1. BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND PARTICIPATION

Iloilo, Philippines, 18-21 March 2002

In the two previous workshops held for the interregional project Strengthening of Research and Training in Population and Development Dynamics in Rural Fishing Communities (FPA/INT/695/FPA), recommendations were put forward for the integration and consideration of population-related issues in fisheries planning and management.^[18] Among others, the inclusion of demographic components in integrated coastal area management and the strengthening of the collection, analysis and dissemination of demographic and socio-economic data and information on fishing communities were endorsed.

As a follow-up action, this workshop was held in recognition of the need to have a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of specific social and demographic factors in fisheries planning and management. The main purpose of this workshop was to devise mechanisms for the regular and cost effective extraction and analysis of demographic data on coastal fisherfolk in Southeast and South Asia, and for their use in fisheries development and management.

Experts from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV), University of San Carlos (USC), Bicol University (BU), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Population Commission (POPCOM), local government units and other agencies involved in the development and management of coastal resources of the Philippines attended the workshop.

Other participants included experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), resource persons from other Southeast and South Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Sri Lanka, and observers from international multilateral and bilateral development agencies. The complete list of participants is given in Annex 2.