LEA 424: FORESTRY AND FISHERY LAW (PD 705 & RA 8550)

I. Module Title: Chapter 2 Introduction to Fisheries

II. Introduction
Fisheries refer to the industry and practice of harvesting fish and other
aquatic organisms from natural or artificial water bodies for commercial,
recreational, and subsistence purposes. They play a crucial role in global
food security, livelihoods, and the economy.
Fisheries can be broadly classified into:
1. Capture Fisheries – The harvesting of fish from natural water
bodies such as oceans, rivers, and lakes.
2. Aquaculture – The cultivation of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic
organisms in controlled environments like ponds, tanks, or cages.
Fisheries contribute to employment, trade, and nutrition, but they also face
challenges like overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change.
Sustainable management practices, such as quotas, marine protected
areas, and responsible aquaculture, are essential to maintaining fish
stocks and ecosystems for future generations.
III. Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the students shall be able to:
1. Understand the Basic Concepts of Fisheries
2. Define fisheries and their significance in food security, economy, and
biodiversity.
3. Describe the Types and Classifications of Fisheries
4. Identify marine, freshwater, and brackish water fisheries.

IV. Learning Topic

Topic I: Four Major Areas or sub sectors in Fisheries

1. Aquaculture - is the controlled cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish,

shellfish, crustaceans, and aquatic plants in freshwater, brackish water, or
marine environments. It involves breeding, rearing, and harvesting under
regulated conditions to enhance production for food, trade, and conservation
purposes.
 Aquaculture in the Philippines has a long history and involves many species
and farming practices in diverse ecosystems.
 Most of the production comes from the farming of seaweed, milkfish, tilapia,
shrimp, carp, oyster and mussel. Aquaculture contributes significantly to the
country's food security, employment and foreign exchange earnings.
LEA 424: FORESTRY AND FISHERY LAW (PD 705 & RA 8550)
LEA 424: FORESTRY AND FISHERY LAW (PD 705 & RA 8550)

2. Capture Fisheries - refer to the harvesting of naturally occurring aquatic

organisms from oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes without artificial stocking
or breeding. It involves the use of various fishing methods, such as nets,
traps, and lines, to catch fish and other marine species. Capture fisheries
can be classified into marine fisheries (ocean-based) and inland
fisheries (freshwater-based).
 Marine Fisheries - refer to the harvesting of fish and other
aquatic organisms from saltwater environments, including
oceans, seas, and coastal areas. These fisheries are a major
source of seafood worldwide and can be classified into:

Commercial Fisheries – Large-scale fishing operations

that supply seafood for global markets.
Artisanal/Small-Scale Fisheries – Traditional fishing
practices, often using simple gear, that support local
communities.
Recreational Fisheries – Fishing done for sport or
leisure rather than commercial purposes.
 Inland Fisheries - refer to the harvesting of fish and other
aquatic organisms from freshwater environments such as rivers,
lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and wetlands. These fisheries can be
either capture-based (wild fish stock) or culture-based
(enhanced by aquaculture practices).

3. Post-harvest Fisheries - refer to all activities that take place after fish and
other aquatic organisms are caught or harvested. This includes handling,
processing, preservation, transportation, marketing, and distribution of fish
products to consumers.

Key Aspects of Post-Harvest Fisheries

1. Handling & Processing – Cleaning, gutting, filleting, and preserving
fish through methods like drying, smoking, freezing, and canning.
2. Storage & Transportation – Use of cold storage, ice, and proper
packaging to maintain fish quality.
3. Marketing & Distribution – Selling fish products in local and
international markets.
4. Quality Control & Food Safety – Ensuring fish products meet hygiene
and safety standards.
5. Waste Management & Byproduct Utilization – Reducing waste and
using fish byproducts for animal feed, fish oil, and fertilizers.
LEA 424: FORESTRY AND FISHERY LAW (PD 705 & RA 8550)

4. Aquatic Resources and Ecology - refer to all living and non-living

components found in freshwater, brackish, and marine ecosystems that
support life and human activities. These include:

Living Resources – Fish, shellfish, aquatic plants, plankton, and other

organisms.
Non-Living Resources – Water, minerals, sediments, and energy
sources like tidal and wave energy.

Aquatic Ecology - is the study of interactions between organisms and

their environment in water ecosystems. It focuses on:

Freshwater Ecology – Rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands.

Marine Ecology – Oceans, seas, estuaries, and coral reefs.
Brackish Water Ecology – Transitional areas like mangroves and
lagoons.

Topic II: Fisheries Resources

Fisheries resources refer to all aquatic organisms that are harvested for food,
economic, and recreational purposes. These resources include both living and
non-living components that support fisheries industries worldwide.

Types of Fisheries Resources

1. Living Resources (Biotic)
 Finfish – Marine (e.g., tuna, salmon) and freshwater (e.g., tilapia,
catfish).
 Shellfish – Crustaceans (e.g., shrimp, crabs) and mollusks (e.g., clams,
oysters).
 Aquatic Plants – Seaweeds, algae, and mangroves used for food,
medicine, and industry.
2. Non-Living Resources (Abiotic)
 Water bodies – Oceans, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that provide
habitats.
 Nutrients & Minerals – Essential for sustaining aquatic life and fisheries
productivity.
LEA 424: FORESTRY AND FISHERY LAW (PD 705 & RA 8550)

Topic III: The aquatic environment and different culture systems

The Aquatic Environment
The aquatic environment includes all water-based ecosystems where aquatic
organisms live, grow, and reproduce. It is classified into:
1. Freshwater Environment – Rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs with low
salinity.
LEA 424: FORESTRY AND FISHERY LAW (PD 705 & RA 8550)

2. Marine Environment – Oceans and seas with high salinity.

3. Brackish Water Environment – Coastal areas, estuaries, and mangroves with
mixed salinity.
These environments provide essential resources for fisheries and aquaculture,
influencing water quality, temperature, oxygen levels, and ecosystem productivity.

Different Culture Systems in Aquaculture

Aquaculture involves the farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants under
controlled conditions. Various culture systems are used depending on species,
location, and management practices:
1. Based on Water Salinity:
o Freshwater Culture – Raising fish in ponds, tanks, or cages in rivers
and lakes (e.g., tilapia, catfish).
o Brackish Water Culture – Farming species adapted to mixed salinity,
such as shrimp and milkfish.
o Marine Culture – Open-sea or coastal aquaculture for species like
salmon, sea bass, and seaweed.
2. Based on Culture Methods:
o Extensive System – Low-input farming in natural water bodies with
minimal feeding and maintenance.
o Semi-Intensive System – Moderate stocking densities with some
feeding and water management.
o Intensive System – High stocking densities with controlled feeding,
aeration, and water quality monitoring.

EXTENSIVE
LEA 424: FORESTRY AND FISHERY LAW (PD 705 & RA 8550)

3. Based on Structure Type:

o Pond Culture – Earthen or concrete ponds for controlled fish farming.
o Cage & Pen Culture – Enclosures placed in lakes, rivers, or coastal
areas.
o Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) – A highly controlled system
where water is continuously filtered and reused.
o Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) – Farming multiple species
together to maximize resource use (e.g., fish, shellfish, and seaweed).

Pond Culture
LEA 424: FORESTRY AND FISHERY LAW (PD 705 & RA 8550)

Fish Pen Fish Cage

Recirculating Aquaculture System

LEA 424: FORESTRY AND FISHERY LAW (PD 705 & RA 8550)

Integrated Multitrophic System

V. Assessment task

1. Research and identify the 4 culture systems based on structure type.

Then, give 3 fish species that can be cultured with that culture system.

2. What are the differences between the 3 culture methods?

3. What are the differences between the 3 culture systems based on

water salinity and give their respective salinity range.

Questions on the Four Major Areas in Fisheries

Aquaculture:
1. What is aquaculture, and how does it differ from capture fisheries?
2. Name two species commonly farmed in aquaculture and describe their
ideal growing conditions.
Capture Fisheries:
1. What is the difference between marine and inland capture fisheries?
2. Identify three common fishing methods used in capture fisheries.

Post-harvest Fisheries:
1. What happens to fish after they are harvested? Name three common post-
harvest processes.

Aquatic Resources and Ecology:

1. What are aquatic resources? Provide examples of living and non-living
aquatic resources.
2. How do humans depend on aquatic resources for food, economy, and
recreation?