Thesis (BS Agribusiness Economics) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2022

The Philippine fishing sector is a substantial contributor to the nation’s economy. It provides food, employment, and other economic benefits. Nonetheless, the country’s fisheries industry is plagued by output depletion and overexploitation, and catch rates are declining. This paper examines the socio-economic and technological aspects influencing the CPUE of fishermen in Sta. Maria, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Isidro, Mabini, and Governor Genesio. Using the Cobb-Douglas production function and quantile regression, this analysis also contrasts important drivers across Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and non MPA. In this study, CPUE is calculated using the formula; catch per week of fisher in kilograms (kg) divided by fishing effort hours per week. Results suggest that in non-MPAs, training and affiliation in a fishing organization are significant socio-demographic drivers of COUE, while the number of boat crew, fishing gear costs, boat type, and boat length are the important technological drivers. In addition, in MPAs, fishing experience and training are key socio-demographic drivers of CPUE, whereas crew size, cost of fishing gear, other costs, boat type, and boat length are the significant technological drivers. To achieve higher CPUE, it is recommended to improve training provision by increasing both the quantity and quality of training hours, maximizing the use of more inputs like motorized boats and fishing gear, providing more subsidies for fishermen such as access to low-cost credit sources, and developing, policies and management protocols that are geared toward sustainability to strengthen efforts in protecting marine resources