Fisheries law enforcement and compliance in District 1, Iloilo Province, Philippines

The study aims to describe the implementation of fisheries laws by the enforcing agencies and to determine the compliance level among fishers in District 1, Iloilo Province, Philippines. Composite teams were deputized and provided logistic support to enforce the fisheries laws. The increase in the number of fisheries laws violations cases filed was attributed to the strengthening of law enforcement operations in the area.An understanding of how the fisheries laws are being enforced as well as the fishers' reasons for compliance and non-compliance of fisheries laws by CRM program implementers is essential in planning for their effective dissemination and implementation and in increasing participation of stakeholders in the management of a particular resource. The establishment of a co-management structure for a common resource that involves the concerned local government units and stakeholders allows for more integrated and complementary approach in law enforcement activities. Such structures therefore lead to a much improved and strengthened enforcement of fisheries laws that affect a particular resource. Support in terms of finances, manpower, technical assistance from the local government units or LGUs is a vital element in the implementation of fisheries laws in any community. Awareness of cases of violations of the fisheries laws as well as apprehensions among the fishers also increases their consciousness about the fisheries laws and therefore is critical in improving compliance levels among them.

► Inter-municipality alliance strengthens fisheries law enforcement. ► Local government unit support is a critical element in fisheries laws enforcement. ► Fishers' awareness of fisheries law violations increases compliance among them. ► Planning for enforcement of laws needs knowledge on reasons for compliance. ► Identifying factors critical to effective law enforcement leads to institution of support structures.