Republic of the Philippines

Province of Catanduanes
Municipality of Panganiban
Region V (Bicol)

Panganiban National High School

Caic- Compound
Panganiban, Catanduanes

CONQUERING THE SEA WAVES: THE FISHERMAN’S LIFE AT CAGDARAO, PANGANIBAN,

CATADUNAES

Submitted by:

Bryan C. Tumazar

Student

Submitted to:

Ms. Mary Jane M. Valledor

Adviser
 Table of Contents

Preliminaries
Abstract ……………………………………………………………………………………………… i
Table of Content …………………………………………………………………………………….. ii
Acknowledgement …………………………………………………………………………………... iii

Chapter 1

Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Objectives of the Study …………………………………………………………………….............. 2
Significance of the Study ……………………………………………………………………………3
Research Questions ………………………………………………………………………………… 4

Chapter 2

Literature …………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Collection of Data ………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

Chapter 3

Research Design ……………………………………………………………………………………. 7

Chapter 4

Conclusion and Implication …………………………………………………………………………. 8

Data analysis and Interpretation Procedure…………………………………………………………... 9
Reference and Appendices ………………………………………………………………………… .. 10
 Introduction

Fishermen poverty is a big issue because of the difficulty of the contributing factors. This study is based on a
previous study of fishermen poverty through a meta-analysis known as social representation caused by complex
factors, internal and external. This study is follow-up study aimed to describe the exploration in meaning of the
lives on poor fishermen in fishing communities at Cagdarao, Panganiban, Catanduanes. This research is
qualitative research. The subject in this study were the fishermen in Cagdarao. From this research, it is lnow the
meaning of the life as poor fisherman appears on the scopes. Self-insight, the meaning of life, changing attitude,
self-commitment, directed activities and social support. Exploring the meaning of life through these scopes
makes them tend to maintain their work as fishermen. Analysis from macro and micro perspective on
fishermen’s poverty illustrates that social knowledge that is formed, spreaded and shared, has become the root
for fishermen’s poverty. To survive due to shared social knowledge. Poverty inclines to repeat itself as a
sequence. The whole process on the poverty spiral of the fishing community was formed as a representation
because of the spread of knowledge in the consensual world of fishermen through interaction and
communication.
 Objectives of the Study

The purpose of the research is to study the status of subsistence fishermen community of Cagdarao,
Panganiban, Catanduanes and to develop strategies for increasing their benefits from travel. The objectives of
this research is ;

1. To identify the socio-economic status of the fishermen community, particularly income generation,
social structure and settlement patterns. To study the fish catching practices of these people and the
catch pattern in different seasons.

Significance of the Study

A few researches have been undertaken in Panganiban on issues related to coastal fishermen communities
and tourism development. Cagdarao is a tourist spot as well as a settlement for fishing community. This
research combined tourism development seeking to formulate strategies for the nourishment of the fishermen
communities at Cagdarao, Panganiban, Catanduanes.
 Research Question
1. What is the longest time weather system has prevented you from effectively fishing your best areas?
2. At what point do you consider the water too rough to fish?
3. Where do you fish and how long have you been fishing? (Put check only)
1-3 days

4-6 days

7-9 days

Literature
Review of literature gives an understanding of previous studies on the income and expenditure pattern of
fisherfolk and its impact on standard of living. The main aim of review of literature is to know the studies that
have already been done in the income and expenditure area of fisherfolk field and how income and expenditure
pattern and standard of living of rural fisherfolk studies relate to earlier researches. This review gives an
overview of the findings of various previous fisherfolk studies and helps us to identify general patterns of the
findings and the conclusions that can be made. It provides an insight into rural fisherfolk in the southern coastal
districts of Tamil Nadu and their income and expenditure and its impact on standard of living which could be is
similar to or different from previous studies at national and international levels. Some of the research studies in
fisherfolk and their standard of living include a section on recommendations for further research which
indicates a study on whether income and expenditure and its impact on standard of living and indebtedness.
Now it is on the right course in studying something that has not been explored before. This chapter gives a
review of the published literature related to income and expenditure, standard of living, saving and indebtedness
of rural fisherfolk. Review of literature shows that majority of the fisherfolk are living in poverty and they are
not yet rescued from the clutches of moneylenders. 11 Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (1987) in its
annual report stated that during January to March and up to mid of April fish landings decline. However, after
the ban period, there is a tendency of increase in landings which again slowly decline towards banned season.
Therefore, the ban has thus a beneficial ecological effect that helps in the conservation of the marine resources.1
Noble and Narayanan Kutty (1978) indicated that the gross income in relation to investment is very good in the
indigenous fishing units and gives proportionately higher rate of production than the mechanized units. The
country crafts require comparatively less investment and it can be economically put into action even when the
fish in the sea is scanty.2 Sathiadhas and Venkataraman (1981) studied the impact of mechanised fishing on the
socio-economic condition of the fishermen of Sakthikulangar - Neendakara are of Kerala. This study found that
there were improvements in housing, literacy, employment, infrastructure, production, exports and earnings of
the region. It, however, recognized a rise in the level of indebtedness of the fishermen households which was
attributed to the bank loans taken by the households for purchase of fishing vessels. The study further pointed
out the lack of a fishing harbour as the major constraint affecting the development of the project area.3
Sathiadas (1982) indicated that the gross and net earnings of motorized units increased due to higher catches of
cuttle fish. However, he pointed out that there is not much difference in catch and revenue between motorized
and non-motorized units along Tirunelveli coast where the wind blows favourable most part of the year
enabling the non-motorized units to operate equally effective.4 12 Bay of Bengal Programme (1982) reported
that nearly 60 per cent of the families go without any meal on some days. The major reason is low income due
to low or no catch. As for food consumption vegetables, meat and milk are consumed occasionally, fish atleast
half the year.5 Kurien and Mathew (1982) in their study indicated that there are wide regional variations in the
species-mix of the marine resource in the country. The nutritive value of all species of fish is almost the same
but there are different types of market demands and prices for various species. There is a direct impact of
mechanization on fish production in quantitative as well as qualitative nature.6 Bay of Bengal Programme
(1997) conducted a nutrition survery in Nochikuppam and Ayodyakuppam marine fishing hamlets in Madras
city which indicated that of 482 children under five years of age, 55% were malnourished mildly or moderately
and 3% severely (Gomez weight/age classification). The families’ dietary patterns showed quantitative and
qualitative variations over the year, depending on the fishing seasons. 75% of the families spent Rs. 10 to Rs. 20
a day on food; while the daily income ranged from Rs. 10 to Rs. 30. Fish was the animal protein consumed
almost every day by most families. Milk, meat and fruit were eaten rarely.7 Balakrishnan and Alagaraja (1984)
analysed and concluded that the reasons for the clashes between the mechanized boat owners and the
indigenous craft owners caused to heavy damages in the year 1978 in the coastal areas from Jagathapattinam in
Pudukkottai District to Mallipattinam in Thanjavur district. It was suggested that the forming of Peace Council
comprising of the local R.D.O. as chairman and representatives from State Fisheries Department, mechanized
boat owners and indigenous craft owners 13 as members worked satisfactorily to end the clashes. The Peace
Council drew schedules of restricted fishing for mechanized boats for three days in a week and traditional boats
for four days. This was strictly kept up by the respective boat owners without any violation, while all the types
of boats operate during day time. Since the system of regulated fishing worked satisfactorily, the same may be
extended to other regions where the clashes between these two sectors exist.8 Sam Bennet and Arumugam
(1985) in their study concluded that quiet changes have taken place in the fishery due to the introduction of
mechanization of traditional fishing crafts. The highlights are (i) fishermen are benefited by increased catch per
unit as well as increased price for the catch by arriving earlier.
 Collection of Data

The phrase “fisheries data” is a general way of referring to data that may be of use in the
management of a fishery as well as for commercial, recreational, cultural, and scientific purposes.
Such data usually include biological information about the exploited fish and associated species,
economic information about the fishermen and the markets for the catch, and information about
the environmental conditions that affect the productivity of the species. This information is
collected from many sources.

A primary source of information is the commercial and recreational fishermen themselves,

so-called fishery-dependent data. Logbooks (also called trip tickets) are designed to collect data
on the time and place of fishing, the effort expended, catch by species, and other information. In
many jurisdictions, completion of logbooks is a condition of participation in the fishery. Often,
information from logbooks is the most timely information on current fishery conditions;
mechanisms for self-reporting are rare in recreational fisheries.

Catch sampling programs are another important source of information. Fish can be
measured and weighed either at sea (by observers) or at landing sites (by port agents).
Observers are placed on commercial fishing vessels to provide information on fishing activities
that are not always reported in logbooks, such as effects of fishing activities on protected species
and the extent and fate of by catch and discarding. Samples can be obtained to determine the
species composition, sex ratio, and age composition of the catch.

In some fisheries, scientific surveys are a vital component of the stock assessment process.
Research vessels of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and
commercial fishing vessels operating under charter agreements with NOAA are used to conduct
surveys of fish abundance. These surveys are the primary source of fishery-independent data,
including estimates of the age structure of fish populations and relative abundance of stocks. The
National Research Council (NRC, 1998a) demonstrated the importance of accurate indices of
abundance, which in many fisheries can be obtained only from fishery-independent surveys.
 In fiscal year 1999, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) spent $28.8 million on
ship time for surveys (not counting personnel and analyses), $3.9 million for recreational
monitoring, $9.2 million on observer programs (with another $10 million provided by industry),
and $2.8 million on vessel monitoring system (VMS) programs. The expenditure by NMFS for
these data collection activities is thus on the order of $45 million. Additional expenditures were
made by states and industry. The total fishery harvest in the United States (commercial and
recreational) is valued at approximately $45.7 billion when the total economic effects are
included (NMFS, 1995).
 Data Analysis Interpretation
Questions Percentage Rank
1. How many days you spent
in catching fish in the
ocean?
1-2 Days 40% 1
3-5 Days 40% 1
6-7 Days 20% 3
2. How miles did you travel
to reach desired place?
3 miles 0% 4
5 miles 20% 2
4 miles 20% 2
6 miles 40% 1
Or more
3. It is hard to catch the fish?
Yes 60% 1
No 40% 2
4. How many hours did you
travel in the ocean?
3 hrs. 20% 2
4 hrs. 40% 1
5 hrs. 20% 2
Or more 20% 2
5. Is fishing sustained your
daily needs?
Yes 20% 2
No 20% 2
others 60% 1

According to the data presented there are 40% of the population unsacred they spent 1-5 days in
catching fish while 20% for 6-7 days. While 40% in 6 miles away when travelling to reach the desired place and
20% for both 4-5 miles away. And 60% of population answered it is hard to catch fish while 40% is No. Also
40% of population travel for almost 4hrs and the rest is 20% population. While must of the population answered
others, which have 60% in question if catching depends on how many kilos they catch and 20% for yes and no.
Conclusion and Implication
Reference and Appendices
Research Design