Unified fisheries ordinance: a policy approach towards bay wide fishery management in Sibugay Province, the Philippines

One policy approach that has proved effective in managing bay wide fisheries resource projects else­ where is the Unified Fisheries Ordinance. The imple men­ tation potential of this approach was tested in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines through inter­LGU collaboration and joint enforcement to protect common marine ecosystems. The formulation process involved the use of governance principles i.e. functionality, trans pa­ rency, accountability and participatory to address issues involving commercial fishing, vessels fishing within mu­ nicipal waters, illegal and destructive fishing and excessive fishing. The paper aims to a) document the process of crafting a unified fisheries ordinance, b) to demonstrate its implementation and c) present the benefits gained by local government units in implementing the said policy. A series of participatory and consultative workshops were con­ ducted to engage 13 coastal municipalities, the province and other national agencies. Provisions and prohibitions which were agreed for inclusion into the unified ordinance were: a) color coding of boats; b) registry of fishers c) registry of fishing vessels; d) permits and licensing; e) zoning of coastal waters; f) incentives and rewards for enforcers; and g) a list of prohibited acts and penalties. Throughout the implementation phase, improvements observed include: a) the decline of illegal fishing activities within municipal waters; b) increase in compliance to the registration requirements for fishers, boats and fishing gear and c) revenue generated for the local government units (LGUs). The major outcomes during the implemen­ tation were the development of alliances and networks among stakeholders within the bay to strengthen enforce­ ment activities and increase compliance of the coastal communities in the observance of the policy or ordinance.