Social work specialists are very effective in the programs having to do with the protection of the environment and marine biodiversity through the establishment of No-take Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
This is because of the nature of their education and training as specialists in developmental programs requiring the involvement and participation of human communities.
Social workers recognize the need for changes in human attitudes and frames of mind to adapt to new and innovative ways of dealing with the changing environment.
The establishment of No-take MPAs in the sea, which in the past was open to all for fishing, is an example of an activity that runs counter to the common understanding of people.
It is the responsibility of social workers to change the old mode of thinking through what is termed as community organizing, a social process of effecting changes in the beliefs and thinking of people to accept new ways of doing things in response to the new realities.
These new realities in the case of MPAs are rapidly diminishing fishery resources in our seas, the increasing number of people dependent on these resources, and the occurrence of calamities due to climate changes that tend to destroy these resources.
The consequence of the joint collaboration of biologists and social workers in the late 1970s-1980s was the empowerment of local communities and local government units, both of which managed their coral reef resources without much support from national agencies.
The two No-take MPAs established earliest in our program were so successful they have become models of biodiversity conservation throughout the world.
Several other No-take MPAs were established along the same lines in other areas of the Bohol Sea.
At present, some marine biologists in the country talk, write, and behave as if they can, by themselves, successfully establish large No-take MPAs in our seas.
They cannot. They do not realize the important role of local communities and local organizations described above.
Some of our national leaders also have queer ideas on how to increase fish biomass in our coastal waters. Some spend large amounts of money in building untested artificial structures to attract fish. The effects of these structures should be evaluated by competent authority.
In summary, let’s establish a mixture of large and small No-take MPAs throughout the country but involve both biologists and social workers in the process with the cooperation of and association with local communities and local government units. These should ensure sustainable fisheries in the future.
_______________________________
Author’s email: suakcrem@yahoo.com
