A Comparative Study on Small-scale Fisheries between South Korea and Philippines

Abstract

Small-scale Fisheries (SSF) is an important fisheries sector for both developed country of South Korea and developing country of Philippines. This thesis studied to compare the current status between the two countries in the SSF sector and their management practices for the conservation of their coastal and marine resources. Number of fisherfolk and boats, gear use, fish catch production and socio-economic contribution of the small-scale fisheries was identified to determine the dependence and contribution of the sector. Based on the results obtained, common current fisheries problems in the small-scale fisheries sector between two countries are: depleted fishery resources, habitat degradation, inadequate management system, institutional changes and climate change. Furthermore, SSF in South Korea and Philippines management failures to address the support to the coastal communities for their fishery rights in the development of the coastal resources is one of the priorities. Management and conservation plans and programs between the two countries to address issues was also identified. Part of the future directions in Korean fisheries addressed the critical problems in the small-scale fisheries sector. To help the coastal fisherfolk, the government plan to improve coastal community and to revive fishing villages by improving regulations and management strategies through coastal culture industrialization by developing the branding industry in the fishing villages by branding of culture, history and natural resources in coastal areas and integration of coastal areas to civil planning, While Philippines management plans are focusing on sustainability by improving the registration and licensing system, preservation and protection by enforcing the law, capacitating the communities capability for the management of the resources, integration and improving the communication capacities of the government to inform the people the importance of the coastal and marine environment. This best management practices was determined for possible adaptation between two countries of South Korea and Philippines or even other countries to improve their small-scale fisheries sector in terms of management and production.