Sustainability of Municipal Fisheries Resources of the Coastal Municipality of Infanta, Pangasinan, Philippines

Infanta is one of the coastal municipalities of the province of Pangasinan located along the West Philippine Sea. It has seven coastal barangays of Cato, Poblacion, Nayom, Atel-Batang, Bayambang, Maya and fatima, and 6 non-coastal barangays of Bamban, Nangalisan, Potol, Doliman, Babuyan and Pita. The sustainability of the municipal fisheries resources of Infanta was studied by conducting a survey on the socio-demographic and socio-economic profile of the 201 municipal fisherfolks, the types of fishing gears and fishing boats used, and the species of fish caught. Results showed that most of them (88%) had a monthly household income of less than ₱5,000.00, and had 1 to 30 years of fishing experience while 12% had longer years of fishing experience which ranged from 31 to 55 years. They spent 1 to 9 hours of fishing in the municipal waters and spent one week of fishing operation outside the municipal waters. Hook and lines were the most commonly used fishing gears which can be simple, multiple or modified hooks and lines. Others used seine net, gill net scoop net, bottom set net and spear gun. Almost all of the respondents (93.03%) used motorized boat in fishing. The most common species of fish caught in the municipal waters of Infanta include frigate tuna and oceanic trigger fish, while yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, big-eyed tuna, dolphin fish and Spanish mackerel were the species caught outside the municipal waters. Squid was also a part of their catch for they used squid lure in fishing.

Keywords: Municipal fisheries, municipal fisherfolks, socio-demographic, socio-economic, municipal fishing gears,