Factors influencing catch and support for the implementation of the closed fishing season in Davao Gulf, Philippines

Abstract

Abstract The closed fishing season policy is annually imposed in Davao Gulf to allow the fish stocks to recover and address the declining fish catch. Up to now, there were no assessments conducted to determine multiple factors that could have been contributing to its proper implementation in the Davao Gulf. A mixed-methods approach was used through interviews of fishers (N\xa0=\xa0229) and supplemented by nine focus groups in Governor Generoso, Lupon, Davao City, Sta. Maria, Don Marcelino and Malita. Results of the regression analysis showed that the catch per unit effort (CPUE) was highly influenced by revenue and number of years of fishing experience (df\xa0=\xa03, MS\xa0=\xa07.38, F\xa0=\xa047.90, p