Assessing the Formulation and Implementation of the Closed Fishing Season Policy for Sardines in Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines
Brillo, B.B., Elazegui, D., Cervantes, C. & Rola, A. (2016). Assessing the Formulation and Implementation of the Closed Fishing Season Policy for Sardines in Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines. Philippine Journal of Science, vol. 145, no. 4, pp. 395-404
18 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2017
Date Written: December 31, 2016
Abstract
The Closed Fishing Season Policy is a fishing regulation adopted by the national agency and local stakeholders to conserve the sardines species and sustain the operations of the industry in Zamboanga Peninsula. Fisheries regulation in the Philippines, particularly the formulation and implementation of closed fishing season, is a little explored area. Premised on this, the study assesses the making and subsequent enforcement of Joint DA-DILG Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2011. Employing a case study design, the article illustrates the interaction among the stakeholders and elucidates the issues as well as the constraining and facilitating factors in the formulation and implementation of the fishing regulation. In formulation, the study contends that the conservation policy was facilitated by precursor circumstances and practices (such as the decline of the tuna industry, the fishing closure in the Visayan Sea, the 3-day fishing ban, and the “self-regulation” measures) and the main issue was the starting period of the 3-month fishing closure. In implementation, it contends that the fishing regulation suffered from poor dissemination, insufficient safety nets, cooperation problems, industry unpreparedness, and lack of evaluative studies. The favourable factors include the availability of resources, support from stakeholders, few violations, employment of strategic alternatives, and improvement in provision of safety nets. Overall, the 3-year closed season was deemed favourably as the stakeholders acknowledge the problem and recognise the appropriateness of the measure.
Keywords: Closed Fishing Season, Fisheries Regulation , Philippines, Policy Making, Sardines, Zamboanga Peninsula
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