Small-scale fisheries of San Miguel Bay, Philippines: occupational and geographic mobility

Abstract

The possibility of raising incomes and standards of living among small-scale fishermen in much of the developing world is constrained by the limited nature of their fishery resources. In this report existing patterns and future potentials for occupational and geographic mobility among small-scale fisherman of San Miquel Bay, Philippines were examined to determine whether such mobility has led or is likely to lead to a reduction of surplus fishing labor or improvements in the productivity and incomes of those fishermen who remain. Existing alternatives to fishing within the local economy were examined and found to offer only limited potential for absorbing labor from the fisheries sector. A high degree of stated willingness to change both occupation and residence was found to exist among fishermen regardless of age, educational attainment, ownership of house or land, and type of fisherman. The issue of competition between small-scale fishermen and trawler operators in San Miguel Bay was discussed.