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
educational attainment
22
Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to municipal/city illegal fishing
operators average household members and number of dependents
23
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
commonly used illegal practices
26
operators frequency of operations per month
28
operators number of times apprehended, prosecuted and fined
29


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
frequency of operations per month
36
Correlation of alternative livelihood projects to number of times commercial fishing
operators apprehended, prosecuted and fined
37
with financial support extended by the LGUs and OGAs
39
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 countrys 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


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 regions 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, peers
influence
Ilocos Sur 10 Pelagic and
demersal
species
5 Easy to catch
La Union Pelagic
species
Poverty, illiteracy,
peers 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 citys 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
Provision of
alternative
livelihood
projects
Financial
assistance
212,300
La Union Provision of
alternative
livelihood
projects
Provision of
alternative
livelihood
projects
Fish
aggregating
device
(Payao )

Pangasinan Provision of
alternative
livelihood
projects
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,
peers 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

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
.874 Strong
correlation
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


invertebrates
.367 Moderate
correlation
devices
-.229 Weak
correlation
Young age All alternative livelihood
projects
.479 Moderate
correlation
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
.496 Medium
correlation
devices
-.312 Medium
correlation
correlation

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 operators 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
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-.316 Moderate
correlation
devices
-.738 Strong
correlation
Fishery habitat enhancement -1.000 Strong
correlation
Most Common Education All alternative livelihood
projects
.949 Strong
correlation
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
.949 Strong
correlation
devices
.105 Weak
correlation
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

Product
Moment
Interpretation
Average household
members
projects
.918 Strong
correlation
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
.910 Strong
correlation
devices
-.889 Strong
correlation
correlation
Average number of
dependents
All alternative livelihood project .470 Moderate
correlation
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
.454 Moderate
correlation
devices
-.929 Strong
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

Product
Moment
Interpretation
Primary Income All alternative livelihood projects -.441 Moderate
correlation
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-.427 Moderate
correlation
devices
.213 Weak
correlation
correlation
Secondary Income All alternative livelihood project .007 No
correlation
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
.030 No
correlation
devices
.424 Moderate
correlation
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

Product
Moment
Interpretation
No. within the municipal
waters
projects
.991 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
.988 Strong
correlation
devices
-.796 Strong
correlation
correlation
No. outside the municipal
waters
projects
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
-1.000 Strong
correlation
correlation

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

Rho
Interpretation
Most commonly used illegal
practices
projects
-1.000 Strong
correlation
1.000 Strong
correlation
Culture of fish and high value -1.000 Strong


invertebrates correlation
devices
.200 Weak
correlation
correlation
Commonly used illegal
practices
projects
.500 Moderate
correlation
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
.500 Moderate
correlation
devices
-1.000 Strong
correlation
correlation
Least commonly used illegal
practices
projects
1.000 Strong
correlation
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-.632 Moderate
correlation
Fishery related MSMEnterprise 1.000 Strong
correlation
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

Product
Moment
Interpretation
Frequency of fishing
operations per month
projects
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
1.000 Strong
correlation
Average Volume of fish
catch
All alternative livelihood project
beneficiaries
-.270 Weak
correlation
invertebrates
-.285 Small
correlation
devices
-.491 Moderate
correlation
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.



with number of times apprehended, prosecuted and fined by province, Ilocos Region,
2011.

Product
Moment
Interpretation
Number of times illegal
fishing operators
apprehended
projects
-.224 Weak
correlation
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-.246 Weak
correlation
devices
-.358 Moderate
correlation
correlation
fishing operators prosecuted
projects
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
1.000 Strong
correlation
correlation
fishing operators fined
projects
-.498 Moderate
correlation
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-.518 Strong
correlation
devices
.077 No
correlation
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.
with financial support extended by LGUs, OGAs to the illegal municipal fishing
operators by province, Ilocos Region, 2011.

Product
Moment
Interpretation
Financial Support Extended All alternative livelihood
projects
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
1.000 Strong
correlation

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
Fishing
Structures, Gears
and Devices
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
Most commonly
used illegal
practices
- - -
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

Product
Moment
Interpretation
No. within the municipal
waters
projects
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
1.000 Strong
correlation
correlation
No. outside the municipal
waters
projects
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
-1.000 Strong
correlation
correlation

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

Rho
Interpretation
practices
projects
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
1.000 Strong
correlation
correlation

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 catchs
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

Product
Moment
Interpretation
Average Volume of fish
catch
projects
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
-1.000 Strong
correlation
correlation

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.

Product
Moment
Interpretation
commercial fishing operators
apprehended
projects
-.976 Strong
correlation
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
.971 Strong
correlation
devices
-.975 Strong
correlation
correlation
fishing operators prosecuted
projects
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
1.000 Strong
correlation
correlation
fishing operators fined
projects
-.1.000 Strong
correlation
1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
-1.000 No
correlation



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.

Product
Moment
Interpretation
Financial Support Extended All alternative livelihood
projects
-1.000 Strong
correlation
invertebrates
-1.000 Strong
correlation
devices
1.000 Strong
correlation

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 operators 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
Fishing Structures,
Gears and
Devices
Fishery
Habitat
Enhancement
No. of times illegal fishers
operate within municipal/city
waters
- - -
No. of times illegal fishers
operate outside
municipal/city waters
-
practices
- - -
Ave. volume of fish catch
-
No. of times Illegal fishers
apprehended
- -
prosecuted
- - -
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 operators 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 operators 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.

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

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

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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

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