3WSFC: A time for transformation

The voices of small-scale fishers and civil society organizations were loud and clear at the 3rd World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress. By all accounts, the past ten years have been truly exceptional for small-scale fisheries. One of the highlights is the adoption of the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) by FAO member states in 2014. As the first international instrument specifically designed for small-scale fisheries, the SSF Guidelines give the much-needed visibility to this important sector, calling all parties to promote small-scale fisheries sustainability through a human-rights based approach. The SSF Guidelines set off waves of excitement and optimism about the new era for small-scale fisheries

Coastal Fisheries of South America and the Caribbean

The importance of fisheries for coastal communities and livelihoods in South America-Latin America; and the Caribbean (LAC) is well documented. This is particularly the case for 'coastal fisheries', including subsistence, traditional (artisanal) and advanced artisanal (or semi-industrial) varieties. There are, however, major gaps in knowledge about these fisheries, and major challenges in their assessment and management. Therein lies the key theme of this document, which seeks to contribute to a better understanding of coastal fisheries in the LAC region, as well as to generate discussion about ways to move towards sustainable fisheries. The document includes three main components. First, an introductory chapter provides an overview of general trends in the fisheries of the LAC countries, as well as some of the key challenges they are facing in terms of sustainability. Second, a set of twelve chapters each reporting on the coastal fisheries of one country in South America-Latin America; and the North America (Caribbean); collectively covering fisheries of each main subregion: the Caribbean islands (North America (Caribbean)-North America (Caribbean)-Barbados; Cuba, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago), North and Central America (North America (Central America)-Costa Rica; Mexico) and South America (Argentina, South America (Northeastern)-Brazil; South America (Northwestern)-South America (Northwestern)-Colombia; Uruguay). All these country-specific chapters follow an integrated approach, to the extent possible, covering aspects ranging from the biological to the socio-economic. Third, the final component of the document contains a synthesis of information from the countries examined, an analysis of the main issues and challenges faced by the various fisheries, an outline of policy directions to improve fisheries management systems in the LAC region, identification of routes toward more integrated approaches for coastal fisheries management, and recommendations for 'ways forward' in dealing with fishery assessment and governance issues in the region

Impacts of CETA on Sustainability of Northern Tip Coastal Communities

The main objective of this research project was to contextualize the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement (CETA) for the fisheries of the Great Northern Peninsula (GNP), Newfoundland and Labrador. This research was first discussed in a regional engagement session in December 2017 in St. Anthony where it received final approval from community partners (Harris Centre, 2017). Assessing the impact of CETA on the coastal communities and fisheries of the GNP was accomplished through a two-pronged approach. First, an institutional assessment, informed by a governance perspective analyzed CETA as an institution in the governing system of the region, looking at the extent of compatibility between the agreement and current fisheries management policies. Second, fieldwork was completed in the GNP to capture initial responses to the agreement. There were two main findings of this research. First, it was found through an institutional assessment that CETA impacts the governing system of the region through its principle of ‘national treatment’ which enables market access. Although CETA increases access to one of the largest seafood import markets globally by reducing tariffs on key seafood products (i.e., Northern shrimp, snow crab, Northern cod), the ‘national treatment’ principle contributes to the phase out of a domestic fisheries policy, the provincial minimum processing requirement (MPR). This phase-out has been pointed to as a potential threat to coastal communities (Sabau & Boksh, 2017, Song & Chuenpagdee, 2015), and this research suggests that it contributes to one of multiple external stressors enacted on seafood processing plants. Second, through interviews carried out with local and non-local informants, it was found that there were three major aspects of CETA that initially impacted communities. These aspects are the reduction and elimination of tariffs for seafood products destined to the EU, the provincial MPR phase-out, and the joint provincial-federal funding scheme, the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF). Although tariff phase-outs were initially considered to be positive as it represented easier access to the EU market, the MPR phase-out was incompatible with local goals of processing sector viability, and the AFF was seen as inadequate to address the long-term problems in the fishery and processing sector. The report is structured as follows. First, it presents a summary of key findings. Second, a background of the study area is presented, followed by rationale, objectives, and methodology. Next, CETA is described in relation to fisheries policy and seafood trade. Following this the results of the research are presented. The report concludes with a summary of the research as well as a brief report on the Research Engagement Session held after the completion of the research in July 2019

Transboundary research in fisheries

Spatial boundaries have become an indispensable part of regimes and tools for regulating fisheries, with examples including marine protected areas, regional fisheries management organizations and Exclusive Economic Zones. Yet, it is also widely acknowledged that boundaries are a social construct, which may be resisted by both fishers and fish ecology. The ensuing spatial and institutional mismatches have been shown to frustrate management efforts, exacerbating issues of non-compliance and ultimately leading to conflicts and overfishing. Interestingly, the often static and rigid nature of these boundaries has also led to a concomitant research interest in ‘transboundary’. This paradoxical situation of more boundary-setting entailing more transboundary thinking warrants a deeper understanding about boundaries and the role of transboundary research in fisheries. The aims of this review article are twofold: (1) a theoretical clarification on the meanings and uses of spatial boundaries drawing on geographical “boundary studies” literature; and (2) a construction of a typology that outlines how transboundary research is being articulated and envisioned. Together, the study reveals that transboundary scholarship in fisheries are mostly related to resources, fleets, trade and governance aspects and that dealing with the “boundary paradox” encompasses re-incorporating, re-scaling and re-imagining of boundaries. This article provides a conceptual basis for reflecting upon boundaries in world's fisheries and opens up discussions for a more nuanced boundary application that can better cope with multi-level interactions and dynamicity

Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods in the Southwest Coast Lobster Fishery

Fish harvesters on the southwest coast of Newfoundland depend heavily on lobster to earn a living. In recent years, decreasing prices and other challenges have threatened the viability of the industry and the future employment of many harvesters’ families and others dependent on the small boat fishery. In the past few years southwest coast fishermen have had high average lobster catch rates per harvester and the number of active licenses in the region has been stable. Most of the lobster is sold to two local buyers and then exported, primarily to the United States. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is the main regulator for harvesting, while the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture regulates the industry post-harvest. Currently the environmental sustainability of the fishery is in question because although there are a number of conservation methods in place, exploitation rates are very high. Low prices contribute to the pressure on harvesters to fish intensively

Well-Being and Fishery Governance

This paper provides summaries of presentations at a special session of IIFET 2012 that explored the potential value of a ‘wellbeing’ approach in small-scale fisheries, drawing on insights from the Governing Small-Scale Fisheries for Wellbeing and Resilience project. The research aimed to apply wellbeing concepts to both better understand fishery values and dynamics, and to improve fisheries management and governance. Wellbeing provides a framework to broaden the analysis of fisheries by addressing the three complementary elements of material, relational and subjective wellbeing, to properly consider the full range of values and objectives in fisheries, and to more comprehensively assess policy alternatives. The paper introduces the idea of wellbeing, then focuses on four themes: (1) the extent to which a wellbeing lens provides a more comprehensive way to approach concerns about poverty, livelihoods and vulnerability in small-scale fisheries; (2) how a wellbeing lens connects to a social-ecological systems perspective, and to analyses of resilience within a fisheries context; (3) how adoption of wellbeing perspectives can contribute to fishery governance thinking, and inform the implementation of fisheries management instruments, and (4) how a wellbeing lens can be applied in specific fisheries, through small-scale fishery case studies from South Africa

Reconnecting people, place, and nature: Examining alternative food networks in Newfoundland's fisheries

Background: Fisheries have played a significant role in the economic development of Newfoundland and Labrador and continue to contribute to coastal livelihoods and local food security. However, the access to and availability of locally harvested fish and seafood in the province is notably lacking, particularly since federal and provincial policies have prioritized the development of export markets in the fisheries over local sales. In this paper, we examine market actors and civil society organizations in St. John's (the provincial capital) and Petty Harbour (a nearby fishing community) that have embarked on initiatives to better include fish and seafood in the local food system. The success of these initiatives depends in part on the degree of connectivity between consumers and harvesters, as well as between people, the culture of fishing, and the marine environment. Results: Reconnections are the foundations of alternative food networks (AFNs), which aim to develop more environmentally and socially sustainable and localized ways of producing, distributing, retailing, and consuming food. This paper explores the social, cultural, and ecological values of the fisheries as means to forging reconnections. The research reveals that values pertaining to traditional food culture, environmental stewardship and conservation, localization, and social cohesion were significant motivating factors for stakeholders in seeking out reconnection in their food system. Conclusions: While AFNs in Newfoundland's fisheries are currently underdeveloped, reconnections are nonetheless taking place along the fisheries supply chain and can contribute to enhancing the accessibility and availability of locally harvested fish. The study also finds that AFNs must be context appropriate and reflect local values, as there are significant opportunities in building on Newfoundland's strong fishing culture and heritage

Assessing Natural Resource Values Using the Damage Schedule Approach: Fishing and Other Resource Uses of the Maya People in Quintana Roo, Mexico

The Maya of Mexico and Central America pursue multiple livelihood approaches, relying primarily on natural resources obtained from the rainforest. Fishing in the many water bodies of the region is one among many livelihood opportunities, but its relative importance has not been assessed previously. Indeed, there remains an overall lack of knowledge among scientists, development agencies and decision-makers of the Maya peoples priorities regarding present and future use of local resources. This study sought to add to the knowledge base, through an assessment of the relative values that indigenous people place on the various natural resources used for their livelihoods, within the Mayan Zone in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The damage schedule approach was employed as a nonmonetary method to elicit the values that the Maya people place on seven resources, associated with their livelihood activities i.e., soils, woodsticks, trees, fish, zapote, animals and bees. The method focuses on pairwise comparison of potential resource losses. Three groups of people in the community (ejidatarios [land owners], non-ejidatarios and women) were selected to undertake the valuation exercise. The results show that the most valuable resource for all three groups was soils (to undertake slash-and-burn shifting agriculture) and the least valuable was fish. Rank correlation results show that the three community groups were similar in their rankings. Community consultations undertaken to obtain feedback from participants confirmed the study results. Incorporating findings such as these in the decision-making process would likely lead to more locally sensitive development policies, and livelihood support programs suited to Mayan lifestyle and values.Keywords: Fisheries Economics, Fish and Aquaculture Sectors Developmen