Institutional context and methods of knowledge mobilization: The case of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) – Certified fishery of Lagonoy Gulf, Bicol Region, Philippines

Abstract

Knowledge mobilization is a key issue in fisheries governance and an instrument to leverage effective governance. There exists a significant research gap about how a certified fishery supports knowledge mobilization in the Philippines. To answer this gap, this study was tailored to investigate the relevance of knowledge mobilization in the context of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified fishery based in Lagonoy Gulf, Philippines. Specifically, this study was carried out to: analyze the institutional context of MSC-certified fishery based in Lagonoy Gulf; examine the level of awareness of small-scale fishers with respect to MSC certification program; determine whether the MSC certification program has facilitated the taking of adaptation pathways among small-scale fishers; and identify the most preferred method of knowledge mobilization among small-scale fishers. Data were collected through key-informant interviews, subject interviews, focus-group discussions and participant observation. Interview transcripts were uploaded to NVivo platform for data collation and were inputted to the Voyant tools for discourse analysis. Results of this study revealed that fisheries governance in Lagonoy Gulf is immersed in fragmented collaborative governance where hierarchical, market-based and participatory governance modes converge. Majority of small-scale fishers of Lagonoy Gulf were unfamiliar about MSC certification as a market-based program. MSC fisheries certification missed the opportunity to facilitate the fishers to take on adaptation pathways to deal with climate change and other stressors. To promote knowledge mobilization, ‘incentivized community meetings and seminars’ were identified as effective motivators. The limited understanding of fishers regarding MSC certification highlights a failure in knowledge mobilization.