Fish farming and the fish community: The case of Victorias, Negros Occidental

Abstract

The rapid expansion of aquaculture in the past decades has brought about some economic benefits, but it has also resulted in various social and environmental problems. This observation points to the need to look at aquaculture development beyond conventional measures emphasizing economic benefits; there is a need to focus on the interplay of social, economic, and environmental factors in looking at aquaculture development. This study looks at the social, economic, and environmental impacts of aquaculture on small fishers in three coastal villages in Victorias, Negros Occidental and examines the responses of small and subsistence fisherfolk to the growth and proliferation of fish farming. The study points out the social and environmental issues usually arise as a consequence of conflicts between fish farmers and small fishers in the use of land and water and also because of the effluent charge and chemical residues coming from fishpond operations. When contextualized within a larger set of social and ecological issues, these conflicts have wider implications, especially when these involve unequal distribution of costs and benefits among different stakeholders.