Status of the Eel Industry Along the Abra River

Abstract

This study assessed the status ofthe eel industry along the upper and lower Abra River. Specifically, it determined the socio demographic and socio-economic characteristics and marketing practices of the fishermen respondents; status of the eel industry in terms of seasonality, average catch per fishing effort, and type of substrate; and the problems encountered in eel fishing. The descriptive method of research was used with the questionnaire checklist as the main tool in data gathering, supplemented with personal interviews. The study was conducted from April to December 2003. Proportional random sampling was used to determine the mumber of respondents. A total of 256 fishermen representing I3 municipalities served as the respondents.