Notes on Fisheries Management in the Province of Romblon

Prepared by Edmundo Enderez October 2011

I.

Introduction

This article is prepared to initiate discussion and sharing of experiences and insights among fisheries management practitioners for the purpose of making improvement and innovation on the matter. The key variables in fisheries management are as follows: A. Fish carrying capacity (K) - Under pristine condition, the sea and other bodies of water provided habitat to fish up to the maximum volume or standing stock biomass (SSB) equivalent to their fish carrying capacity (K). The K is determined by the quality of the fish habitat: corals, seagrass and mangroves; topography or bathymetry and the presence of upwelling areas, and the body of water as the medium. B. Overfishing - In the advent of fishing, the initial volume of fish caught from the sea resulted to the initial decrease in the SSB which at its reduced biomass or volume continue to reproduce and grow. But continuous fishing pressure to provide fish to the increasing human population resulted to the increase in the annual volume of fish caught but leading to the further decrease in the SSB. Through modernization of fishing gears and increase in the number of fishers, the annual total fish catch volume from the sea or particular fishing ground has reached the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) but whose standing SSB has been further reduced to the level which is equivalent to of K. The MSY is theoretically determined using the formula: of K multiplied by r (instantaneous growth rate), in short MSY = rK/4 (Resource Economics, Jon M. Conrad, 1999 and 2010). In practical way, the status of the fishery whether overfished or not and its MSY can be determined by making a graph of the data on total annual catch of all species and particular specie. The graph which shows a pattern of increasing catch until the peak (or MSY level) is reached and then followed by decreasing catch indicates overfishing of the whole fishery or the particular species of fish, as the case maybe. In the absence of fisheries management, there is really that tendency to increase the annual fish catch to meet the demand of the growing human population, until such time when the increase in the volume of catch more than the MSY level only led to the reduction of the SSB lower than the of K being the optimum level. C. Fish habitat degradation - It must be noted that the decreasing total annual fish catch relative to the MSY level is due not only to overfishing but also to the decrease in the carrying capacity or K of the sea or fishing grounds (municipal water, bay and gulf). Such a decrease is due to destruction and degradation of the fish habitat (mangrove, seagrass, corals and the body of water as the medium) as a result of fishing using dynamite/cyanide, nets dragged at sea bottom and other means as well as pollution and sedimentation due also to man-made activities. The above problems of overfishing and fish habitat degradation have been addressed by undertaking fisheries management through the coastal resource management approach. II. Romblon fisheries

The waters of Romblon composed of Tablas Island, Romblon Island and Sibuyan Island consist of coastal water and oceanic water which is the largest portion which explains for the presence of sharks, dolphins, manta ray, sea turtles, whale shark, tuna and tuna-like species, small pelagic species, and less of coralline and seagrasss associated fish like parrot fish and siganid. A. Marine Fish Catch of Romblon

1. Graph on fish catch below shows a significant increase in the volume of catch from 1998 to 2002, after which it has leveled off from 2002 to 2006, then slightly increased from 2006 to 2010. The growth in marine fish catch in 2009 and 2010 were 5.8% and negative 0.34% in 2009 and 2010, respectively, for municipal fisheries and 6.3% and 0.7 %, respectively, for the combined municipal and commercial fish catch. It must be noted that the total marine fish catch in 2010 is only 6.4% higher than that of the 2002 level or a non-cumulative annual growth of only 0.7% as against population growth rate of almost 2%.

Source of data: BAS

2. Among the tuna and tuna-like fish, it is only the eastern little tuna that shows an increasing trend between 2005 and 2010 as shown in the left Graph below.

Source of data: BAS

3. Right Graph above shows that growth of the 5 major small pelagic is on upward but erratic trend between 2005 and 2010 and it is only the round scad that shows increased catch in said period. For the coral and seagrass associated fish, the parrotfish also shows a general but erratic increase in catch but siganid catch is on the decline, possibly an indication of heavy overfishing. 4. Large species of aquatic animal - Commonly found in Romblon waters are sharks, dolphins, manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles which are considered as endangered species in the country.

5. Food habits of the major species of fish and higher form of aquatic animals - The names and food habits of the major species of fish caught and other higher form of animals are presented below.

Source of data: Fish base and other sources through the internet

B.

Upwelling Areas in the Philippines and Rombon province

1. Map below indicates some of the upwelling areas in the Philippines. Upwelling which is a process in which cold nutrient-rich deep water column moves to the sea surface caused by favorable persistent sea surface winds which induce a movement of water from nearshore to offshore. The flow of water causes deep water column to flow upward to replace the surface water column which is moving offshore. The upwelling provides abundant nutrients needed for the production of plants like algae, seagrass and phytoplankton whose bloom provides abundant food for the zooplankton which is eaten by small fish, and larger fish eat the small fish. Thus the food chain is completed.

Google satellite map

2. The upwelling in Zamboanga del Norte maintains very high productivity of the sardine fishery that caters to the needs of the local fish canning factories and consumers from the different provinces in Mindanao. 3. Upwelling areas in Romblon is between Romblon Island and Sibuyan Island - In an article written by Rodne Galicha titled Why Mining Should be Opposed in the Province of Romblon stated that Sibuyan Island, nicknamed the Galapagos of Asia, features flora & fauna found nowhere else on the planet. It is where the worlds densest forest flourishes in which the National Museum identified, in a single hectare, 1,551 trees comprising 123 species, of which 54 were endemic. Primary forests cover 120 sq km, which is 26% of the land area. Orchids abound as do other vascular plant species; Nepenthes

sibuyanensis, a pitcher plant species, is endemic as its scientific name suggests. There are 131 species of birds that share the skies with ten species of fruit bat; the plethora (nobody knows quite how many) of land-dwelling mammals, reptiles, and rodents include at least five species of mammals that are endemic. Moreover, Sibuyan Island together with the islands of Romblon and Tablas form upwelling zones (1st is the Romblon passage and 2nd the eastern portions of the islands of Romblon and Sibuyan) as shown in the Map below. Both the upwelling areas of Galapagos islands and Romblon province have both in common the presence of sharks, dolphins, tuna, sea turtles, manta rays, and whale sharks, among others.

Google satellite map

III.

Coastal Resource Management in Romblon

In accordance with the Local Government Code of 1991 and RA 8550 of 1998, all CRM programs and projects will have to implemented through the partnership of LGUs/LGAs and NGOs/POs. The 3 major CRM programs that have been implemented in Romblon are the CRM program in 1995 2000, the Integrated Coastal Resource Management (ICRM) in 2005-2007 and at present funded by DENR, and the Romblon Passage Integrated Coastal Resource Management Program funded by SIKAT. The CRM program areas are indicated in the Map below.

A. Coastal Resource Management (CRM) in Looc - The highlights of the project are contained in the Gawad Pook Foundation newsletter (2000) as follows: 1.
The municipality of Looc is located at the southern part of Tablas Island, the biggest island province of Romblon. Looc, which literally means cove, is a fourth class municipality composed of approximately 21,000 residents distributed among 12 barangays. The cove encloses 23 square kilometers of municipal waters, making this the major fishing ground of the municipality, providing livelihood to some 1,000 households out of the towns 3,900 households. Early on, fish catch in Looc Bay was very abundant, boasting of diversified marine species. However, during the early 1990s, rampant illegal and destructive methods of fishing led to the depletion of Loocs Bays productivity at an alarming rate. 2. Consequently, as early as 1995, Coastal Resource Management (CRM) activities in Looc were initiated by the local leaders. Major components of the CRM included community organizing, massive IEC (?), and rehabilitation of the marine resources through mangrove reforestation and creation of a fish sanctuary. A strong partnership among the LGU, local NGOs and peoples organizations were also established. Additionally, volunteers were recruited to join the Bantay Dagat. 3. The program brought remarkable improvements to the municipality of Looc. Because of the commitment of the fifty-two Bantay Dagat volunteers, they have effectively eradicated destructive and illegal methods of fishing in Looc Bay. Fish catch increased, as well as other aquatic resources such a shellfish. The program also helped increase environmental awareness among the people, with the inclusion of environment care and marine resources conservation in the elementary school curriculum. This heightened awareness also allowed the local folks to decide for themselves and oppose projects that would adversely affect their environment in the long-term. 4. Even displaced fisherfolks were given priority by the program through the introduction of alternative livelihood programs. The LGU provided assistance and loans to its constituents for fish processing, poultry raising, purchase of rice thresher and blower, seaweed and vegetable production, and handicraft making. Indeed, the success of the program has been felt by the entire society.

B. Integrated Coastal Resource Management (ICRM) The highlights of the project are contained in the newsletter of Ocean Beacons International (OBI) as follows:
1. A total of 37 Bantay Dagat volunteers in Looc, Romblon successfully completed the Basic Paralegal Training held last November 19-20, 2010 at the KOICA Hall. The training was facilitated by environmental lawyer Jesus Bong A. Villardo, III. The activity is one of the trainings implemented by OBI under the

Fisheries Law Enforcement component of the FARMC Project Philippines Phase 3. The activity complements the FARMCs on-going efforts in strengthening its law enforcement unit or Bantay Dagat as a dynamic and effective force against illegal activities at sea. 2. The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council of Looc in the province of Romblon was awarded the Regional Outstanding Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) in Region IV-B (MIMAROPA). This award was in recognition of the MFARMCs important role in fisheries management and development activities in Looc and its valuable inputs for programs geared towards increased and sustainable fisheries production in Tablas Island 3. A Core Group Building workshop was facilitated by Virgilio S. Cristobal together with OBI Team and Looc CRM Staff in March 14 18, 2011. A total of 31 participants from various fisherfolk organizations, bantay dagat and members of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) of Looc, Romblon attended the event. Hosted by the municipal LGU and held at the KOICA training hall in Looc Poblacion, the 5-day workshop participants included representatives from Ferrol MFARMC and staff from the DENR-ICRMP Project Romblon based in Odiongan. Together with Sta. Fe, the municipality of Ferrol is a target expansion area for FARMC Project Philippines Phase 3

C. Romblon Passage Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project - Highlights of the programs are as follows:
1. The Sentro Para sa Ikauunlad ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya, Inc. (SIKAT) or Center for the Development of Indigenous Science & Technology, Inc. as an NGO is engaged in community-based coastal resource management (CBCRM). In partnership with the LGU/LGA and fisherfolk organizations, SIKAT has engaged in the following CBCRM projects that started in 2004, to wit: a. Romblon Passage Integrated Coastal Resource Management - The Romblon Passage Integrated Coastal Resource Management Program aims to conserve and manage Romblon Passage as a critical marine corridor and ecosystem through an integrated approach by empowering men and women fishers, socially- by organizing and strengthening grassroots organizations and federations and by developing their knowledge, skills and values; politically- by working with government for pro-fisherfolk and pro-environment policies and program; and economically- by creating access to environment-friendly livelihood opportunities b. Community-Based mangrove management project in selected program areas c. Giant clams conservation project in marine protected areas or fish santuaries d. Turtle conservation e. Fisherfolk Settlement Project f. Crown-of-Thorns Outbreak Monitoring and Collection Project 2. Project Details & Results (based on the newsletter of Community Action Global Impact)

PROJECT DETAILS: The coral reefs of Romblon is a critical ecosystem for marine organisms of the passage.
Since 2004, SIKAT was able to document 18 fish families in the nearshore coral reef areas, 9 families of NonAcropora Corals, and 5 families of Acropora Corals. Three species of marine sea turtle and their nestling areas were also documented including green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle (critically endangered) and Olive Ridley (rare). Giant clams are also abundant in the municipal waters commonly found in coral reef areas. In 2007 there were, sightings of whalesharks near MPA bounderies and dugong (seacow) in seagrass protected areas. The destruction of coral reefs are mainly due to natural and anthropogenic causes. Based on SIKAT's assessment, there has been a decline of live coral in areas near the estuaries due to heavy siltation from marble and mountain pebble quarries. Destructive fishing such as muro-ami method also contributed to the mortality of coral reefs. The typhoons that hit the province also caused coral overturn. If the threats will not be addressed, the ecosystem function will be severely altered. Genereal Objective: The project aims to protect the marine biodiversity of Romblon passage by engaging the different stakeholders from three (3) municipalities in the management and conservation of marine coastal resources. Specific Objectives:

1. To rehabilitate the marine habitats in Romblon passage and restore its ecological function 2. To integrate species-specific conservation in the resource management plan and interventions of local resource managers. 3. To mainstream coastal resource management in the local policies, development plan, and resource management plans of People's Organizations and government institutions 4. TO strengthen and sustain law enforcement activities by bantay-dagat, community members, local police and other concerned agencies. Target Outputs/Outcomes: > 16 MPA management plan reviewed and updated > Coral reef and fish status monitored in 8 sites > Conducted 1 inter-municipal MPA forum >4 mangrove nurseries established > 4.5 hectares replanted with 4,500 mangrove seedlings and propagules > 1 coral nursery established and produced 2,000 coral beds > at least 2,000 coral seeds transplanted in 1 site > At least 100 fisher leaders, government representatives, and faculty of fisheries school from the 3 municipalities oriented on the threatened and endangered species >250 posters distributed to at least 22 barangays and 25 billboards posted in strategic sites in 3 municipalities > migratory path of marine mammals and sea-turtles in Romblon passage mapped >At least 100 giant clams restocked inside the 4 MPAs >22 PO, 3 municipal bantay-dagat, 1 municipal federation strengthened > Municipal-wide congress conducted >At least 30 representatives of LGUs, POs and other stakeholder participated in the inter-municipal forum. > At least 3 resolutions or ordinance passed >muncipal advocacy agenda developed and implemented >Established partnership with government agencies and fisheries school >At least 3 species-specific conservation management plan developed by stakeholders >At least 100 men and women involved in sea patrolling and law enforcement activities as fish wardens and WEO.

Project Results: First Progress Report Highlights: (Project Inception - 31 Jul 2010)
> SIKAT conducted underwater coral and fish monitoring in the first two (2) quarters of the year to maximize the favorable weather conditions. The divers covered all marine protected areas in Romblon Passage. This was done before the project started in May 2010. > The local partners were also trained on the processing of data using computer software (Adobe Photoshop) and now preparing for participatory identification of corals with other community members. > Partner communities in Brgy. Agtongo, Brgy. Agnipa and Brgy. Lunas had requested to replace lost marker buoys in their respective fish sanctuaries. The requests were approved by SIKAT and the community members voluntarily assisted SIKAT staff in the placement of marker buoys in three (3) Marine Protected Areas. The marker buoys dissuades fishers from poaching and illegal harvesting of marine products inside the fish sanctuaries. A guardhouse was also constructed in Brgy. Lunas to make sure that their fish sanctuary is well-guarded by the community members. > SIKAT collaborated with DENR-PAWB in the development sea turtle orientation module as part of development of species-specific conservation management plan development of stakeholders. Under the 5-year sea turtle management plan, SIKAT, PAWB, PAWIKAN Inc., and the LGU will work together in upscaling the campaign to protect the sea turtle nestling areas and stop the illegal catching of sea turtles in Romblon. > SIKAT and the partner communities conducted area scanning in the nearshore areas of five (5) barangays (villages) namely Brgy. Agnay, Brgy. Agnipa, Brgy. Lonos, Brgy. Ginablan, and Brgy. Agpanabat. All these areas have available wild stocks of giant clams. > Local fish wardens and members of the Peoples Organizations are regularly conducting sea patrolling activities in the marine protected areas and municipal waters of the three (3) municipalities. In the last 3 months, five (5) illegal fishers were apprehended.

Second Progress Report Highlights: (01 Aug - 31 Dec 2010) > 9 MPA management plans were reviewed and updated > Constructed an MPA guardhouse in Barangay Agpanabat > Maintained marker buoys in 14 MPAs (e.g. provision of nylons, etc.) > Conducted Mangrove Species Inventory & Identification in 5 sites wherein 12 mangrove species were identified > Constructed Multi- species Mangrove Nursery in Barangay Ginablan > Produced 4,393 mangrove seedlings and propagules in Nurseries > 1,713 mangrove species were planted in Barangay Ginablan, Cagboaya & Sugod. > Organized a Study Tour on mangroves participated by 35community members. > Secured municipal clearances for bio-prospecting in 2 MPAs > Conducted Sea Turtle Orientation in seven (7) communities in 3 municipalities > Rescued 4 marine turtles and 100 green sea turtle eggs. > 48 Giant Clams were restocked and tagged inside two (2) MPAs > Conducted Participatory Resource Mapping of Sea Turtle in San Agustin > Assessed 19 critical nesting area for Sea turtle in 2 Municipalities > Conducted orientation on Giant Clams Management in two (2) villages of Romblon Island participated by 37 community members. > Conducted regular sea patrolling in 3 municipalities. A total of 60 community members are involved in regular sea patrolling which apprehended 39 illegal fishers during the reporting period. 3rd Progress Report HIghlights: (01 Jan-30 Jun 2011) >Conducted monitoring of 16 MPAs. Some problems identified by MPA mgt. was the damage to corals by unregulated dropping of anchors (boat hired by snorkelers/divers). Community established a permanent mooring buoy to control the problem >Completed the construction of guardhouse (GEF-SAMMACON, LGU) to be used by fish wardens > Deployed markers in 17 MPA sites >Conducted 2 mangrove assessments in Bgy Li-o and Bgy. Agnay aside from the 5 barangays last 2010. In 7 barangays a total of 14 mangrove species were observed namely. Avecenia Alba, Avecenia Marina, Avecennia Officinalis, Ceriops Tagal, Excoecaeria Agallocha, Lumnitzera Littorea, Lumnitzera Racemosa, Nipa Fruticans, Rhizopora Apiculata, Rhizopora Mucronata, Rhizopora Stylosa, Sonneratia Alba, Sonneratia Caseolaris, Sylocarpus Granatum >Produced 1,920 propagules from Jan-Jun 2011. Since project inception, a total of 4,653 mangrove seedlings were supplied >Collected a total of 1,400 pieces coral fragments from damaged coral reefs. 6 species of Acropora species were gathered >Conducted orientation on coral planting attended by 65 community members >60 artificial substrates were constructed and placed inside the fish sanctuary and transplanted 1000 coral fragments wherein 75% of the planted corals survived. The 25% mortality was attributed to increased algae population in the area. >6 Nestling areas have hatched and produced 387 sea turtle hatchlings and all were released in Romblon passage. >3 sea turtles rescues and released >75 giant were collected tagged and restocked. > Formed SAMMARO, an integrated FARMC composed of partnership from LGUs, PO, MFARMC, and other stakeholders. LGU committed to allot funds to implement activities identified in the strategic plan >Sta. Maria community is focusing advocacy on comprehensive municipal fisheries ordinance; and municipal waters ordinance; San Agustin community on the other hand is seeking LGU recognition for their community management of PA >Apprehended 47 illegal fishers under monitoring and patrolling during the reporting period

IV. 1.

Analysis and Recommendation After almost 2 decades, Integrated coastal resource management projects (ICRM) programs and

projects that have been implemented in the province of Romblon already cover a large portion of the municipal waters. However, it must be noted that the total marine fish catch in 2010 is only 6.4% higher than that of the 2002 level or an annual growth of only 0.7% as against population growth rate of almost 2%. Said minimal growth in fishery production on which majority of the population depend as the main source of livelihood has kept the population poverty incidence increasing from 42.2% in 2003 to 50.3% in 2006 and 54.0% in 2009 based on the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). 2. While there is minimal increase in marine fish catch, this however indicates that ICRM work and activities have resulted to the reversal in the trend of overfishing in several municipal waters where ICRM projects are implemented with relative success. Illegal fishing activities that caused overfishing have been relatively contained through sustained efforts in fishery law enforcement made possible by adequate logistical support from LGUs and NGOs, but not much on illegal activities that caused fish habitat degradation like the use of dynamite and cyanide in catching fish particularly in remote but important coastal waters. In order to facilitate reversal in overfishing, major species of fish like siganid which show sign of overfishing as shown in the above BAS catch data or any major species that have been observed to be decreasing in the average size and volume of annual catch must be studied in terms of length-frequency analysis to determine what specific regulatory measures that must be instituted. 3. But in order to make a significant improvement in the fishery towards making it sustainable, those fisherfolk who mainly depend on the fishery as their main source of livelihood should be provided with adequate assistance to engage in viable livelihood diversification projects related to the fishery like aqua-silviculture and mariculture and non-fishery projects that make use of the available natural renewable resources in the area. 4. In order to sustain the LGUs-POs partnership in the advent of NGOs phase-out, advocacy work should be geared towards institutionalizing and practicing ICRM at the LGUs level and capacity of the partner POs should be improved to be able to do the right activities, make coherent actions and activities following the system-orientation principle, practice autonomy in making decisions, and adapt to the changing condition and environment. Moreover, a pool of good volunteer leaders must be developed in order to ensure sustainability of leaders who will take the lead in ICRM work and assume management role in livelihood diversification projects. These income generating projects must be operated at the level that will provide a) enough income to the family members, particularly those who are directly involved in ICRM work, b) adequate funds to sustain operation of the POs, and c) logistical support to the fishery law enforcement activities. 5. Based on the above discussion on upwelling, the most critical marine ecosystem in the whole of the province of Romblon is located between Romblon island and Sibuyan island wherein present is an upwelling area that supplies the surrounding body of water with rich nutrients for the massive production of seagrass, macro-algae and micro-algae like the phytoplankton which are primary producers that support the food webs of pelagic fish. Moreover, the presence of said upwelling area resulting to a condition of high fish carrying capacity of the sea coupled with the presence of the adjacent large oceanic water bounded on all sides by continental shelf of southern Luzon, west-east-south of the Visayan regions have made possible the proliferation of sharks, dolphins, tuna, sea turtles, manta rays and whale sharks which serve as indicator species that indicate relatively high biodiversity and biomass of both the fish habitat (corals and seagrass) and the fishery. Therefore, scientific thinking dictates that said upwelling area must be protected from activities that degrade the corals and seagrass beds and destroy the integrity of the food webs with wide range of trophic levels with the shark occupying the top positions in the food webs.