Socio-economics of Bacon district coastal communities, Bacon district, Sorsogon City, Philippines

An assessment of the socio-economics of the coastal communities was undertaken as component of the Rapid Resource and Social Assessment of Bacon District. It intended to provide detailed update of the status of the social and economic well-being of the district coastal dwellers for CRM [Coastal Resources Management] and other interventions for the district's fisheries development and management. The fisherfolks of Bacon District are original Bacongnons, mostly catholics, have an average residency of 23 years and majority are elementary and high school graduates. The mean household size is 6.45 members. They have been fishing on an average of 24.17 years, and presently exert fishing intensities of 10.15 months per year, 3.19 weeks/month, 4.93 days/week and 1.43 times/day. Many households commonly owned manual or motorized banca. Mesh sizes of nets are suited for the target species. Hooks used by fishers are homemade. Most of these municipal fishing gears are assembled locally using locally-available materials. Most of smaller fishes were caught by fish nets and the fish corral. Per catch, the volume ranged from 3-5 kilograms per fishing trip (one trip per day). Marketable sizes costs PhP70.00 per kilogram, however, 80% of the catch is alloted for domestic consumption, 10% is shared with companions and/or relatives and the remaining quantity is sold. Fisher folks are aware of the existence of illegal fishing practices in the coastal waters of Bacon District with illegal fishing perpetrators who are the people from outside of their barangay [village] and rely on the Local Government Unit(LGU) as the one responsible in stopping illegal fishing. Women play crucial role in both community development at Bacon District or in the fishing activities. Women's activities in the barangay are focused much on socio-civic and livelihood activities and involvements include marketing of fish catch and fish processing. The coastline along the Bacon District has been naturally and ecologically contoured and is considered a recreational and ecotourism area due to the quality beaches. Bacon District fisher folks have positive perceptions of conservation of coastal resources. They are open to the realities for a need towards better future direction of conservation and management of coastal resources. Fishing is their way of life and the same needs to be nurtured.