Reef fisheries and livelihoods in coastal villages of southern Tanzania : Lessons for adaptation to environmental change?

The crucial importance of the reef fisheries to the livelihoods of communities associated with coastal areas in developing countries cannot be overemphasised. However, these important resources are increasingly threatened by destructive human activities and continued overexploitation. Therefore, understanding how the degradation of fisheries resources increases the vulnerability of the livelihoods of coastal households, and the coping strategies employed by them, is critical for planning sustainable livelihoods. This thesis looks at how households currently residing in coastal villages of the Mtwara district in southern Tanzaniaâ an area with a history involving dynamite-fishing activitiesâ sustain their livelihoods. In particular, it examines the existing livelihoods strategies, the ways these strategies are developed in response to changing socio-ecological conditions, and how livelihood trajectories of the households can be conceptualised and interpreted in that context. Further, through scenario planning, it examines whether current coping strategies predispose the community to adapt more easily to unprecedented threats of environmental change, more specifically the effects of climate change to their livelihoods. Drawing on perspectives of sustainable livelihoods, and the ideas of political ecology and scenario planning, the study examines the changing nature of livelihood strategies in coastal areas. By combining insights from political ecology and the thinking around sustainable livelihoods, it links a critical review of the degradation of natural resource discourse and policy with micro-level studies, and thus provides an enhanced understanding of the processes of humanâ environment interactions. The fieldwork was carried out in two phases: phase one from February to July 2012, and phase two from November 2012 to January 2013. A mixed-method approach, involving qualitative and quantitative methodology for data collection, was adopted. The main techniques for primary data collection were household survey, key informant interviews, participant observation, focus group discussions and life history interviews. A sample of 297 household heads and 46 key informants were interviewed, and 58 people participated in focus-group discussions. Secondary data were obtained through documentary review. Data were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings demonstrate that the majority of study respondents are driven to the trajectory of livelihood diversification for subsistence where gradual improvements in the livelihoods are interspersed with more abrupt declines. It is clear that, despite significant constraints linked to destructive fishing activities, coastal households seem to retain a very high level of agency, which allows them to pursue their own, sometimes contested, economic and political objectives. Different social networks and local village groups appear to play a key role in facilitating this process, however, they offer less evidence in understanding the opportunities that households and individuals have to cope and transform their livelihoods. By presenting scenarios for the future of livelihoods, the thesis argues that although households constantly adjust their adaptive strategies to survive, their coping strategies in their current form are weak in terms of being able to transit to climate-resilient livelihoods. This situation calls for efforts that take more determined approaches towards sustainable livelihoods with particular focus on the role and viability of a natural-resource base to manage risk and build resilience in a changing social, environmental, institutional and political conditions. The results contribute to our understanding of how households negotiate livelihoods under conditions of rapid socio-environmental change and increased vulnerability

Small pelagic marine fisheries for food sovereignty? The case of the dagaa fishery at three coastal sites in Tanzania

To implement effective ocean governance, development of policies and management strategies needs to incorporate input from communities that will be impacted by the decisions. People engaging in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture mobilize themselves in anticipation of various challenges, for example, food sovereignty. Food sovereignty is the right for people to access healthy and culturally appropriate food that is produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods. Little attention has been paid to documenting and understanding the struggles and efforts of small-scale fishers to ensure their own food sovereignty. In the Western Indian Ocean region, and Tanzania in particular, there has been a limited number of initiatives among coastal fishers that seek to transform food systems. To better understand these initiatives, this study was designed to examine collective actions undertaken in pursuit of food sovereignty among small pelagic fishers at three landing sites on the coast of Tanzania. Collection of primary data involved a survey of 206 individuals, 25 key informant interviews, 3 focus group discussions and participant observation. Secondary data was also collected from official fisheries records and published materials to supplement the primary data. The study revealed limited current capacity of the small pelagic fisheries to satisfy local demand of fifish for food security and sovereignty purposes due to increased fish trade supplying markets beyond the study sites. The prospects of satisfying an increasing fish demand from existing production systems are limited. Small pelagic fisheries need to be linked to the global food system through appropriate mechanisms to allow them to contribute meaningfully to food security and sovereignty

A Literature Review

This working paper takes stock of the academic literature on the governance of coastal resources and examines the emergence of various instruments, their implementation experiences and their implications in terms of sustainability outcomes. More specifically, it seeks to interrogate the literature in order to: (1) highlight the types of actors involved, their relations and their networks; (2) identify the main processes involved in the governance of coastal resources and different partnership models; and (3) evaluate the outcomes of these processes on social and ecological sustainability. It is the result of activities undertaken by the New Partnerships for Sustainability (NEPSUS) research and capacity building project, which analyses sustainability partnerships in three key natural resource sectors in Tanzania: forestry, wildlife and coastal resources. This paper reviews the overall literature on governance of coastal resources, with the aim of identifying gaps and shaping methodological choices for fieldwork

Sustainability Partnerships for the Governance of Coastal Resources in Tanzania

The paper examines the experience of sustainability partnerships for the management of coastal resources in Tanzania. It identifies key actors and governance dynamics, with focus on decentralization processes, legitimacy-building and participation of local communities. The paper first provides a brief status of coastal resources in Tanzania and a historical overview of the evolution of co-management practices. Then, it examines actors and processes at the national and local levels in relation to two types of co-management: Marine Parks (MPAs) and Beach Management Units (BMUs). In view of ongoing research under the New Partnerships for Sustainability project (NEPSUS), it provides guidance on research gaps in specific relation to the Mnazi Bay Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP) and selected BMUs in Mtwara region, Southern Tanzania

FUTURES FOR FISHERIES PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN WEST AFRICA: DEVELOPMENT OF SCENARIOS FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

participantLiterature gives strong evidence on the possible long term implications of climate change on oceans and inland-based fisheries. Climate change caused largely by accelerated global warming is likely to alter West African fisheries production systems that are already under stress from overexploitation and overcapitalization. The region is one of the most vulnerable due to the relatively importance of fisheries to national economies and diets, and limited capacity to adapt to potential impacts. This article draws on developing of scenarios for the West African region to identify the impacts of climate change and variability, through case studies in Ghana, Senegal and Mauritania, of which their territorial waters are located in the Canary and Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystems where uncertainties exist on how future biophysical changes due to climate change will interact with other stressors and the anticipated responses and adaptation strategies for fisheries production systems. The study used qualitative expert interview and quantitative data (secondary and statistics), exploring the past and understanding the present to create narrative possible future attributed to climate change. Scenario developed through case studies facilitated understanding of the major drivers of changes in fisheries production systems and resulting effects in the context of climate change. It is envisaged that fishery –sector specific scenario need to be developed by taking into consideration the multiple drivers affecting fisheries production systems. Such development would enhance the region's ability and capacity to plan for adaptation within their sustainable fisheries management regimes as mitigation to the predicted great impacts of climate change

Rifffischerei und Lebensunterhalt in Küstendörfen Süd-Tansanias : Lehren für die Anpassung an den Umweltveränderung?

The crucial importance of the reef fisheries to the livelihoods of communities associated with coastal areas in developing countries cannot be overemphasised. However, these important resources are increasingly threatened by destructive human activities and continued overexploitation. Therefore, understanding how the degradation of fisheries resources increases the vulnerability of the livelihoods of coastal households, and the coping strategies employed by them, is critical for planning sustainable livelihoods. This thesis looks at how households currently residing in coastal villages of the Mtwara district in southern Tanzania an area with a history involving dynamite-fishing activities sustain their livelihoods. In particular, it examines the existing livelihoods strategies, the ways these strategies are developed in response to changing socio-ecological conditions, and how livelihood trajectories of the households can be conceptualised and interpreted in that context. Further, through scenario planning, it examines whether current coping strategies predispose the community to adapt more easily to unprecedented threats of environmental change, more specifically the effects of climate change to their livelihoods. Drawing on perspectives of sustainable livelihoods, and the ideas of political ecology and scenario planning, the study examines the changing nature of livelihood strategies in coastal areas. By combining insights from political ecology and the thinking around sustainable livelihoods, it links a critical review of the degradation of natural resource discourse and policy with micro-level studies, and thus provides an enhanced understanding of the processes of human environment interactions. The fieldwork was carried out in two phases: phase one from February to July 2012, and phase two from November 2012 to January 2013. A mixed-method approach, involving qualitative and quantitative methodology for data collection, was adopted. The main techniques for primary data collection were household survey, key informant interviews, participant observation, focus group discussions and life history interviews. A sample of 297 household heads and 46 key informants were interviewed, and 58 people participated in focus-group discussions. Secondary data were obtained through documentary review. Data were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings demonstrate that the majority of study respondents are driven to the trajectory of livelihood diversification for subsistence where gradual improvements in the livelihoods are interspersed with more abrupt declines. It is clear that, despite significant constraints linked to destructive fishing activities, coastal households seem to retain a very high level of agency, which allows them to pursue their own, sometimes contested, economic and political objectives. Different social networks and local village groups appear to play a key role in facilitating this process, however, they offer less evidence in understanding the opportunities that households and individuals have to cope and transform their livelihoods. By presenting scenarios for the future of livelihoods, the thesis argues that although households constantly adjust their adaptive strategies to survive, their coping strategies in their current form are weak in terms of being able to transit to climate-resilient livelihoods. This situation calls for efforts that take more determined approaches towards sustainable livelihoods with particular focus on the role and viability of a natural-resource base to manage risk and build resilience in a changing social, environmental, institutional and political conditions. The results contribute to our understanding of how households negotiate livelihoods under conditions of rapid socio-environmental change and increased vulnerability

Fishers’ perceptions of the recurrence of dynamite-fishing practices on the coast of Tanzania

Dynamite or blast fishing remains the most pervasive destructive fishing method in the coastal waters of Tanzania. It constitutes a major threat to small-scale fisheries through degradation of reefs and other critical habitats for fish. The Tanzanian Government has implemented several measures including a high rate of patrols and surveillance campaigns in the sea to try to deter the use of dynamite in fishing. However, most of these measures have failed to reduce its occurrence over the past years. Little is known on why existing management measures are failing to generate effective solutions to address dynamite and other forms of destructive fishing activities. This study was undertaken to examine perceptions of fishers on the persistent recurrence of dynamite-fishing activities within the present fisheries’ management regulations. A random sample of 180 individual fishers was interviewed in two coastal districts using a household survey questionnaire. Key informants, semi-structured interviews and participant observations were used to collect additional data. Almost two thirds of survey respondents felt that an apparent recurrence of dynamite fishing is attributed to the inconsistencies of the fisheries management approaches deployed to thwart the use of dynamite. However, other factors such as absence of appropriate organisation of the many involved actors, kinship ties and migrant fishers played crucial role on the persistence of dynamite fishing. There was a common perception among all survey participants that lack of trust and transparency towards and within anti-dynamite initiatives negatively impacted the involvement of fishers in their efforts to reduce the use of dynamite. An improved situation where decision-making processes are coordinated among fishers, non-governmental and governmental stakeholders is important to support ongoing management measures, in order to increase legitimacy and long-term success of efforts to get rid of destructive fishing practices among small-scale fishers in Tanzania

The influence of economic factors in the change of fishing strategies of anchored FAD fishers in the face of declining catch, General Santos City, Philippines

Decline in tuna fish stocks due to weak enforcement of regulations on fishing effort poses a challenge to the sustainability of tuna fishery. Intervention programs to address this problem require an understanding of the operational behaviour of the fishers and how various socioeconomic factors may impact fishers’ decisions to continue or discontinue their fishing efforts. A semi-structured interview questionnaire was developed to find whether fishers are willing to keep, change their fishing strategies or exit the fishery if their regular catch will decline by half. Boat captains, assistant boat captains and crew from General Santos City, Lupon, Mati City and Governor Generoso in the Philippines (n=293) were purposively selected for interviews. Results show that fishers from General Santos City with ancillary industries and Lupon with fewer economic development are more willing to adapt or change their fishing strategies. The catch value or price was found to have a strong influence on the likelihood that anchored FAD tuna fishers will adapt or change their fishing strategy when their catches decline. Fishers whose catch fetched a price of PhP 151.00 (US$3.48) and above Php 200 (US$ 4.61) have 80% probability to change their fishing strategy. The proportion of catch sold also had a high influence on the decisions to adapt in the fishery with fishers selling 36% and 73% of their catches have 100% and 70% probability to adapt. The results suggest a reluctance to exit the fisheries even when tuna fishing is no longer economically viable, fishers opt to adapt.</p