The fisherfolk are among the poorest of the poor in developing countries like the Philippines. Their incomes almost exclusively depend on the fishery resources adjacent to their village. Such is the case of the Malalison fisherfolk. In order to improve the social and economic conditions of a poor fishing community, developmental projects like CFRM must examine the causes of such poverty. During the past three years of immersion in the community, the CFRM research team built a causal model of poverty in Malalison (Fig. 2). A causal model is a simplified representation of reality; it is a communication tool for use in identifying the causes and mechanisms of a problem under consideration (Eusebio et al. 1991). Such models are often sitespecific and may be changed or improved during the course of a project. The causal model of poverty in Malalison has been discussed in several meetings and workshops in and outside Malalison and SEAFDEC AQD in order to reach a consensus.

Agbayani, R. F. (1998, April 4 - 5). Community fishery resources mng't in Malalison, Antique: (Last of two parts). Daily Informer, pp. B4, B2.