RESEARCH TITLE PROPOSAL

PROPONENT’S TITLE:
A PIONEERING FISHING HARBOR: INTEGRATING NEAR COAST ARCHITECTURE
THROUGH ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE APPROACH
RATIONALE:

According to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Philippines is one of the
leading fisheries and aquaculture producers in the world, ranking eighth (8th) among the top fish
producing countries, eleventh (11th) in aquaculture production, and fourth (4th) in the production
of aquatic plants globally in 2019. Currently, the fisheries industry sustains 1.6 million jobs in the
Philippines and contributes 1.52% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), including for
low-income families engaged in subsistence fishing.

Figure 1.1. Volume and Annual Growth Rate of Fisheries Production in Philippines from
April 2021 to June 2023 (PSA, August 2023)

Figure 1.2. Volume and Annual Growth Rate of Aquaculture Production in Philippines from
April 2021 to June 2023 (PSA, August 2023)

The Philippines has 36,289 km of coastline and 2,200,000 km of exclusive economic zone (EEZ),
both of which constitute its territorial waters. The country, which lies in the coral triangle, the hub
of the world's marine biodiversity, and habitat to almost 60% of all known fish species as well as
more than 300 different varieties of coral, is one of the major contributors to global fisheries
(Carpenter & Springer, 2005).
 Table 1.1. Areas and location of the major Philippine fishing grounds (BFAR, 2019)

Fishing ports, feeder ports, and commercial ports are the three types of ports in the Philippines.
Municipal or regional fishing ports are those that primarily service the fishing industry and serve
as a central facility for the gathering and distribution of fish. Feeder ports, which often serve small
passenger and fishing vessels, are ports built primarily to connect neighboring small islands and
nearby urban centers. Private commercial ports tend to the demands of their owners, while public
ports, which are run and maintained by the government, serve the needs of both the general public
and boats (Isareal, D.& Roque, R.).
As reported by Philippine Institute for Development Studies, there were 1,494 ports in the nation
as of 1997, of which 447, or 29.9%, were fishing ports, 214, or 14.3%, were feeder ports, and 833,
or 55.8%, were commercial ports. Therefore, the proportion of fishingports in all ports was quite
minimal. 502 or 60.3% of the 833 commercial ports were private, while 331 or 39.7% were public.

Despite the industry's importance and abundance, the fisheries sector has encountered
challenges, with fish populations dropping by an average of 20% over the past ten years as a
result of overexploitation, detrimental fishing methods, habitat destruction, and adverse effects
from land-based operations. Most regional ports that were already in operation were found to be
underutilized, and the municipal ports that were already established were determined to be grossly
inadequate to supply the coastal communities. The number of coastal municipalities in the
country in 1997 was 815. The nationwide ratio of municipal ports to coastal municipalities was less
than 50% that year, with 405 active municipal fishing ports. Furthermore, more than half of coastal
towns lacked a fishing port to support municipal fishing, despite a few municipalities having several
ports. The lack of environmental management in both regional and local ports is another concern
with the development of fishing ports. Numerous ports are situated in coves, rivers, and bays
where water pollution from the ports is likely to have a significant direct impact on the marine
environment and the local population due to hydrological and other physical conditions. As a result,
it is crucial that these poor environmental practices be prohibited.

With that, the Philippine government is working to reverse these patterns and promote sustainable
growth in the fisheries industry through the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project
(FishCoRe). The project, which is funded by the World Bank and will last seven years, prioritizes
a comprehensive approach to fisheries governance with a focus on the social and ecological
dimensions of the Philippines Waters and its resources which are divided into 12 FMAs under
Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 263, based on considerations including stock distribution,
fisheries system, and administrative divisions. The two FMAs (6 and 9), which are important fishing
grounds on the northwest coast of Luzon and in the archipelagic waters between Visayas and
Mindanao, are expected to see its implementation. This project adheres to RA 10654's Ecosystem
Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM), which emphasizes a comprehensive strategy that
improves the human component, manages, and conserves the Philippines Waters and its
resources, and regulates fisheries in a transparent, inclusive, and environmentally responsible
manner. It will cover coastal and marine areas encompassing about 32 million hectares that are
scattered across 11 regions and 24 provinces and are home to many fishing communities.
 Figure 1.3. 12 Fisheries Management Area for Effective Conservation and Management (The Maritime
Review, 2020)

By improving the structure, functionality, and biodiversity of marine ecosystems through adaptive
and sustainable management, these goals can be achieved. The concept of Near Coast
Architecture and Ecological Resilience Approach are some of the approaches in designing a
Fishing Harbor which are associated to each other.

People living in coastal communities often sense the peace, beauty, and tranquility that surrounds
the water. Coastal architecture is distinguished by the reflection of natural the coast elements to
give a feeling of spaciousness, openness, and how it can be elevated to sustain fluctuating coastal
conditions. The waterfront location introduced a variety of opportunities for sustainable design,
primarily pertaining to water management and conservation in the Philippines Waters, its
resources, and trading of fish more hygienic.

On the other hand, to manage fisheries efficiently, there is a rising demand to understand the
resilience of the integrated social-ecological system. The term "system" refers to the entire marine
ecosystem, which encompasses all marine resources, as well as the people who depend on it.
The long-term preservation of livelihoods, identities, and traditions in fishing societies, as well as
greater resilience of other marine resources, are all ideal outcomes for a resilient system for
fisheries. The role of Social-Ecological Resilience in coastal zone management refers to a social-
ecological system's capacity to withstand shifts and disruptions without transitioning to a new
system with a different set of rules and structures.

There are several ways to define measures for the establishment of ecological ports including
implementation of regulations related to decreasing emissions of harmful substances into the
atmosphere, creating a buffer along the coastline to deal with rising sea levels and storm surges,
vegetation that are resistant to saltwater, designing a landscape with trees that can absorb noise
and pollution, and the utilization of renewable energy in port activities and operations. In addition,
fisheries can create significant amounts of income and employment possibilities through
secondary service enterprises (Welcomme et al. 2010). Particularly, recreational fishing and tourist
activities have significant economic multiplying effects on the pleasure of activities in addition to
the market value of the fish.

The purpose of this proposed study is to design a Fishing Harbor which combines industry and
leisure drawn on an Ecological Resilience Approach as a new gateway to promote the
development of near coast infrastructures, reduce environmental degradation, and foster
community resilience in coastal regions for not only the fish products but also for community
centers.

STATEMENT OF TH EPROBLEM

The Philippines, which is situated in the coral triangle, is one of the world's largest producers of
fisheries and aquaculture. Despite the significance and value of the industry, the fisheries sector
encountered challenges due to overexploitation, poor environmental practices, destructive fishing
methods, habitat degradation, and adverse impacts from land-based operations. The proposed
study aims to address these factors by reversing these patterns and promote sustainable growth
in the fisheries industry through Ecological Resilience Approach. Specifically, this study sought to
answer the following problems:

1. The current absence of fish port complex that aids in fostering community resilience and
sustainable growth of near coast infrastructures.
2. The lack of environmental management in fishing ports that have a significant direct
impact on the marine environment and the local population due to hydrological and other
physical conditions.
3. The lack of fishing port to support municipal fishing due to underutilized, despite a few
municipalities having several ports.
4. The environmental, economic, and social sustainability of the project.

DESIGN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

A. Project Goals

The proposed study entitles, “A Pioneering Fishing Harbor: Integrating Near Coast
Architecture through Ecological Resilience Approach” aims to:

1. To provide a design solution that will foster community resilience and promote sustainable
growth of near coast infrastructures for the benefit of society and the environment.

2. To establish a fishing harbor that will sustain fluctuating coastal conditions on a long term,
continuous basis.

3. To address the challenges of the fisheries sector as a result of lack of environmental

management, overexploitation, detrimental fishing methods, habitat destruction, and
adverse effects from land-based operations.
B. Project Objectives

The study aims:

1. To design and establish a fishing harbor which combines industry and leisure that will
serve as the new gateway for fisheries and aquaculture products.
2. To provide an environment that is conducive to the growth of fishery sector and its
community through secondary service enterprises, adaptive, and sustainable
management.

3. To provide safe landing facilities and other supportive facilities necessary for the efficient
handling and distribution of fishery products.

RESEARCH STRATEGY:

The type of research design that will be used in the study will be Qualitative and Quantitative
Research. The researchers analyze the information gathered from various sources to design a
solution for the proposal. The study was based on the information obtained by the researchers
through site visits, interviews, and observation. To create an effective design strategy, technique,
and programming for the proposal, the proponent will utilize the different research methodologies
below:

Gathering of Data
1. Review of Related Literature
This section will give relevant supplementary literature to the study. This will provide
additional data that is essential for addressing the research's objectives.
a) Related Local Projects
b) Related International Projects
2. Review of Published and Unpublished Materials
These are the printed and written materials that are relevant to the project that will be
proposed. For the compliance of such laws governed nearby, the local government
provides guidelines and rules.
a) Library and Department Research
The proponent will go to libraries to find relevant information for the study.
b) Online Data Collection
The study will involve collected data concerning the museum and disaster rick
management using websites, publications, propaganda, data, and literature.
c) Survey Methodology
The proponent will be conducting Interviews, Semi-structured Interview,
Observations, Consultations, and Questionnaires with knowledgeable residents
and experts of the fields related to the study.

Research Instruments
1. Library
• Books
• Newspaper and Magazines
• Journals
• Case Study
• E-books
 • World Wide Web / Internet
• Video Documentaries
2. Equipment
• Computer/Laptop
• Digital Camera
• Scanner

Gathering of Data Analysis

1. Historical Research Method
To determine the conditions for effectively achieving the research project's goals. To learn
more about the related historical issues and occurrences that might have an impact on
and aid in the improvement of the study.
2. Comparative Studies
The utilization of interviews and an evaluation of documents, records, and data. This will
be done to gather information on how to make the entire project unique and practical in
all aspects of its use and function.
3. Site Selection
Both the sites' positive and negative characteristics must be identified using SWOT
analysis. The location with the most advantageous qualities would be selected.
a) Site Criterion
b) Site Inventory

TYPES OF DATA TO BE COLLECTED:

The data that will be gathered throughout the entire process of investigating and analyzing the
proposal are as follows:

Primary Data
1. Building Laws such as Republic Act No. 6541 (National Building Code of the Philippines),
Republic Act No. 9514 (Fire Code of the Philippines), and Batas Pambansa Blg. 344
(Accessibility Law).
2. Design standards such as Anthropometric Design Standards and Time-Saver Standards
for Building Types

Secondary Data
1. General Information about Near Coast Architecture and Ecological Resilience Approach
gathered from archival documents, textbooks, journals, the internet, newspaper, e-books,
etc.
2. Statistical data about the fishery sector/industry, specifically the number of fish and
aquaculture products, number of existing fish ports in the Philippines, etc.
3. Review of Related Projects and Literatures: International and Local