Philippine Journal of Science
153 (1): 61-73, February 2024
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 06 Sep 2022
Coastal Tourism and Fisheries Nexus: Comparing Sustainability of Small Islands with Varying Degrees of Tourism Development as Perceived by Fishers and Tourists
Cherry Pilapil-Añasco1*, Harold M. Monteclaro2, Joy C. Lizada3, Liah C. Catedrilla1, Carlos C. Baylon1, and Raul G. Bradecina4
1Institute of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo 5023 Philippines 2Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo 2053 Philippines 3College of Management, University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo City 5000 Philippines 4Partido State University, Goa, Camarines Sur 4422 Philippines
*Corresponding author: cpanasco@up.edu.ph
Pilapil-Añasco et al. 2024. Coastal Tourism and Fisheries Nexus: Comparing Sustainability of Small Islands with Varying Degrees of Tourism Development as Perceived by Fishers and Tourists. Philipp J Sci 153(1): 61–73. https://doi.org/10.56899/153.01.06
ABSTRACT
Tourism in small islands is usually prioritized over fishing on the assumption that marginal fishers will eventually benefit from the multiplier effects of tourism activities. This leads to the difficult coastal tourism and fisheries nexus (CTF) conundrum, however, since the natural balance in small islands has been disturbed. Thus, to compare how locals and visitors perceived sustainability in small islands with the entry of tourism activities, Delphi surveys of 395 fishers and 113 tourists were conducted in Boracay, Gigantes, and Guimaras islands, Philippines. The indicators used were based on the UN sustainability framework and measured through a five-point Likert scale. Sustainability status was determined using the IUCN sustainability barometer, whereas sustainability ratings were compared (α = 0.05) for respondents and study sites using standardized Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis H-tests, respectively, with Games-Howell multiple comparison tests as post hoc. Results show that, overall, the three small islands are in potentially sustainable status (i.e. acceptable performance). In specific terms, both ecological and institutional dimensions are also in potentially sustainable status, whereas the socio-economic dimension has a sustainable status (i.e. desirable performance). Gigantes, however, has a significantly lower sustainability score (p < 0.05) compared to Boracay and Guimaras, which were not significantly different. Interestingly, tourists rated all small islands as sustainable with a perception rating significantly higher (p < 0.05) than fishers who perceived that their islands have only a potentially sustainable status. These findings suggest the difference in how fishers and tourists may look at programs and initiatives with long-term viability, and this needs to be addressed to attain a better and stable CTF so it can