Marine and Coastal Resources and Community-Based Property Rights: A Philippine Workshop

June 2001

In collaboration with Tanggol Kalikasan, Tambuyog Development Center, and the CBCRM Resource Center, CIEL co-hosted a workshop from June 12-15, 2001 in Batangas, Philippines to promote the development of public interest law and legal expertise on issues of concern to local communities dependent on marine and coastal resources. The workshop explored the applicability of tenure concepts developed with terrestrial resources in mind, and considered alternative concepts and policies that would be supportive of fair and appropriate legal incentives for conservation and sustainable livelihood development. Special attention was given to the potential role of community-based marine and coastal tenure instruments.

Over fifty participants attended, including representatives of local peoples' fishing organizations, academicians, NGOs, and public interest law groups. CIEL also arranged for two South Asians and two Indonesians to participate. Workshop proceedings are expected to be published later in 2003.