Abstract:
Mataw, the traditional capture of seasonal dorado and
flying fish by hook and line fishers in Batanes, and the
traditional organization as cooperative groups making use of
special accessways to the sea called vanua, are described. An
important subsistence activity among communities on the
eastern side of Baran Island, mataw fishing is framed by an
indigenous world view and belief system. These organize the
fishers to perform rituals of "cleaning" for the vanua, observe
taboos, and enforce laws to control or regulate marine resource
use and access. How mataw fishers may confront the
challenges of the changing present is also briefly illustrated
with the case of a multi-gear fishery in one vanua.
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