Sea Urchin Management in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines: Attempts on Sustainable Use of a Communal Resource

Abstract

"The sea urchin, Tripneustes gratilla. is exploited in the reef flats of Bolinao for its roe. A high international demand for brined sea urchin gonads since the early 1980's has led to an over fished resource base. An exploitation level index of 0.6 to 0.7, and slow decline in harvest rates from 1987 to 1989 indicate the extent of overfishing. as of 1988. The adoption of an annual closed collecting season from December to January helped mitigate the status in 1989. Succeeding closed seasons however suffered from lack of effective enforcement. Changing patterns in the manpower structure of the industry from self-employment among fishermen, to one of direct dependence of fishermen on foreign buyers with increasing capital inputs, seem to have exacerbated over-harvest of sea urchins. Although the potential to draw a comprehensive management plan exists within the powers of the municipality of Bolinao, an effective village mobilization program directed at grassroots participation in resource stewardship is the recommended course of action."