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CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Background

This chapter presents the Introduction, Setting of the Study, Theoretical

Framework, Conceptual Framework, Statement of the Problem, Hypothesis,

Assumption of the Study, Scope and Limitation of the Study, Significance of the

Study, Objectives of the Study, and Definition of terms.

Introduction

Oceans support the livelihoods of an estimated 520 million people who

rely on fishing and fishing related activities, and 2.6 billion people who depend

on fish as an important part of their diet. But Illegal fishing is threatening the food

supply of coastal communities as fish populations decline due to overfishing in

areas fishers are not permitted to access. Addressing illegal fishing will positively

contribute to the equitable growth and empowerment of the people who rely on

oceans for food and income.

Illegal fishing refers to fishing goings-on that are carried out by overseas

vessels with no authorization in waters under the control of another state, or

which breach its fisheries rules and regulations in some other way.

In other words, it’s that kind of fishing activity that contravenes the

fisheries regulations and laws like refusing to acknowledge fishing times and fish

harvesting in marine or water protected areas. Most of the illegally harvested fish

are sold in black markets and were reported to be in the ranges of 14 to 33

percent of the globe’s legal catch.

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Despite overfishing remaining a major problem in many fishing countries,

threatening food security, livelihoods, and conservation, empirical data on

factors exacerbating overfishing remains scarce.

It is estimated that nearly 20% (11–26 million metric tons) of global fish

catch is caught illegally every year. For fisheries, this leads to a loss of 10–23.5

billion USD. Such patterns also vary across regional scales, as illegal fishing in

the western and central Pacific Ocean and eastern central Atlantic accounts for

over 30% of the total catch.

Illegal fishing can be defined as illegitimate, unreported, and unregulated

fishing in illegal areas, such as protected zones or foreign water, or targeting

protected species. Although many small-scale fishers target such areas for

recreational fishing, the large-scale, long-distance, fishing operations are the

ones most damaging.

Over recent decades, the rapid expansion of distant-water fishing due to

better technology, engineering capacities, and increased fishing efforts, has

been associated with high incidences of illegal, unreported, and unregulated

fishing activity. This is of particular concern for the sustainability of global

fisheries, the preservation of key marine areas, and the protection of

endangered species.

Fishpen and fish cages are the major structures used in inland waters

(Araullo, 2011). Its sizes vary dependent on the capability of the operator to

finance such.
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Today cage culture is receiving more attention by both researchers and

commercial producers. Factors such as increasing consumption of fish, declining

stocks of wild fishes and poor farm economy has increased interest in fish

production in cages. Many small or limited resource farmers are looking for

alternatives to traditional agricultural crops. Aquaculture appears to be a rapidly

expanding industry and it offer opportunities even on a small scale. Cage culture

also offers the farmer a chance to utilize existing water resources in which most

cases have only limited use for other purposes.

This study aims to determine the awareness of residents of selected

coastal barangays of Agoncillo, Batangas on illegal fish cages. As future law

enforcers, it aroused their curiosity to find out the socio-economic effects of

illegal fish cages in and to establish the awareness of the residents on illegal

fishing. By choosing this title the questions that arise in the minds of researchers

will be answered.
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Setting of the Study

The setting of the study is in the municipality of Agoncillo, Batangas,

where the respondents were residing.

Agoncillo is a 4th class municipality in the province of Batangas,

Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 39,101 people.

Figure 1.

Map Showing the Municipality of Agoncillo, Batangas

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Figure 2.

Municipal Building of Agoncillo, Batangas

Theoretical Framework

The study is based on the Behavioural Change Model (BCM) by Marcel

Balm and the Environmentally Responsible Behavior (ERB) by Cottrell & Graefe.

Behavioral Change Model (BCM) is reasoning directly associated with the

supposition that if people were better informed, they would become more aware

of environmental problems and consequently, would be motivated to behave in

an environmentally responsible manner.

On the other hand, Environmentally Responsible Behavior (ERB)

indicates that intention to act, locus control (an internalized sense of personal

control over the events in one’s own life), attitudes, sense of personal
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responsibility, and knowledge suggested whether a person would adopt a

behavior or not.

In these studies, by applying the Behavioral Change Model, the

researchers will be able know whether the respondents were informed or not of

the National and Municipal law regarding the Coastal Management and

Protection. While the Environmentally Responsible Behavior, when applied in

the study, will identify if the respondents developed sense of responsibility

towards the environment, specifically on the Coastal Management and

Protection on their Barangay.

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Conceptual Paradigm

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Profile of
respondents in
terms of:
1.1 Age
1.2 Gender
1.3 Civil Status
1.4 Religion
1.5 Educational Formulation of
Attainment recommendations
Data gathering and
to further inform
analysis through
survey and enhance the
Level of awareness questionnaires. level of awareness
of residents of of the residents of
selected coastal Agoncillo,
barangays of Batangas on illegal
Agoncillo, Batangas fish cages
on illegal fish cages
in terms of:
2.1 fish production
2.2 livelihood
2.3 pollution
2.4 acts
constituting it
2.5 penalty
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Figure 3.

Conceptual Paradigm

The input of the study depicts the demographic profile of respondent in

terms of age, gender, civil status, religion and educational attainment.

Data gathering and analysis through survey questionnaires is included in

the process.

Lastly, Formulation of recommendations to further inform and enhance

the level of awareness of the residents of Agoncillo, Batangas on illegal fish

cages is included in the output.

Statement of the Problem

This research intends to find out the awareness of residents of selected

coastal barangays of Agoncillo, Batangas on illegal fish cages.

Specially, this study sought to answer the following.

1. What is the demographic profile of respondent in terms of?

1.1 age;

1.2 gender;

1.3 civil status;

1.4 religion; and

1.5 educational attainment?

2. What is the level of awareness of residents of selected coastal barangays of

Agoncillo, Batangas on illegal fish cages in terms of:

2.1 fish production;

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2.2 livelihood;

2.3 pollution;

2.4 acts constituting it; and

2.5 penalty?

3. Is there a significant relationship between the awareness of residents of

selected coastal barangays of Agoncillo, Batangas on illegal fish cages and

the demographic profile of the respondents?

4. Based on the study, what recommendations can be formulated to further

inform and enhance the level of awareness of the residents of Agoncillo,

Batangas on illegal fish cages?

Hypothesis

The profile of the respondents has no significant relationship between the

awareness of residents of selected coastal barangays of Agoncillo, Batangas on

illegal fish cages and the demographic profile of the respondents.

Assumption of the Study

It is assumed that:

1. The respondents of the study will be more cooperative and will answer the

questionnaires with all honestly and accurately.

2. The questionnaires will be retrieved at the appointed time or earlier so

that the analysis of the respondents' answers can be done immediately.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

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This research is centered only on the level of awareness of the residents

of Agoncillo, Batangas on illegal fish cages. Only illegal fishing thru the use of

cages is included in the study.

The respondents will be fifty (50) randomly selected residents of

Agoncillo, Batangas.

Significance of the Study

The study on the level of awareness of the residents of Agoncillo,

Batangas on illegal fish cages would be beneficial to the following:

To the Criminology students, this study will contribute to the students of

Criminology to learn more about the Illegal Fish Cages.

To the PNP Agoncillo, this study will help them to create more effective

measures that will help them to prevent and reduce crimes regarding Illegal Fish

Cages.

To the community members of Agoncillo for they will be given ideas

on how to handle such Illegal Fish Cages. Their minds will be aware.

To the local citizens, for them to be raise awareness regarding the

Illegal Fish Cages.

To the present researchers, the result of this study will enable to them

to apply what they have learned, and they can adapt such knowledge once they

become connected with police service.

To the future researchers, it would contribute new knowledge and would

serve as a major breakthrough for further study on this area.

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Objectives of the Study

The study aims to determine the awareness of residents of selected

coastal barangays of Agoncillo, Batangas on illegal fish cages. It will discover

the level of awareness of the residents on illegal fish cages in their locality. It

also aims to formulate recommendations to further inform and enhance the level

of awareness of the residents of Agoncillo, Batangas on illegal fish cages.

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Definition of Terms

Awareness-it is a knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.(Cambridge

Dictionary)

Behavioral-means relating to the behavior of a person or animal, or to the study

of their behavior. (Cambridge Dictionary)

Biodiversity – it is the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or

ecosystem. (Oxford Dictionary)

Coastline- it is the outline of a coast, especially with regard to its shape and

appearance. (Oxford Dictionary)

Coral Reefs- a ridge of rock in the sea formed by the growth and deposit of

coral. (Oxford Dictionary)

Costal Ecosystems- are areas where land and water join to create environment

with a distinct structure, diversity, and flow of energy. They include salt

marshes, mangroves, wetlands, estuaries, and bays and are home to

many different types of plants and animals. (https://enviroliteracy.org)

Fisheries-an agency responsible for the development, improvement,

management and conservation of the country’s fisheries and aquatic

resources. (https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph)
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Global Crisis- it is a situation in which everyone or everything in the world is

affected by one or more very serious problems.(Oxford Dictionary)

Hazardous- involving or exposing one to risk.(Merriam Webster Dictionary)

ICM- abbreviations for Integrated Coastal Management, is a process for the

management of the coast using an integrated approach, regarding all

aspects of the coastal zone, including geographical and political

boundaries, in an attempt to achieve sustainability. (Encyclopedia of

Marine Mammals Third Edition)

Marine Attractions- those attractions or spots pertaining to the ocean or sea.

(https://en.m.wikipedia.org)

MPA-abbreviations for Marine Protected Areas, is defined as any area of the sea

especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological

diversity and of natural and associated cultural resources nad managed

through legal and other effective means. (Encyclopedia of Marine

Mammals Third Edition)

Marine Life -or sea life or ocean life, is the plants, animals and other organisms

that live in the salt water of the sea or ocean, or the brackish water of

coastal estuaries. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org)

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CHAPTER 2

Review of Related Literature and Studies

This chapter presents the Foreign Literature, Foreign Studies, Local

Literature, Local Studies, and Synthesis.

Foreign Literature

According to Vann (2019) Illegal fishing refers to fishing activities in

contravention of applicable laws and regulations. Unreported fishing refers to

fishing activities that are not reported or are misreported to relevant authorities.

And unregulated fishing is done by vessels without nationality or that are not

regulated by their flag state, the country in which a vessel is registered. It also

occurs when vessels fish in areas or for stocks for which there are no applicable

conservation or management measures.

Damian (2018) defined illegal fishing as illegitimate, unreported, and

unregulated fishing in illegal areas, such as protected zones or foreign water, or

targeting protected species. Although many small-scale fishers target such areas

for recreational fishing, the large-scale, long-distance, fishing operations are the

ones most damaging.

Andrew & Sterner (2017) stated that fisheries in developing countries are

experiencing serious over-harvesting stress and often consequent collapse of

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fish resource stocks due to many market and policy failure situations such as

poor management and open access conditions.

Aldon (2019) noted that commercial fishers intruding municipal waters

was considered the most rampant form of illegal fishing activities by small-scale

fishers. Illegal fishing is still a widespread problem despite the establishment of

an act to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal unreported and unregulated fishing.

Ducker (2021) stated that Some of the most destructive fishing practices

include cyanide fishing and the use of explosives. Still practiced in some

countries, cyanide is used to stun fish making them easier to catch. Elsewhere,

explosives like dynamite are used to kill fish so they float to the surface and can

be easily scooped up by nets. These destructive fishing practices can result in

irreversible damage to habitats and ecosystems. These methods are not allowed

within the MSC program and no fishery using them is eligible for certification.

Foreign Studies

In a study by Weekers (2021) and colleagues from New York University

and the University of Paris, the authors were able to explore the opportunity

structure of illegal recreational fishing (poaching) in no-take zones in Australia’s

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Ali (2017) found out that In Egypt, fish farming in floating cages has been

established in the river because it is simple technology, does not require

additional water and economically feasible under Egyptian protein production

conditions. In the Nile branches, there are many legal and illegal floating fish
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cages. The benefits of such culture include increases in farm productivity and

profitability without any net increase in water consumption.

Wu (2020) highlighted that the environmental impact of fish-farming

depends very much on species, culture method, stocking density, feed type and

hydrography of the site. Most of the phosphorus, carbon and nitrogen input into

the fish culture system are through feed wastage, fish excretion and feces

production. The use of chemicals (therapeutants, vitamins and antifoulants) and

the introduction of pathogens and new genetic strains have also raised

environmental concerns. Carbon dioxide produced by fish respiration is unlikely

to create adverse effect on the environment.

Beveridge (2017) found out that impacts associated with the cage wastes

in the vicinity of the fish cages include eutrophication, toxic algal blooms,

increased turbidity, decreased oxygen conditions and loss of biodiversity.

Gondwe (2021) quantified the nutrient loads from the commercially

operated fish cages in the southeast arm of Lake Malawi. Although some loss of

nutrients from added feeds is unavoidable, the nutrient loads in the studied

cages are larger than desirable due to current stocking and feeding practices

used during the study period. Less than optimal feeding regimes increase the

costs incurred in rearing the fish to marketable size as well as contributing to the

loss of nutrients from the cages.

Local Literature
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Bartolime (2018) indicate illegal fishing has often been cited as a large

issue that threatens the sustainability of fisheries resources. It identified in their

comprehensive assessment of Philippine small-scale fisheries three major illegal

fishing activities: poison fishing, blast fishing and commercial fishing in municipal

waters.

According to Legazpi (2021), illegal fishing amounted to 27 to 40 percent

of fish caught in 2019 in the Philippines, which translates to approximately P62

billion ($1.3 billion) annually, the United States Agency for International

Development (USAID) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

(BFAR).

Belo (2021) stated that the Philippines already has laws that seek to

address growing threats to the country’s marine biodiversity and resources, such

as Republic Act No. 10654 or the Act to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal,

Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing, an amendment to the 1998 Philippine

Fisheries Code.

Fabro (2021) In 2019, the Philippine government overhauled its fisheries

policies, attempting to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing

through a new fisheries management areas (FMA) framework. Under this

strategy, Philippine water bodies have been delineated into 12 FMAs, mapped

out in accordance with the distribution of various fish populations rather than

according to administrative boundaries. Through a management board

responsible for creating and implementing management and enforcement plans,

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the new system aims to improve governance of each area at an ecosystem-wide

scale to curb the illegal fishing trade.

According to Miraflor (2021), illegal fishing amounted to 27 to 40 percent

of fish caught in 2019 in the Philippines, which translates to approximately P62

billion (US$1.3 billion) in value annually. Moreover, at least 30,000 or 30 percent

of municipal vessels remain unregistered, and commercial fishers do not report

up to 422,000 metric tons of fish each year. These statistics show the vast

impact IUU fishing has on the Philippines’ marine ecosystem. IUU fishing ranges

from small-scale, unlawful domestic fishing to more complex operations carried

out by industrial fishing fleets. It is by nature complex and clandestine, which

means data are hard to come by and substantiate.

Local Studies

The study of Mutia (2018) shows that local government implementation of

open access policy in Taal Lake tends to have negative effects on the lake's

fisheries. Open access allows for the unregulated entry of fishing practices like

fish cage culture which tend to increase the pollution load in the lake. Pollution

due to fish farming in cages seems to even exceed loads from domestic wastes

and agricultural runoff. While fish cages flourished in the lake, the income of

small fisher folk has declined because of dwindling catch from capture fisheries.

Sanchez (2017) assesses waste consumption by wild fish and the impact

on the final balance of wastes. Consumption was determined according to the

difference between the particulate matter exiting the cages and that reaching 5
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m away at three different depths, in the presence and absence of wild fish. Wild

fish around the experimental cages were counted during feeding and non-

feeding periods.

Fernandez (2018) found out that the most important environmental effects

of cage fish farming are related to the discharge of dissolved and particulate

organic matter deriving from fish metabolism and feeding.

Silvera (2019) stated that the most important environmental effects of

cage fish farming are related to the discharge of dissolved and particulate

organic matter deriving from fish metabolism and feeding.

According to Gonzales (2019) particulate wastes such as feces and

wasted feed– settle on the seabed in the vicinity of the farms, misbalancing the

benthic environment once assimilative capacity is exceeded.

Relevance of the Reviewed Literature and Studies to the Present Study

The literature in this chapter states the different illegal fishing methods

used in fishing. Illegal fishing was also defined in the literatures included.

Previous research has explained illegal fish cages destroy not only the

environment, but also the biodiversity as well.

Local literature cites various reports on how illegal fishing through fish

cages is extensive in the Philippines.

Even studies have found that illegal fish cages brought so many damage

and disadvantages not only to the environment but also to the organisms.
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CHAPTER 3

Research Method and Procedure

This chapter presents the research method, population and sampling

scheme, demographic profile of the respondents, research instruments,

validation of instruments, data gathering procedure and data analysis/statistical

treatment of data.

Research Method

This study used the descriptive method of research. The descriptive

method of research is used to gather the necessary information concerning the

awareness of residents of selected coastal barangays of Agoncillo, Batangas on

illegal fish cages. In such case, no other method of research will be more

appropriate to use but the descriptive method of research.

Population and Sampling Scheme

This study used random sampling technique to the residents of Agoncillo,

Batangas. The distribution of the survey questionnaires will be conducted to the

randomly selected residents of Agoncillo, Batangas, composed of fifty (50)

respondents.

Demographic Profile of the Respondents

The respondents of the study include residents Agoncillo, Batangas. The

respondents in this study were asked to answer the questionnaire on their

awareness on illegal fish cages. The respondents are the fifty (50) selected
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residents of Agoncillo, Batangas. They were profiled according to age, gender,

civil status, religion and educational attainment.

Research Instruments

The researchers used a self-made questionnaire to gather the data

needed. This instrument was used since it is not time-consuming and very

appropriate for the respondents who are residents of Agoncillo. The researchers

constructed the questionnaire based on the literatures and studies that they

examined. The ideas and concepts presented were analyzed and used by the

researchers to come up with their own questionnaire.

Validation of Instruments

After the construction of self-made questionnaires, the researchers

consulted their research adviser and instructor for the correction and revision.

After which the dean was also consulted before the questionnaires were

distributed to the respondents.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers submitted the request letter to the Barangay Chairman in

Agoncillo, Batangas and distributed questionnaire to the fifty (50) randomly

selected residents of the said municipality. The researchers coordinated with the

respondents and made sure that they have enough time to answer the

questionnaire to assure the accuracy of their responses. After two days, the

researchers collected the questionnaires, computed, and tabulated.

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Data Analysis/Statistical Treatment of Data

To arrive at clear interpretations, the data gathered were tallied,

classified, and tabulated. Statistical measures adapted in this study were:

Frequency – It was used in the study to determine the distribution of the

respondents in terms of age, gender, civil status, religion, and educational

attainment.

Percentage – It was used in this study to determine the proportion of the

respondents in each category out of total such as in the profile and the

number of the respondents and level of their performances.

Formula:

P=__f__ X 100 =