The MOA also called for deputization of fish wardens,
strengthening of communication networks and provision of necessary
facilities, as well as a Coastal Law Enforcement Code.
Coastal zoning eliminated destructive fishing methods. Moreover,
the number of commercial fishers in the area also decreased from 64 to
25. And the fishers who used to work on commercial fishing boats
acquired their own small fishing boats and returned to municipal fishing.
Coastal zoning also ensured the protection of fish sanctuaries
because the spawning grounds were within the 8-kilometer radius. Fish
stock increased, so much so that fishery effort (catch per unit effort)
improved from two kilos of fish catch in five hours to two kilos in one
hour. This, in turn, meant that the small fishers need not fish twice a day
to feed their families. It also translated into reduced risks for them. As a
result, they now also have more time left to participate in community
activities and assist their wives in household chores.
More Time for Other Concerns
Decreased fishing time also meant that the women found more time to
participate in consultative dialogues and training as well as play a role
in the enforcement of laws. As members of the community watch groups,
the women also got involved in advocacy and reporting of violence against
women and children in their respective barangays. The women
coordinate with the Bantay Abuso Network, a gender responsive group
that campaigns for the protection and promotion of women and children’s
rights.
With the consultations, the city government became more aware of
the fishery sector’s concerns and potentials. More importantly, it ensured
the participation of fisherfolk in policymaking and enforcement of fishing
laws. The fisherfolk’s agenda crafted by the Tinambacan Fisherfolk
Federation became the basis of the coastal zoning project.
The fisherfolk contributed time, effort and resources. They helped
install artificial reefs and improvised floaters to ensure that there was no
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