Thesis (BS Agribusiness Economics) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2023

This study examines the economic and livelihood dynamics of fisherfolk households and the nutrient intakes of their adolescent children aged 12 to 19 years old in Mabini, Davao de Oro, during the closed fishing season (June 1 to Aug 31) and open fishing season (Sept 1 to No 31) to assess the impact of fishing seasons on the nutrient intake of adolescents and understand the fishing, income, and livelihood variables associated with fisherfolks households. The 3-month temporary fishing closure on the fishing grounds of Davao Gulf is regulated by DA-DILG’s Joint Administrative Order No.2 with BFAR since 2014. It aims to conserve the juvenile pelagic fishes by prohibiting commercial fishing and the use of fishing gear with fine mesh nets like ring nets and bag nets, although municipal fishers can still fish for sustenance provided they also observe the prohibitions. We have identified 99 fishing household respondents from the six fishing barangays across the fishing seasons via stratified random sampling and used a baseline survey and adapted a three-day food recall questionnaire. Results show that respondents were identified as municipal fishers, predominantly married men who often use and own motorized boats, use hand lie gear more during fishing closures, and adapt by using different fishing gears and increasing the number of fishing trips during closure. Fishing trip frequencies were higher during the fishing closure, but catch per trip and fishing income were higher during the open fishing season. Adolescents’ nutrient intake per age group has energy, calcium and vitamin A. inadequacies but vitamin C, iron, total fat, and zinc inadequacies and surpluses vary seasonally among male and female adolescents. High sodium intake is observed across all age groups and fishing seasons. The study identifies significant drivers affecting nutrient intake, including age group, fishing season, hours per trip, source of income, boat type, marital status, and enrollment in school. These findings provide insights into the challenges faced by fisherfolk communities and the need to address nutritional inadequacies among adolescent children in such contexts.