Indigenous Knowledge System of Fishers on Siganids in Lagonoy

Abstract

Anchored on the social learning theory, this study aims to infuse indigenous knowledge system in the management of fishery resources that are peculiar to a fishing ground. The study determined the indigenous knowledge of the fishers for the purpose of valuing, preserving and infusing them in managing fishery resources that are peculiar to a locality, which in this phase of the research is focused on siganids (Siganidae) in Lagonoy Gulf, Bicol Region, Philippines where a fishery management initiative exists. Formal knowledge on the species was consolidated and catalogued to serve as references in explicating the indigenous knowledge. The study adopted the qualitative method of research, and made use of key informant interview, focus group discussion and documentary analysis to gather and analyze data.  Fishers were the key informants and formed part of focus group discussions. The researchers who have studied siganids in the area and whose findings formed the basis of resource management strategies in the Lagonoy Gulf were interviewed to explicate the IKs to formal knowledge. The electronic and print media, books, information and communication materials, laws and ordinances were the sources of documents that were analyzed. Indigenous knowledge of fishers on siganids covers diversity, biology and events that indicate the species’ abundance during its spawning season.  Literature on siganids that were reviewed cover the areas of morphology, distribution and stock assessment, habitat, feeding fecundity and maturation, spawning behavior and season, fisheries and socio-economic aspects.  Notable were the locally-generated knowledge from studies that were conducted by a local academic institution, Bicol University Tabaco Campus, which formed the bases of local-government resource management initiatives.  The scientific bases of majority of the indigenous knowledge on siganids were found in the results of studies on siganids in the locality and elsewhere. However, some astronomical and natural events which fishers use to predict production like the date of new moon and production are either spuriously correlated, or limited to certain levels of exploitation.  The results of studies on siganid by the Bicol University Tabaco Campus were published in technical journals but dissemination of the results through printed materials was not sustained. Although siganids are important to fisheries in villages in Lagonoy Gulf, topics on the fish are not included in the text books and are not among the collection of information, communication and educational (IEC) materials of local government units and educational institutions. Siganids in the gulf continue to be overfished, despite several initiatives to manage the resource, which point to the need for effective knowledge management for siganids resource management.

Keywords: Indigenous knowledge system, siganids, Lagonoy Gulf, fisheries management