Poor children often said that they are socialized to view their income from work should support the family. This has served as the premise for this case study which examines the roles played by children in the local fishing industry, their life history and family background, their perception about their work, and how it affects them. A total of 25 fishing households and 16 fishing children identified by cluster sampling are involved in the study. Data were generated through household surveys and indepth interviews with adult and child key informants of fishing villages of Basay, Negros Oriental, Philippines. It was observed that commercial and subsistence fishing activities are not only structured as the expertise of adults but also of children who are compelled to be involved due to deteriorating household economic conditions. They may have served in the augmentation of household income but this has also drawn them out from school because they are already tired to study. Children are exposed to fishing at an early age (average 13 years old) because their parents bring them along in fishing until they learned the trade and joined other fishers when they finally lost interest in school. Moreover, their involvement in fishing has exposed them to all types of dangers and risks because of the harsh sea environment but poverty give them no options. The study argues that acceptingthe reality that they have to work because of poverty will only continue the cycle. Unfortunately, the local government unit and the private sectors, at the time of the study, have not yet developed intervening programs that have specific focus and direction to assist these children. They must be given the opportunity particularly by the school to earn at the same time to learn skills that will draw them out from fishing and reduce the pressure on the marine environment.
