Food security analysis of the cephalopod fishery on the island of Malalison, Philippines

Abstract

Cephalopods contribute to the food security of coastal communities in the Philippines. Despite their importance, the role of cephalopods in local food security remains relatively underexplored, posing challenges for effective coastal resource management. This study applies a modified food security framework (FAO 2006) to analyze the four dimensions of food security—availability, access, utilization, and stability—in the cephalopod fishery of Malalison Island, Philippines. The island's local management system includes a Territorial Use Rights for Fisheries scheme integrated with a Marine Protected Area, operating under a community-based management. Data was collected in 36 semi-structured interviews and during a focus group discussion with ten fishers featuring a participatory mapping activity. Findings reveal that while cephalopods remain a stable food source, cephalopods are perceived by fishers to be threatened by climate change, unsustainable fishing practices, illegal activities, as well as resource and physical constraints among fishers. To ensure cephalopods as a source of food security, future research and coastal management efforts should prioritize biological surveys and catch landing data collection, together with enhanced enforcement and community engagement.