Fishermen's Association of Malalison Island: Its role in managing the fishery resources

Abstract

This study, describes the evolution of FAMI as a fishery association and the role it played in the management of the fishery resources. Objectives of this study are: (1) to describe the emergence of the FAMI organization in the island barangay of Malalison, Culasi, Antique; (2) Document the support it obtained from government and nongovernmental partner organizations (i.e., SEAFDEC, PROCESS and the LGU); (3) to analyze the members’ understanding of, and participation in the collective management of fishery resources in Malalison Island; (4) to identify the changing roles assumed by FAMI members with regards to the sharing of management authority and responsibilities with government and other institutions for the management of fishery resources, and; (5) to analyze the ways by which FAMI activities can further contribute to the local community. FAMI effectively co-manage coastal fishery resources. This organizational activity also helps in the improvement of the living conditions of the small-scale fishers as well as decelerates the rapid depletion of the marine resources. Despite substantial trainings/seminars (pertaining to organizational strengthening, cooperative management, etc.,) FAMI members received from partner organizations, the association has problems on organizational matters, specially when partner organization SEAFDEC AQD formally turned over the full responsibility in managing the fishery resources to FAMI. This problem can be attributed to people’s attitude towards fellow member-fishers. People tend to look at NGOs or development programs as source of grants. The dole-out mentality of the people in marginalized communities such as Malalison is very prevalent. Interest in the program is not on how to sustain their development initiatives but more on how to survive and secure themselves first. The spirit of cooperativism is lost.