Philippine fisherfolk: Sustainable community development action research and reflexive education

ABSTRACT A bioregional participatory study is presented in response to the global need for new mechanisms and methodologies to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for small-scale fisheries (SSF). Herein, a dispersed Philippine fisherfolk community defined by fish-stocks is engaged to elucidate consensus that can support participatory educational programming. A Cultural Consensus Model is characterized within transdisciplinary Participatory Action Research and Learning on sustainable fisheries and poverty mitigation. The bioregional fisherfolk epistemology on Coastal Resource Management as outlined supports food security. Results present an example for national and international applications using social artistry for curriculum development through a government and non-government organization partnership. Recognizing traditional fisherfolk artisanal epistemologies within professional and paraprofessional Ecohealth certification can support mitigation of chronic poverty and promote sustainability through an ecocentric-anthropocentric balance. This Philippine meta-level change mechanism for SSF could also contribute directly to the need for Indigenous and other local input on governing the global-ocean commons.