[ In the distant Past] “Teach a man to fish and hewill have food for the rest of his life”[ Now] “Teach a man to fish and he will resort tounsustainable methods to remain competitive withthe overabundance of fisherman”Anonymous (White and Trinidad-Cruz 1998)

The Philippines is blessed with having one of themost extensive coral reefs (2nd to Indonesia in theASEAN) found in the heart of the highest diversityregion in the marine world (Burke et al. 2001). Reef

fisheries has been estimated to directly contribute toaround 15 – 30% of the total national municipalfisheries (Murdy and Ferraris 1980, Carpenter andAlcala 1977). Its total reef area covers around 27,000– 44,000 km2 (Table 1) (Burke et al. 2001, Carpenterand Alcala 1977, Gomez 1980 and White and Cruz-Trinidad 1998). One of the hypothesis for thesignificance of the high biodiversity in coral reefsconcerns the resilience of this ecosystem to variousnatural stresses, perhaps not including the stresses inrelation to fisheries overexploitation (Fig. 1). In this

Philippine Coral ReefFisheries - Challenges

and FrustrationsPORFIRIO M. ALIÑO, PhDThe Marine Science InstituteUniversity of the PhilippinesDiliman 1101 Quezon City

PHILIPPINES

Table 1. Basic geographic and economic indicators (Source: Burke et al. 2001)

Philippine Coral Reef FisheriesPhilippine Coral Reef FisheriesPhilippine Coral Reef Fisheries

region of high diversity, the Filipinos’ highdependence on this important life support system isput to a test (Table 2). In the Philippines nearly 70%of the protein food intake is from fish. The starkcontrast between poverty, hunger and deprivationamidst this increasing want is the rapidly decliningreef resources (Fig. 2) (White and Cruz-Trinidad1998). It is no surprise that it is in the Philippines

that reefs are in the highest risk from overexploitation,destructive fishing and other human related impactssuch as coastal development and sedimentation(Burke et al. 2001). To date, over 70% are in a poorstate and less than 5% are in excellent condition(Licuanan and Gomez 2000).

In addition, there is increasing evidence that the

Figure 1. Major observed threats to coral reefs (Source: Burke et al. 2001)

Table 2. Total annual economic benefits derived from coral reefs, fisheries and mangroves in the Philippines, 1996.(Source: White and Cruz-Trnidad 1998)

susceptibility of reefs to El Niño related bleachingevents and their recovery rates is related to the well-being of the diverse assemblage of species andfunctional integrity (e.g. trophic diversity) (Nañolaet al. 2000, Arceo et al. 2000). These studies suggestthat it is difficult to tease out the interaction of

naturally induced stresses vis-à-vis human inducedpressures. Jackson et al. (2001) have shown thatvarious fisheries in the world have undergone variousphases of decline due to fisheries overexploitationand that reefs are stark examples of phase shifts (i.e.,coral dominated to algal domination) in the habitat’s

Figure 2. Trend of catch per unit of effort in Olango Island Cebu, Philippines. (Source: White and Cruz-Trinidad1998)

Table 3. Summary of mean catch rate (catch per trap) and catch composition data for trap fishing on reef andassociated stocks in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and South Pacific regions (Source: Dalzell 1996)

benthic community structure (McClanahan, 1990 inJennings and Lock, 1996).

Nowhere is the understanding of reefs and itsmanagement, as challenging and frustrating as in thearea of highest diversity and of complex societaldevelopment demands (Roberts et al. 2002). Considerthe Philippines’ experience and learn how from its

successes and failures so we may use this to improveour understanding and effectiveness in managingcomplex ecosystems. This complexity of the coralreef ecosystem is manifested in the varied fishingsystems, and fishing gear interactions in the highlydiverse multi-species reef fishery.

Christensen (1995) has utilized the coral reef as one

Table 3. (continuation)

Table 4. Summary of catch rates (CPUE, catch-per-unit effort) and catch composition from spear fishing on SouthPacific reefs. (Source: Dalzell 1996)

of the examples in his ecopath models of a matureecosystem in his proposition of the linkage of carryingcapacity and the ecosystem “maturity” in thedevelopment of management approaches to complexmarine ecosystems. Polunin et al (1996) cites Aliñoet al (1993) that the development of more computer

friendly multispecies models may help facilitateinvestigations and hypotheses generations (Fig. 5).

Philippine reef fisheries exemplify not only thevarious types of overfishing but also the widespreadprevalence in the Philippines. From the oceanic reefs

Table 5. Estimated yields from reef fisheries in the Indian Ocean, Caribbean and South Pacific (Source: Dalzell1996)

Figure 5. Ecopath model of Bolinao reef ecosystem. (Source: Aliño et al 1993)

of the Kalayaan Islands in the west of the Philippines,the Tubataha reefs in the Sulu Sea, and the fringingreefs around the archipelago we see varying degreesof exploitation. Hilomen et al. 2000, and Aliño et al.1996 show how understanding the dynamics of reeffish assemblages give an idea of the state andpressures of overexploitation.

REVISITING THE CONCEPT OF FISHINGDOWN THE FOOD CHAIN STORY

It would seem that the initial reports of Hughes (1994)on how fisheries affect the coral reef‘s benthiccommunity structure complements well with Paulyet al’s fishing down the food chain story. McManus(1997) presentation about the Bolinao reef fisheries(McManus et al 1992, Figs. 6-8) also suggests thatindeed there might be this cascading effect in thechange in the species composition of its fishassemblages (Fig. 9). Recently, we have suggestedthat in just less than a decade reef fish standing stocksare half than what has been recorded two decadesago (Deocadez et al. 2001) (Table 6).

The case of Bolinao and Lingayen Gulf is a familiarcase in many developing countries where much ofthe fisheries management approaches have beenbased on “demand” side concerns (e.g. how muchallowable catch of single species stocks). In additionthe development concerns of the stakeholders havenot been appropriately considered (e.g. the scale ofthe stock boundaries [e.g. area of management vis-à-vis stakeholder and user domains and fisheriesresources interaction] and the effective tools tomanage the resources).

COMPLEMENTATION OF SINGLE SPECIESVIS-A-VIS MULTI-SPECIES APPROACH:

CONSIDER THE SMALL VERSUS THELARGE MARINE PROTECTED AREA

Earlier (in the South China Sea lecture) we havelearned that with the multispecies approach, one hasto take into consideration the species interactions (e.g.predatory losses versus fishing mortality). Itsimplication to management is that despite the highspecies diversity of the reef fisheries, its resilience(upper carnivores like sharks have been disseminatedand also the sea urchin herbivores) is not as robust asexpected and well understood in terms of how fishstocks can withstand increased fishing pressure. Inaddition, the trajectory of development of the fisheriesassemblage is not as easily prescribed (e.g. linear

(5) Fish trap camouflaged withcorals.

(6) Creel opened to reveal severalcaptured species.

(7) Anchor designed to catch oncorals.

(10) Spear guns are carved fromwood, and are powered by rubberstrips.

(11) Gillnetter slaps the water tofrighten fish into the net.

(12) Close-up of a fish corral.

(1) Rake net used tocollect shells and smallfish from seagrass beds

(2) Seagrass andbranching coral(Acropora) on the reef flat

(3) Sea urchins(Tripneustes gratilla) fromthe reef flat.

(4) Small fish captured bygillnet on the reef flat.

Figure 6. Scenes from Bolinao reef flat fisheries (part1). (Source: McManus et al. 1992)

Figure 7. Scenes from the Bolinao reef fisheries (part2). (Source: McManus et al. 1992)

Figure 8. Scenes from Bolinao reef fisheries (part 3).(Source McManus et al. 1992)

directionality or unidirectionally or themultidimensional aspects are not well determined)both in the social development perspective and inthe biophysical context.

In Bolinao, ever since the late 1980’s fisheriesresources decline have been perceived but thesolutions to this situation have not been well agreedupon by the stakeholders in the area. Most fisherscontend that there was not really a considerable

decline of the stocks but rather just an increase in thenumber of fishers. Initial interventions in regulatingthe major harvested stocks by banning the commercialharvest of the sea urchin Tripnuestes gratilla andclose season regulations for the rabbitfish Siganusfuscescens have been too late and inadequate (Junio-Menez et al. 1998) (Fig. 10). Perhaps theobservation’s in Deocadez’s et al. (2001) are alreadythe indication of a phase shift as described byMcClanahan (1990) as cited by Jennings and Lock

Site CRMPA

1988CRSPA

1992UNDPB

1997UNPDB

1998UNDPB

1999SEP.A1999

SEP.A2000

This study

PANGASINANBolinao 764 + 88 800 +164 714 +202 610 +195 831 + 106 315 +121

Anda 588 + 120 240 +78

Alaminos 347 + 179

Sual 216+ 52 319 +83

LA UNIONBauang 200 +74

San Fernando 197 +54

AValues are lumped over a multiple-year monitoring periodBcensuses were conducted within Malilnep Marine Protected area

Table 6. Fish abundance in counts per 1000 m-2 in six municipalities in Lingayen Gulf from 1988-2000. (Source:Deocadiz et al. 2001)

Figure 9. Species abundance profiles ofadult reef slope fish from year-endmonths. (Source: McManus et al 1992)

(1996) (Fig.11). Thus after 1995, the sea urchin stockcollapsed and smaller rabbitfish are now beingharvested. A 150 hectare area was initially proposedbased on the spawning migratory route of therabbitfish (Pastor et al. 2000). After negotiating forover six years for the establishment of a fish sanctuaryin the area, the consensually agreed size has beenconsiderably reduced to around 20 hectares without

any effective implementation of management. Theprimary resistance to the establishment of a no-takefish sanctuary is that, it would threaten the livelihoodof over a thousand subsistence fishers in the area.Some innovative ways had to be pursued such thatthe facilitation of setting up of de-facto reproductivereserves was pursued (Arceo et al. 2000 and Pastoret al. 2000). Eventually other village fisher

Figure 10. Sea urchin harvest profile in Bolinao, Pangasinan. (Source: Junio-Meñez et al. 1998)

Figure 11. Relationship between the abundance of coral (c), algae (a) and sea urchin (u) after reefs have beensubjected to different fishing regimes for a period of 30 years. Adapted from the results of a model developed byMcClanahan (1990) as cited by Jennings and Lock (1996)

cooperators have been motivated to establish grow-out areas for sea – urchins and rabbitfish (Juinio-Menez et al. 1998 and Pastor et al. 2000).

The Bolinao experience shows that establishing no-take areas are important but with the complexmultispecies fishery and diverse user groupsmultipronged approaches are necessary to make some

headway. In the example of Palawan (Fig. 12)(Hodgson and Dixon 1988), as in the Bolinaofisheries, management measures have to be pursuedin the context of integrated coastal management(Arceo et al. 2000), vis-a-vis stopping logging andbenefit from ecotourism and sustainable municipalfisheries.

Figure 12. Projected changes in the number of coral species (filled circles), the abundance of corals (open circles)and fish catch (triangles) if sedimentation from logging operations (filled squares) were to continue for a 10 yearperiod at El Nido, Palawan. (Source: Hodgson and Dixon (1988) adapted by McManus 1996)

Adapted from Adapted from Miclat Miclat et al. 1991et al. 1991

Scenes from the Pa-aling Reef Fisheries

Figure 13. Schematic diagram of the Pa-aling drive-inreef fisheries adapted from Miclat et al. 1991.

Figure 14. Fishermen with scareline hoses disembarkingfrom mothership. (Source: Miclat et al. 1991)

The importance of a bigger picture outlook is seen inthe evolution of the commercial reef fishery called“muro-ami”. Banned in 1986, the clamor to lift theban on muro-ami was seen more to modify a fishinggear to be less destructive, rather than in regulating avery effective gear (Miclat et al. 1991). Thus, thebubble fishing scareline technique called “pa-aling”was developed (Figs. 13 to 19). The development andeventual permission of this fishing gear required thata mechanism for the monitoring and evaluation ofthis fishery is put in place. Aside from the child laborconcerns associated with the gear, the area ofoperation for this gear was also restricted in the SuluSea and South China Sea. Abesamis et al. 2000 hasshown that aside from the difficulties in implementingcompliance in the areas of operations for the gear,the high efficiency of the gear has already shown a

decline in the catch rates of the reef assemblages (Fig.19). Indeed, this exacerbates the already fullyexploited fisheries in the area and reefs susceptibilityto coral bleaching (Alino et al. 1998 and Arceo et al.2000 in press).

The reef fisheries in the Philippines have become veryhighly evolved and show the great continuingchallenges to the science and management of itsmultispecies fisheries. McManus et al. (1992) andPastor et al (2000) has shown that reef fisheriesmanagement in Bolinao needs to be viewed in a moreholistic context of integrated coastal management anda macro-level outlook of societal development (Figs20 and 21). In addition, marine reproductive reservesin tandem with other enhancement mechanisms areurgently needed.

Photo courtesy of BFAR Interagency Task ForcePhoto courtesy of BFAR Interagency Task Force Photo courtesy of BFAR Interagency Task ForcePhoto courtesy of BFAR Interagency Task Force

Photo courtesy of BFAR Interagency Task ForcePhoto courtesy of BFAR Interagency Task Force

Figure 15. Fishermen prepare arrangement of scarelinehoses with their support compressor boats. (Source:BFAR 1992)

Figure 16. A closer look of how the scare line hose (withlead weights) and bubbles blow to scare fish towards theset net . (Source: BFAR 1992)

Figure 17. Underwater haul of net fishing on reefs notusing Pa-aling. (Source: BFAR 1992)

Figure 18. An underwater scene of Pa-aling indicatesit’s high efficiency in the South China Sea reefs. (Source:BFAR 1992)

Aquaculture has been considered as one ofthe solutions to the declining fish yields incoastal zone. Unfortunately, with the rapidgrowth of the industry it has broughtconsiderable environmental and economicconcerns.

Figure 20. Photos ofproliferation of fishepen inLingayen Gulf by Dr. GilS. Jacinto of The MarineScience Institute.

1. Enhance capabilities of Fisheries and Aquatic ResourceManagement Councils (FARMC) and foster participation bystakeholders.

2. Clarify development and management goals, and facilitatetransparency and accountability in fisheries resource managementand governance mechanisms.

3. Explore innovative ways of regulating fishing effort and moreeffective ways of enforcement and compliance.

4. Explore incentives for livelihood linked to sustainable resourcemanagement and disincentives for unsustainable practices.

5. Improve effectiveness of enhancement and rehabilitationmeasures through an ecosystem and integrated managementapproach.

Some recommendations for future actions

1996

1.90 to 1.30 mtons/yr

1.30 to 0.70

0.70 to 0.10

1997 1998

Source: UPMSI - DA/BFAR collaboration,Source: UPMSI - DA/BFAR collaboration, Abesamis Abesamis et al. (in press) et al. (in press)

Figure 19. Catch-per-unit of effort (CPUE) from monitoring of pa-aling (1996-1998). (Source: UPMSI-DA/BFARcollaboration, Abesamis et al. 2000)

Learning from the “pa-aling” reef fisheries not onlyhighlights the concerns and susceptibility of reeffisheries to fishing, but that no-take areas go beyondlocal boundary concerns. Much as there issusceptibility in some areas, it is important that thereare also areas for source of larvae to replenish theareas of death. Indeed, we should turn our frustrationsinto reefs of hope for the survival of the futuregeneration’s heritage and our life support system.

Figure 21. The participatory municipal coastal development plan of Bolinao, Pangasinan helps to provide anintegrated framework through zoning and community stewardship. (Source: Junio-Menez et al. 2000)

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