Costs and returns analysis of municipal hook and line fisheries in selected coastal barangays of Hamtic, Antique

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the social and economic conditions of municipal hook and line fishermen; the cost structure of the hook and line fishing method; the profitability level of the municipal hook and line fishermen; the sharing system employed in the municipal hook and line fishery; and to identify the problems of the municipal hook and line fishermen. The study utilized the cost and return analysis. The limitation of this kind of analysis is the assumption that changes in effort and adjustment in fish stocks are taking place simultaneously. The percentage and average analysis failed to take full consideration of the time element of the study since it was based at a "one-shot" interview. The locale of the study are the selected coastal barangays of Hamtic, Antique namely Brgy. Caridad, Mapatag and Asluman. Any conclusions in this study is only applicable to the area concerned by this fishing gear and does not apply to other fishing grounds. Findings of the study showed that the average income of the municipal household was PhP 4168 which was below the average monthly income in Region VI which was PhP 5339.8. They can not be considered absolutely poor however because their average monthly income was still higher to the regional poverty threshold which was PhP 8197/year. Food was the biggest cost outlay of the municipal household which accounted for 68% of the total household expenses. In terms of cost structure, variable cost accounted for 84% of the total cost per trip. This showed that in every fishing trip, the fishermen needs to have enough money to cover its operating expenses. The small percentage of the total fixed cost relative to the total cost shows the level of mobility of the fishing unit to move to another gear type or even to another market of the fishing industry. Labor cost accounted for 48% to total cost per trip which showed how labor intensive is the hook and line fishing method. The opportunity cost, on the other hand, accounted for 13% of the total cost per trip. Almost all indices of profitability posted a negative values. This negative economic profit indicate a definite evidence of economic overfishing. It also indicate that the fishermen should seriously rethink their position in the fishing industry. The differences in findings of the study among the three sample barangays can be attributed to three important variables. First, is the average hour/trip and the average trip/per week. Since this is a per trip analysis, this had an implication on all variables. Secondly, is the number of motorized boats per barangay. Motorized boats have a higher depreciation cost, opportunity cost of owned capital and running cost. Third, would be the number of boats with crewmen/operators per barangay. This reflect the percentage of the respondents with a sharing system and this would entail a higher labor cost and consequently to total cost per barangay. The sharing system was flexible as evidenced by the different sharing arrangement between Brgy. Mapatag which had a 50-50 sharing arrangement compared to Brgy. Asluman and Caridad which was 60-40. The primary problem of the municipal fishermen was the presence of big fishing vessels like the baby purse seiner. Other problems mentioned were the illegal fishing operations like trawling which operate during the night, lack of capital for repair and maintenance and bad weather conditions. The improvement of the socioeconomic conditions of the fishermen should call for a general improvement of the environment in which they operate. The recommendations of the study asserts that the government should develop additional employment opportunities outside the fishery sector. Fishing effort should be controlled by regulation of entry in terms of number of boats or gears employed because of economic overfishing. Large scale fishing like the baby purse seiner should be regulated and trawling be effectively prohibited to increase the resource base of the small-scale fishery. A clear boundary line should then be put up to avoid encroachment of the big fishing vessels to the municipal waters.