E
Lampitao (fishing boat) owner/operator
F
Comprador on a commission basis
G
H
I
Regular employee/ staff of fish trader for 10
years
Motorized boat owner, wife of a fisherman
Fish cage owner married to a barangay
chairman
J
Comprador married to a payloader operator
K
Fish dealer/comprador
L
Widow, leader of Claveria Fish Vendors
Association
National Awardee for front-lining Claveria’s
M
entry to the, (MMK), an annual search for
coastal community which won 3rd place
N
O
A fish trader at Claveria Fisherfolks Landing
cooperative, married to an ex- OFW
Comprador and wife of a fisherfolk
Context and Rationale
Before women empowerment became a catchphrase, fishing is known as an occupation
dominated by men. Studies present this traditional image of men exclusively going to sea in
their fishing boats. In most cases, women in fishing communities are not allowed to go with the
fishing vessels. This prohibition is tied mostly to the need for them to remain within the
premises of the household so they can attend to their designated wifely duties and child-rearing
responsibilities. In addition, fishing is a “muscles and brawn” industry. Due to these, women
fisherfolks have zero or little direct involvement in fishing or “agkalap dyay taaw” as the locals
would call it.
However, there are some who are involved in shell and fry gathering/gleaning, traps and
fish baskets, all of which tend to be near-shore activities. There are many who are involved in
post-catch activities such as “agdaklis” or beach seine fishing done by pulling the fishnets full of
catch on the shore. These activities either contribute to household income or provide direct food
for the table. Sadly, their contribution to the household upkeep is trivialized.
It must be noted however, that fishing as an occupation is more than just fish production
or sailing into the seas and casting the fishnets and other gears. With the paradigm shift and the
need to augment income, women have upgraded their pre-conceived role and made their
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