Taytay Assessment to Strengthen Coastal Resource Management in the Philippines
In late September, government agencies from local to national, local communities and conservation partners conducted a Participatory Coastal Resource Assessment (PCRA) in Taytay, Palawan, to strengthen the evidence base for coastal resource management and sustainable fisheries in the Philippine Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape. Conducted under the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) framework, the assessment supports the development of a Coastal Resource Management Plan for Taytay.
The assessment combined community discussions, resource mapping and field surveys to document coastal habitats, fishing practices, resource use and pressures on marine ecosystems. Activities covered mangroves and seagrass habitat assessment, coastal integrity transect walk, alongside discussions on seasonal changes in fisheries, resource-use conflicts and community-identified management priorities. The process also sought to capture the different knowledge, needs and vulnerabilities of women, men and young people.
Led by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the activity was also joined with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff – Coral Reef Rescue (CRR) Project, local government unit (LGU) of Taytay, Palawan, WWF, and local stakeholders, with support from GIZ Philippines.
Connecting local evidence with regional priorities: Taytay is part of the Philippine Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape, where healthy coastal ecosystems support marine biodiversity, food security and community livelihoods. Managing these resources sustainably requires approaches that reflect local realities while contributing to broader conservation and fisheries objectives.
The PCRA brings community knowledge together with scientific and technical expertise to inform local planning. Its intended outputs include a community-validated Coastal Environment Profile, coastal resource maps, and prioritized management of issues and goals.
