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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