Small-scale fisheries of San Miguel Bay, Philippines: options for management and research

Abstract

This report synthesizes the respective research findings of the biology, economics and sociology modules of a multidisciplinary study of the small-scale fisheries of San Miguel Bay, Philippines and examines various options for management of this very productive multispecies multigear fishery. The report highlights (1) the lack of potentialfor further expansion of the fishery; (2) the competition in resource use that prevails between 2,300 small-scalegears on the one hand, and 95 trawlers on the other hand; (3) the highly skewed distribution of benefits from thefishery between these two groups; and (4) the limited alternative employment opportunities available locally to the majority of the Bay's small-scale fishermen.