Species Composition and Abundance of Marine Fishes in …iicbe.org/upload/7868C914065.pdf ·...

Abstract—This study aimed to identify the species composition

and abundance of marine fishes in selected landing areas of Northern Samar, Philippines; determine their abundance; their local names; and identify the fishing gears used. Sampling areas included Balicuatro Area, Central Area, and Pacific Area. Data were gathered using translated questionnaires. Fishermen and fish vendors were asked about fishing gears, local names of fishes, species caught and their abundance. The landing areas were visited once every three months, from January to December 2013. There were 102 species of fish belonging to 66 genera, 23 families, 3 sub-orders, 2 orders, 2 sub-classes, and 2 classes. The most abundant fish species is Atule mate Cuvier (yellow-tailed scad), while the least abundant is Plectropomus leopardus Lacepede (coral grouper). There were more fishes in the Balicuatro Area, than in the Central and Pacific Areas. The simple hook-and-line was the commonly used fishing gear of the fishermen.

Keywords—abundance, fishing gears, marine fishes, species composition

I. INTRODUCTION ISHES are cold-blooded animals, typically with backbone, gills, fins, and lungs. Best estimates from 15,000 to

17,000 recent species. There are many kinds of fishes and they come in different colors, shapes, and sizes [1].

The Coral Triangle, which includes the Philippines, is the heartland of marine biodiversity. There is relatively poor documentation for most groups other than fishes and corals. Even with fishes, there is a scarcity of information from specific locations within the Triangle [2].

In the coastal areas reside about 59% of the country’s total population and this is where about 70% of the 1,525 of the municipalities in the country, including 10 of the largest cities are located. This indicates how the lives of most Filipinos are closely linked with the sea and its biodiversity [3].

II. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study are: 1. To identify the species composition of marine fishes in

the landing areas of Northern Samar, Philippines;

Divina Galenzoga is with the College of Science, University of Eastern Philippines, Catarman, Northern Samar 6400 Philippines (e-mail: [email protected]).

Geraldine Quiñones is with the College of Science, University of Eastern Philippines, Catarman, Northern Samar 6400 Philippines.

2. To determine the abundance of marine fishes in the landing areas;

3. To determine the local names of marine fishes sold in the landing areas; and

4. To identify the fishing gears used by fishermen in catching the fishes.

III. METHODOLOGY Northern Samar lies in the northeast portion of the island

of Samar, Philippines with longitudes of 12° 15’ - 12° 45’ and latitudes of 124° 15’ - 125° 30’. It is one of the six provinces comprising Region VIII (Eastern Visayas). The province consists of 24 municipalities, i.e. 15 coastal towns, 5 island towns, and 4 interior towns. Catarman is the capital town of the province of Northern Samar.

Sampling areas included the coastal towns and landing areas of Allen and Lavezares (Balicuatro Area), Catarman and Mondragon (Central Area), and Pambujan and Laoang (Pacific Area).Data were gathered using semi-structured interview questionnaire in English and translated into Samarnon dialect, about the names of fishes, their abundance in the landing areas, their local names, and the fishing gears used by fishermen. The interviews were conducted to 60 fishermen (10 per landing area) and 60 fish vendors (10 per landing area) during the course of one year, i.e. January – December 2013. Visits in the landing areas, where freshly-caught fishes are sold, (local name: talipapa/small market) were done quarterly. During the sampling, fish species composition and abundance were recorded.

Fig. 1 Map of Northern Samar

Left: Balicuatro Area; Center: Central Area; Right: Pacific Area

Species Composition and Abundance of Marine Fishes in Selected Landing Areas of Northern

Samar, Philippines Divina Galenzoga, and Geraldine Quiñones

F

International Conference on Chemical, Environment & Biological Sciences (CEBS-2014) Sept. 17-18, 2014 Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

http://dx.doi.org/10.15242/IICBE.C914065 81

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Species Composition of Marine Fishes in the Landing Areas of Northern Samar, Philippines

The fishes listed below were found in all the landing areas of the Balicuatro, Central and Pacific Areas of the province. They composed the fish species composition. There were 102 species of fish belonging to 66 genera, namely: Caesio, Pterocaesio, Elegatis, Atule, Alepes, Decapterus, Selaroides, Megalaspis, Selar, Gnathanodon, Sardinella, Amblygaster, Escualosa, Herklotsichthys, Dussumieria, Stolephorus, Coryphaena, Gerres, Mugil, Hyporhampus, Cheilinus, Choerodon, Coris, Cirrhilabrus, Halichoeres, Oxycheilinus, Stethojulis, Leiognathus, Gazza, Eubleekeria, Lethrinus, Lutjanus, Parupeneus, Coryphaena, Pentapodus, Chanos, Scolopsis, Nemipterus, Cypselurrus, Cymbacephalus, Congresox, Trichiurus, Parapercis, Pygoplites, Centropyge, Abudefduf, Chromis, Chrysiptera, Pseudochromis, Scarus, Plectropomus, Cephalopholis, Epinephelus, Siganus, Scomberomorus, Katsuwonus, Thunnus, Scomber, Auxis, Rastrelliger, Euthynuus, Makaira, Helates, Arothron, Carcarinus, and Sphyrna; 23 families, namely: Caesionidae, Carangidae, Clupeidae, Coryphaenidae, Gerridae, Hemiramphidae, Labridae, Leiognathidae, Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae, Mullidae, Nemipteridae, Platycephalidae, Pinguipedidae, Pomacanthidae, Pomacentridae, Pseudochromidae, Scaridae, Serranidae, Siganidae, Scombridae, Tetraodontidae, and Carcharinidae; 3 sub-orders, namely: Percoidei, Siganoidei, and Scombroidei; 2 orders, namely: Beryciformes and Perciformes; 2 sub-classes, namely: Elasmobranchii and Actinopterygii; and 2 classes, namely: Chondricthyes and Osteichthyes.

TABLE I

SPECIES COMPOSITION OF MARINE FISHES IN THE LANDING AREAS OF NORTHERN SAMAR, PHILIPPINES

1. Family Caesionidae Caesio caerulaureus Lacepede Pterocaesio diagramma Bleeker Caesio erythrogaster Elegatis bipinnulata

2. Family Carangidae Atule mate Cuvier Alepes vari Cuvier Decapterus maruadsi Selaroides leptolepis Megalaspis cordyla Selar boops Selar crumenophthalmus Gnathanodon speciosus

3. Family Clupeidae Sardinella lemuru Sardinella fimbriata Sardinella albella Sardinella hualiensis Amblygaster sirm Escualosa thoracata Herklotsichthys dispilonotus Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatus Dussumieria acuta Eubleekeria jonesi James

Sardinella longiceps Sardinella gibbosa Blecker Stolephorus indicus

4. Family Coryphaenidae Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus

5. Family Gerridae Gerres macracanthus Blecker Gerres shima Iwatsuki, Kimura &

Yeshimo Mugil cephalus Linnaeus

6 .Family Hemiramphidae Hyporhampus quoyi Valenciennes

7. Family Labridae Cheilinus fasciatus Bloch Choerodon anchorago Bloch Coris batuensis Bleeker Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis Ishikawa Halichoeres melanochir Fowler &

Bean Oxycheilinus digramma Lacepede Stethojulis interrupta Bleeker

8. Family Leiognathidae Leiognathus equulus Forsskal Gazza minuta Bloch

18. Family Scaridae

9. Family Lethrinidae Lethrinus erythropterus

Valenciennes 10. Family Lutjanidae

Lutjanus decussatus Cuvier Lutjanus lutjanus Bloch Lutjanus fulviflamma Forsskal Lutjanus sebae Lutjanus russelli Lethrinus nebulosus

11. Family Mullidae Parupeneus barberinus Lacepede Parupeneus multifasciatus Quoy

& Gaimard Parupeneus brbarinoides Bleeker Parupeneus cyclostomus Coryphaena hippurus

12. Family Nemipteridae Pentapodus aureofasciatus

Russell Pentapodus trivittatus Bloch Chanos chanos Scolopsis

bilineata Bloch Scolopsis margaritifera Cuvier Nemipterus japonicus Ishikawa Scolopsis taeniopterus

13. Family Platycephalidae Cypselurrus opisthopus Bleeker Cymbacephalus

nematophthalmus Fowler Congresox talabon Trichiurus lepturus

14. Family Pinguipedidae Parapercis xanthozona Bleeker

15. Family Pomacanthidae Pygoplites diacanthus Boddaert Centropyge vroliki Bleeker

16. Family Pomacentridae Abudefduf sexfasciatus Lacepede Abudefduf vaigiensis Quoy &

Gaimard Chromis weberi Fowler & BEan Chrysiptera rollandi Whitley

17. Family Pseudochromidae Pseudochromis fuscus Muller &

Troschel

Scarus hypselopterus Bleeker Scarus niger Forsskal Scarus ghobban Scarus guacamaia

19. Family Serranidae Plectropomus leopardus Lacepede Cephalopholis cyanostigma

Valenciennes Cephalopholis sonnerati

Valenciennes Epinephelus fuscoguttatus Forsskal Cephalopholis miniatus Epinephelus fasciatus

20. Family Siganidae Siganus virgatus Valenciennes Siganus argenteus Quoy &

Gaimard Siganus spinus Linnaeus Siganus randalli Woodland Siganus stellatus Forsskal Siganus canaliculatus

21. Family Scombridae Scomberomorus commerson

Lacepede Katsuwonus pelamis Linnaeus Thunnus albacares Linnaeus Scomber australasicus Auxis thazard Rastrelliger brachysoma Rastrelliger kanagurta Euthynuus affinis Thunnus tonggol Thunnus albacares Makaira indica

22. Family Tetraodontidae Helates sexlineatus Quoy &

Gaimard Arothron nigropunctatus Bloch &

Schneider Arothron hispidus

23. Family Carcharinidae Carcarinus melanopterus

Sphyrna lewini

B. Abundance of Marine Fishes in the Landing Areas During the first quarter of the year, i.e. January-March,

fishes are less abundant since it is the time of year when ice and snow from the temperate parts of the world start to melt. The marine waters are cold, and some of the tropical fishes are still on their hibernation mode. While in the tropical countries, this is the season of spring time where the flowers begin to produce blooms and leaves again. The waters are still cold.

During the second quarter of the year, i.e. April-June, is the time when fishes are on their most abundant time of the year. Juveniles and young adult fishes, and all stages of fish life go out because it is summer time. Young fish start to grow and go out from their abode areas. The marine waters are warm and many other animals are out to sea and start again to enjoy the warm sunshine after the cold season.



During the third quarter of the year, i.e. July-September, some species of tropical fish start to hide themselves and be rested on their places of abode because the marine waters start to become colder. Fish composition and abundance become less.

During the fourth quarter of the year, i.e. October-December, some species of marine organisms are not found on the landing areas anymore because either they are dormant or hibernating; or are resting because they are on their gestation period. Although fishes are still found on the landing areas, but of fewer number.

Trevallies, jacks and their relatives are well represented in tropical and temperate seas with about 140 species. They are powerful swimmers and are encountered in schools. Most are closely associated with reefs and may patrol huge areas, i.e. several kilometers in search of food, such as octopus, squids, crustaceans, and other fishes [2].

The most abundant fish species belonged to Family Carangidae, i.e. Atule mate Cuvier (yellow-tailed scad/finlet scad). This fish species can be found in all the landing areas of the province anytime of the year in large quantities. This species, found throughout the region, inhabit coastal waters, forming large schools, distinguished by clear fleshy eyelid covering most of the eye except narrow slit in the center. It is implied that since this fish species is abundant, the status of the coral reefs in the province is still in their normal condition.

The least abundant fish species belonged to Family Serranidae, i.e. Plectropomus leopardus Lacepede (coral grouper/Leopard cod). This fish species was sold in the landing areas during the second quarter of the year from April to June (spring-summer time); and only in a small number. They inhabit coral reefs, distinguished by numerous small round spots on head and body, found in the Philippines and throughout South East Asia. They are called as group – groupers. They are the dominant element of the fish community on all coral reefs especially the larger species. They are important table fish at many localities and they play an important role in the reef’s food chain [2].

Although majority of the fishes sold in the landing areas are caught from the nearby coral reefs, pelagic seas, and municipal waters, other fishes are harvested from the fishponds of fish dealers/businessmen in the province, such as Chanos chanos (milkfish/bangus). The abundance of fishes in the landing areas was measured by approximating the total number of kilos, i.e. 1 kilo equals 1000 grams, and the kind of species that was present during the sampling period. Together with the interview, the fishermen and fish vendors approximate the number of fishes (by kilo) present on their tables. Each fish vendor/fisherman owns one table in the landing area, i.e. talipapa. The selling of fishes occur every day every seven to twelve o’clock in the morning, and one to six o’clock in the afternoon.

TABLE II ABUNDANCE OF MARINE FISHES BY FAMILY SOLD (APPROXIMATE IN KILOS)

IN THE LANDING AREAS BY QUARTER OF THE YEAR FAMILY Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 TOTAL

1. Caesionidae 3500 6500 5000 4000 19000 2. Carangidae 9000 18000 15000 10000 52000 3. Clupeidae 7000 15000 11000 8000 41000 4. Coryphaenidae 3000 5000 4500 3500 16000 5. Gerridae 2500 4500 4000 3000 14000 6. Hemiramphidae 2000 4000 3500 2500 12000 7. Labridae 1500 3500 3000 2000 10000 8. Leiognathidae 6000 13000 9000 7000 35000 9. Lethrinidae 4000 8000 6000 4000 22000 10. Lutjanidae 4000 10000 8000 5000 27000 11. Mullidae 1000 3000 2500 1500 8000 12. Nemipteridae 8000 17000 13000 9000 47000 13. Platycephalidae 900 2500 2000 1000 6400 14. Pinguipedidae 800 2500 2000 1000 6300 15. Pomacanthidae 700 2000 1500 800 5000 16. Pomacentridae 700 1500 1000 800 4000 17. Pseudochromidae 600 1000 900 700 3200 18. Scaridae 600 900 800 600 2900 19. Serranidae 105 105 20. Siganidae 400 600 600 400 2000 21. Scombridae 500 700 600 500 2300 22. Tetraodontidae 300 500 400 300 1500 23. Carcharinidae 100 300 300 200 900

TOTAL 57100 120105 94600 65800 337605 Q1 - first quarter of the year, i.e. January – March 2013 Q2 - second quarter of the year, i.e. April – June 2013 Q3 - third quarter of the year, i.e. July – September 2013 Q4 - fourth quarter of the year, i.e. October – December 2013

TABLE III

ABUNDANCE OF MARINE FISHES BY FAMILY SOLD (APPROXIMATE IN KILOS) IN THE LANDING AREAS BY COASTAL TOWN/LANDING AREA

FAMILY 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL 1. Caesionidae 4600 4400 2500 2800 2300 2400 19000 2. Carangidae 16000 12000 7000 5000 6000 6000 52000 3. Clupeidae 10000 10000 5000 6000 5000 5000 41000 4. Coryphaenidae 3500 2500 2500 2000 2500 3000 16000 5. Gerridae 2500 2700 1000 2500 3000 2300 14000 6. Hemiramphidae 3000 2000 1000 2000 2000 2000 12000 7. Labridae 2500 2500 1000 1000 1500 1500 10000 8. Leiognathidae 10000 10000 3000 3000 5000 4000 35000 9. Lethrinidae 5000 6000 2000 3000 3000 3000 22000 10. Lutjanidae 7000 7000 3000 4000 3000 3000 27000 11. Mullidae 1500 1500 500 500 2000 2000 8000 12. Nemipteridae 14000 13000 5000 5000 5000 5000 47000 13. Platycephalidae 1600 1200 700 600 1500 800 6400 14. Pinguipedidae 1300 1700 300 1000 1000 1000 6300 15. Pomacanthidae 1000 1000 500 500 1000 1000 5000 16. Pomacentridae 800 700 500 500 800 700 4000 17. Pseudochromidae 1000 700 200 300 500 500 3200 18. Scaridae 700 500 300 400 500 500 2900 19. Serranidae 105 105 20. Siganidae 500 500 100 200 400 300 2000 21. Scombridae 600 600 100 300 400 300 2300 22. Tetraodontidae 250 250 100 200 300 400 1500 23. Carcharinidae 200 200 100 200 100 100 900

TOTAL 87550 80950 36400 41105 46800 44800 337605 Coastal Towns and Landing Areas: Balicuatro Area: (1) Allen, (2) Lavezares Central Area: (3) Catarman, (4) Mondragon Pacific Area: (5) Pambujan, (6) Laoang



Fig. 2 Most abundant fish species in the landing areas Atule mate Cuvier (yellowtail scad/finlet scad)

Fig. 3 Least abundant fish species in the landing areas

Plectropomus leopardus Lacepede (coral grouper/Leopard cod)

C. Local Names of Marine Fishes Sold in the Landing Areas

The local names that were identified by the fishermen and fish vendors of the coastal areas and landing areas were mostly based on the families and/or genera of the marine fishes. Some names are patterned from the Tagalog versions, while others are from the Cebuano version, nor necessarily that of Samarnon names.

TABLE IV

LOCAL NAMES OF MARINE FISHES SOLD IN THE LANDING AREAS FISH SPECIES COMPOSITION

ENGLISH NAME LOCAL NAME

1. Caesionidae Caesio caerulaureus Lacepede

Blue and gold fusilier dalagang-bukid

Pterocaesio diagramma Bleeker

Black-tipped fusilier dalagang-bukid

Caesio erythrogaster Yellow-tailed fusilier dalagang-bukid Elegatis bipinnulata Rainbow runner salmon 2. Carangidae Atule mate Cuvier Yellowtail scad/finlet

scad matang-baka

Alepes vari Cuvier Herring scad Matang-baka Decapterus maruadsi Round scad galunggong Selaroides leptolepis Yellowstripe scad Salay-salay ginto Megalaspis cordyla Hard-tailed scad oriles Selar boops Ox-eyed scad Matang-baka Selar crumenophthalmus Big-eyed scad Matang-baka Gnathanodon speciosus Golden trevally talakitok 3. Clupeidae Sardinella lemuru Bali sardinella Tamban/tunsoy Sardinella fimbriata Fringescale sardinella Tamban/tunsoy Sardinella albella White sardinella Tamban/tunsoy Sardinella hualiensis Taiwan sardinella Tamban/tunsoy Amblygaster sirm Spotted sardinella Tamban/turay Escualosa thoracata White sardine bolinaw Herklotsichthys dispilonotus

Blacksaddle herring dilat

Herklotsichthys quadrimaculatus

Bluestripe herring dilat

Dussumieria acuta Rainbow sardine Tulis/alabaybay Sardinella longiceps Indian sardine Tamban/tunsoy Sardinella gibbosa Blecker Gold stripe sardinella Tamban/tunsoy Stolephorus indicus Indian anchovy Dilis/bolinaw 4. Coryphaenidae Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus

Dolphin fish lamadang

5. Gerridae Gerres macracanthus Blecker

Long spine silver biddy

lumuan

Gerres shima Iwatsuki, Kimura & Yeshimo

Banded silver biddy latab

Mugil cephalus Linnaeus Flat head mullet balanak 6. Hemiramphidae Hyporhampus quoyi Valenciennes

Quoy’s garfish balo

7. Labridae Cheilinus fasciatus Bloch Scarlet-breasted maori

wrasse Isda sa bato

Choerodon anchorago Bloch

Anchor tuskfish Isda sa bato

Coris batuensis Bleeker Variegated wrasse Isda sa bato Cirrhilabrus lyukyuensis Ishikawa

Ryukyu wrasse Isda sa bato

Halichoeres melanochir Fowler & Bean

Purple wrasse Isda sa bato

Oxycheilinus digramma Lacepede

Cheek-lined wrasse Isda sa bato

Stethojulis interrupta Bleeker

Isda sa bato

8. Leiognathidae Leiognathus equulus Forsskal

Common pony fish Sap-sap

Gazza minuta Bloch Toothed pony fish Sap-sap Eubleekeria jonesi James 9. Lethrinidae Lethrinus erythropterus Valenciennes

Longfin emperor Maya-maya

10. Lutjanidae Lutjanus decussatus Cuvier

Checkered snapper Maya-maya

Lutjanus lutjanus Bloch Yellow-lined snapper Maya-maya Lutjanus fulviflamma Forsskal

Maya-maya

Lutjanus sebae Red emperor Maya-maya Lutjanus russelli Russell’s snapper Maya-maya Lethrinus nebulosus Spangled emperor Katambak/bitilya 11. Mullidae Parupeneus barberinus Lacepede

Dash- dot goatfish Dorado

Parupeneus multifasciatus Quoy & Gaimard

Banded goatfish dorado

Parupeneus brbarinoides Bleeker

Parupeneus cyclostomus Gold-saddled goatfish dorado Coryphaena hippurus Dolphin fish dorado 12. Nemipteridae Pentapodus aureofasciatus Russell

Yellow-striped whiptail

Sagision/bisugo

Pentapodus trivittatus Bloch

Three-striped whiptail Sagision/bisugo

Chanos chanos milkfish bangus Scolopsis bilineata Bloch Scolopsis margaritifera Cuvier

Pearly monocle bream Sagision/bisugo

Nemipterus japonicus Ishikawa

Japanese threadfin bream

Sagision/bisugo

Scolopsis taeniopterus Lattice monocle bream

Silay/tagisang lawin

13. Platycephalidae Cypselurrus opisthopus Bleeker

Black-finned flying fish

iliw

Cymbacephalus nematophthalmus Fowler

Fringe-eyed flathead grubfish

Usu-os

Congresox talabon Yellow pike conger Obod/ogdok Trichiurus lepturus Largehead hirtail Balila/espada 14. Pinguipedidae Parapercis xanthozona Bleeker

Whitestripe sandperch balo

15. Pomacanthidae Pygoplites diacanthus Regal angelfish Isda sa bato



Boddaert Centropyge vroliki Bleeker Pearl-scaled angelfish Isda sa bato 16. Pomacentridae Abudefduf sexfasciatus Lacepede

Six-barred sergeant major

Isda sa bato

Abudefduf vaigiensis Quoy & Gaimard

Sergeant major Isda sa bato

Chromis weberi Fowler & BEan

Weber’s chromis Isda sa bato

Chrysiptera rollandi Whitley

Roland’s demoiselle Isda sa bato

17. Pseudochromidae Pseudochromis fuscus Muller & Troschel

Brown dottyback Isda sa bato

18. Scaridae Scarus hypselopterus Bleeker

East indies parrotfish Loro/molmol

Scarus niger Forsskal Swarthy parrotfish Scarus ghobban Blue-barred parrotfish Loro/molmol Scarus guacamaia Rainbow parrotfish Loro/molmol 19. Serranidae Plectropomus leopardus Lacepede

Coral grouper/ Leopard cod

Lapu-lapu

Cephalopholis cyanostigma Valenciennes

Blue-spotted grouper Lapu-lapu

Cephalopholis sonnerati Valenciennes

Tomato grouper Baraka

Epinephelus fuscoguttatus Forsskal

Brown-marbled grouper

Lapu-lapu

Cephalopholis miniatus Coral trout Lapu-lapung senora

Epinephelus fasciatus Black-tipped grouper Lapu-lapu/kulapo 20. Siganidae Siganus virgatus Valenciennes

Virgate rabbitfish danggit

Siganus argenteus Quoy & Gaimard

Forktail rabbitfish danggit

Siganus spinus Linnaeus danggit Siganus randalli Woodland danggit Siganus stellatus Forsskal danggit Siganus canaliculatus White-dotted

rabbitfish Danggit/samaral

21. Scombridae Scomberomorus commerson Lacepede

Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel

tangigi

Katsuwonus pelamis Linnaeus

skipjack Turingan/gulyasan

Thunnus albacares Linnaeus

Scomber australasicus Japanese mackerel Alumahan/mataan Auxis thazard Frigate mackerel tulingan Rastrelliger brachysoma Short-bodied mackerel Hasa-hasa Rastrelliger kanagurta Indian mackerel alumahan Euthynuus affinis Eastern little tuna Tulingan/katsorita Thunnus tonggol Longtail tuna barilis Thunnus albacares Yellowfin tuna tambakol Makaira indica Blue marlin Marlin/malasugi 22. Tetraodontidae Helates sexlineatus Quoy & Gaimard

rahildahil

Arothron nigropunctatus Bloch & Schneider

Black-spotted pufferfish

butete

Arothron hispidus White-spotted pufferfish

butete

23. Carcharinidae Carcarinus melanopterus Black-tipped shark pating Sphyrna lewini Hammerhead shark Pating/kurusan

D. Fishing Gears Used by Fishermen in Catching Fishes The fishing gears used by fishermen in catching the fishes

during the time of sampling were: simple hook & line (kawil), which was commonly used, multiple hand line (lagolo),

bottom set gill net (patitig), bottom set long line (kitang), spear with light (panulo/sarapang), spear gun (pana), crab/fish trap/pot (panggal), octopus/squid/fish jig (rambo), which was seldom used, beach seine (sagad), and round haul seine (lawagan).

TABLE V

FISHING GEARS USED BY FISHERMEN ENGLISH NAME LOCAL NAME 1 2 3 4 5 6

simple hook & line kawil a a a a a a multiple handline lagolo b b b b b b bottom set gill net patitig b b b b b b bottom set long line kitang b b b b b b spear with light panulo/sarapang b b b b b b spear gun pana b b b b b b crab/fish trap/pot panggal c c c c c c octopus/squid/fish jig rambo c c c c c c beach seine sagad b b b b b b round haul seine lawagan b b b b b b Coastal Towns and Landing Areas: Balicuatro Area: (1) Allen, (2) Lavezares Central Area: (3) Catarman, (4) Mondragon Pacific Area: (5) Pambujan, (6) Laoang

a – always/often used b – moderately/fairly used c – seldom/rarely used

1. Simple Hook and Line (kawil) The most traditional form of fishing gear is the simple

hook and line, which is basically made with one or two hooks. This kind of fishing gear is the most common since it can be used in both shallow and offshore waters. A basic hook and line is made of a hook suspended to an extended mainline averaging 100m in length, usually reeled to a homemade bamboo or wooden cylinder. It is the cheapest form of all the cited fishing gears.

2. Multiple Hand Line (lagolo) This type of handline uses multiple hooks suspended with

equal distance to a mainline. Artificial bait made of silk thread and bird feathers are used. The basic operation of the gear involves tugging the line in a regular up and down motion. The time of operation typically falls within dusk and dawn periods where a slight portion of the sun lights the sea surface. During these periods, the artificial bait is said to be the most attractive to pelagic fish. This fishing gear is used second to simple hook and line.

3. Bottom Set Gill Net (patitig) This type of fishing gear is specifically designed to catch

demersal fishes. It is generally constructed at 1-5m in depth. Built with at least 1-10 panels, the gear may be set at depths of 2-10m. Each panel is constructed with an average of 1m in length. The gear is normally employed in an overnight use to a maximum of 24 hours. It can also be operated an hour before the net is hauled and relocated to another area for its next use.

4. Bottom Set Long Line (kitang) This is a fishing line that uses at least 40–100 hooks

suspended along the length of a mainline primarily to catch



demersal fish species. This gear is usually setting the line from shallow to deep waters. A typical outfit is usually installed and kept in a box, and the hooks are placed individually in gaps along the frame of the box to case the laying of baits. In some fishing grounds, the fishermen cannot wait until hauling to avoid loss of gear due to theft.

5. Spear with Light (panulo) This is also another traditional fishing practice used by the

fishermen. The fishermen use a gas/petroleum/gas-fuelled lamp as a source of lighting and a spear to gather fishes. The spear is basically made of a wooden pole with sharp steel tips at one end. It is normally used in a shallow area to catch inactive fishes during night time.

6. Spear Gun (pana) The spear gun consists of a homemade wooden gun with a

rubber sling. The gear is singularly pointed usually with a suspended nylon rope long enough to keep the device retrievable. This gear is complemented with diving implements like makeshift goggles (silip) and flippers (panyapak) to assist the diver during the deep fishing pursuit.

7. Crab/Fish Trap/Pot (panggal)

A typical pot is made with a simple single apical non-returning valve which serves as the entrance of a crab/fish. The gear is often baited with frog/worm meat placed at mid-section usually contained in a receptacle to ensure that it is not consumed. The gear is usually set at 6-10m intervals in depths of 5-20m. Gear soaking usually takes overnight.

8. Octopus/Squid/Fish Jig (rambo) This gear is designed specifically to attract and catch

octopus/squid/fish. The gear is made of lead which is shaped into a fish, with added appendages on the sides, purposely to entangle an octopus/fish squid. It is made with or without hooks which help catch the prey.

9. Beach Seine (sagad) Beach seine is a large fishing net made to hang vertically

in the water by weights at the lower edge and floats at the top with an average of 100m stretch panel of netting. At the center, a conical end is fitted to a length of 10m, usually bearing fine-meshed netting. The operation of the gear is traditionally done on desired sandy beaches operating with a maximum of three hauls. Eight to twelve persons may be involved in an operation. In some areas, beach seine is a set and hauled offshore, employing a non-motorized banca as a platform, while a motorized boat maneuvers and guides the non-motorized vessel to the desired offshore area.

10. Round Haul Seine (lawagan) This practice of using round haul seine as a fishing gear is

used by a group of fishermen in a coastal area. The gear generally consists of a conical lift net with 5-7m in length. A fine-meshed net is usually adopted for the gear, which catches

primarily small varieties of fishes like anchovies, scads, etc. The net is suspended with rope support at each side leading to the vessel. Operation of the gear involves a large mechanized boat. The group of fishermen is headed by a master fisher (manulong) and the mechanic (makinista). Each vessel (lawagan) is complemented with a regular 10-12 crew men (bugador). The vessel has big lights that require 2-3 hours for accumulating a school of fish before the harvest (pagkalat) is initiated.

V. CONCLUSIONS There were 102 species of marine fishes found in selected

landing areas of Northern Samar, Philippines. They belonged to 66 genera; 23 families; 3 sub-orders; 2 orders; 2 sub-classes; and 2 classes.

The most abundant species of marine fish sold in the landing areas during the time of sampling belonged to Family Carangidae, i.e. Atule mate Cuvier (yellow-tailed scad/finlet scad). They were present in all the landing areas anytime of the year in large numbers, while the least abundant fish species belonged to Family Serranidae, i.e. Plectropomus leopardus Lacepede (coral grouper/leopard cod), which can be found only in selected landing areas during the second quarter of the year (i.e. April–June) in small numbers.

The local names that were identified by the older residents, fishermen, and fish vendors of the coastal areas were mostly based on the families of the marine fishes.

The fishing gears used by fishermen in catching the fishes during the time of sampling were: simple hook & line (kawil), which was commonly used, multiple hand line (lagolo), bottom set gill net (patitig), bottom set long line (kitang), spear with light (panulo/sarapang), spear gun (pana), .crab/fish trap/pot (panggal), octopus/squid/fish jig (rambo), which was seldom used, beach seine (sagad), and round haul seine (lawagan).

VI. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Further studies about fish abundance and diversity

especially in the 5 island towns of the province. 2. Freshwater fishes should also be included since there are

many large rivers in the province. 3. Enforce implementation of laws and orders especially for

the marine resources in the province. 4. Municipal and provincial governments should find

alternative sources of livelihood, as sources of income, for the fishermen, therefore lesser dependence of the sea.

5. Conservation and preservation measures of marine resources be adopted by the Local Government Units.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors would like to thank the following: Atty. Mar

P. de Asis, Ph.D., President, University of Eastern Philippines; Dr. Pio P. Tuan, Research Director, UEP; Dr. Tito M. Cabili, Dean, College of Education, UEP; Dr. Karina Milagros R. Cui, Dean, College of Science, UEP; Mr. Felipe



A. Balleta, Director, LAEF-BFAR, Lavezares, Northern Samar; Mr. Ranulfo A. Arbiol, former PGENRO, Northern Samar; Ms. Angeleth Louise M. Galenzoga; and the BS in Marine Biology–4 Students.

REFERENCES [1] K. F. Lagler, J. E. Bardach, and R. R. Miller, Ichthyology. MI: Mc-Graw

Hill, 1962. [2] G. R. Allen and M. V. Erdmann, Reef Fishes of El Nido, Palawan.

Philippines: Primex Printers Inc., El Nido Foundation Inc., 2009. [3] Philippine Biodiversity: An Assessment and Plan of Action. Makati

City, Philippines: Bookmark Inc., UNEP-DENR, 1997. [4] B. Bowen, Diversity of Fishes: Biology, Evaluation, Ecology. USA:

Wiley Blackwell Inc., 2009. [5] H. Maserda, et. al., Fishes of South East Asia. Tokyo, Japan: Tokai

University Press, 1987. [6] J. W. Nybakken and M. D. Bertness, Marine Biology: An Ecological

Approach, 6th Edition. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education Inc., 2005.

[7] PSU Research and Development Journal. Camarines Sur, Philippines: Partido State University, 2011.

[8] CSU Research and Development Journal. Catanduanes, Philippines: Catanduanes State University, 2013.

[9] T. Storer, et. al. General Zoology, 6th Edition. USA: McGraw-Hill, 2007.

[10] CRM Journal, BFAR-DENR, Northern Samar, 2012. [11] Charts and hand-outs, LAEF – BFAR, Northern Samar, 2010. [12] Charts and hand-outs, BFAR-DENR, Region IV and VIII, 2011.



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