Fisherfolks participation in the formulation of and compliance with fishery policies in Puerto Princesa and Ulugan Bays, Palawan, Philippines

This study analyzed the perceived condition of and actual changes in the coastal and marine resources in the bays of Puerto Princesa and Ulugan from time of fisher settlement in a rural and an urban barangay [village]. In relation to these charges, the development of coastal and marine resource-related ordinances in Puerto Princesa City since devolution of national government authority to local governments in 1992 was discussed. Fisherfolk's participation in the formulation of and compliance with these ordinances were evaluated and its implications to the condition of coastal and marine states were examined. The study utilized findings of recent studies and in-sites coral reef and fish visual assessment to analyze the actual resource status. Analysis of policy development focused on policy context, process, and implementation. Fisherfolk's perception and the dynamics of participation and compliance were determined by interviewing 156 fisherfolk s and 20 key informants. The health of coastal and marine resources in the two bays started to decline significantly, more so in Puerto Princesa bay, during the last ten years. This decline was apparently held in check by coastal and marine-related ordinances formulated by the city government despite of scarce resources, weak enforcement capabilities, and clamor from affected parties. The fisherfolk's participation in policy development was mainly information-giving and consultation because of the local government's interpretation of participation favor these modes. General fisherfolk compliance was high in both study areas, but was more variable in the urban barangay. There is a significant positive relationship between participation in terms of information-giving and compliance and significant negative relationship between participation in terms of consultation and compliance. The fisherfolk's educational attainment, income, length of residence, year of arrival, perceived mode of enforcement, tolerance in enforcement, attitude towards fishing and resource dependence relate significantly to perceived changes in the coastal and marine resources in the bays of Puerto Princesa and Ulugan. The study concluded that there is a significant negative relationships between income and compliance and significant positive relationships between year of arrival, mode of enforcement and tolerance in enforcement and compliance. There are significant negative relationships between educational attainment and length of residence and compliance and significant positive relationships between year of arrival, attitude towards fishing and resource dependence and compliance. There is a significant positive relationship between compliance with fishing permit and status of fish and significant negative correlations between compliance and status of corals.