The Impact of COVID-19 on Livelihoods and Resource Use in the Case of Whale Shark Tourism in Oslob, Cebu, Philippines

Abstract

Through an analysis of interviews with Tan-awan Oslob Sea Wardens and Fishermen’s Association (TOSWFA) members, government and elected officials, and community members, this analysis aims to identify the connection between a pandemic-related drop in whale shark tourism and changes in livelihoods, fishing effort, destructive fishing, and protection of whale sharks and marine reserves in Oslob. An analysis of semi-structured interviews with 29 respondents in 2021 suggests that the pandemic has had a significantly negative economic impact on Barangay Tan-awan and surrounding communities. Many fishers reverted back to fishing and construction in the absence of tourism. Welfare of community members also decreased, with higher levels of food insecurity and debt. While the financial impacts were significant, with a decrease in whale shark tourism ticket sales of 79% from 2019 to 2020, and the majority of respondents indicating a decrease in personal income, the perceived impacts on the environment were not as clear. Many respondents perceived that local fishing effort had increased with more fishers than pre-pandemic, but they indicated that the levels of marine resource protection were adequate. Despite this, the majority of respondents expressed a desire for more environmental protections, underscoring a possible connection between well managed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and additional socio-economic benefits.