Beyond the Catch: Financial Security, Youth Engagement and Gender Roles Adapting to Environmental and Market Shifts in a Small Fishing Community in Bolinao

Abstract (English)

In the diverse coastal town of Bolinao, Pangasinan, particularly in Barangay Luciente 1st, the waves of life flow depend on both environmental changes and economic dynamics, particularly market demands. This study explores key themes such as the role of technology in fishing, including equipment, gear, bait, financial security, youth engagement, and gender roles, which tend to connect and intersect in small fishing communities, particularly in Sitio Pepenen, as they adapt to adversity. Through a qualitative approach that draws from in-depth interviews, key informant data, and participant observation, this research explores how families shape their perspective on financial resilience amid unstable fish stocks and fluctuating market prices. Central to the study is an in-depth understanding of financial resilience, as it focuses mostly on diversified sources of income while maintaining hook-and-line fishing as their main source of income. Additionally, the findings of this study revealed that the livelihood of hook-and-line fisherfolk is deeply influenced by both environmental and economic factors, creating an intersection with how they interact with the environment they belong to while adapting to its constant change. This also examines the effective role of the youth as a vital force in preserving and continuing a livelihood in hook-and-line fishing that is passed from one generation to another. Furthermore, this study highlights the significant role of evolving gender norms, reshaped through adaptation, emphasizing the reconstructed agency of women in the economic and leadership aspects of the community. Ultimately, this study provides the unique perspective of women as part of newly constructed ideals towards the sitio, as this shift not only challenges the traditional gender norms embedded in the community but also is another step towards inclusivity and equality. In essence, this research emphasizes the necessity of adaptive strategies, offering valuable insights into sustainable practices that honor cultural heritage and preserve it while adapting to the environment in which they belong. It reveals how balancing tradition with innovation can offer a new perspective on life for coastal communities, offering an evolved path to their way of life.