Bringing analysis of gender and social–ecological resilience together in small-scale fisheries research: Challenges and opportunities

The demand for gender analysis is now increasingly orthodox in natural resource programming, including that for small-scale fisheries. Whilst the analysis of social–ecological resilience has made valuable contributions to integrating social dimensions into research and policy-making on natural resource management, it has so far demonstrated limited success in effectively integrating considerations of gender equity. This paper reviews the challenges in, and opportunities for, bringing a gender analysis together with social–ecological resilience analysis in the context of small-scale fisheries research in developing countries. We conclude that rather than searching for a single unifying framework for gender and resilience analysis, it will be more effective to pursue a plural solution in which closer engagement is fostered between analysis of gender and social-ecological resilience whilst preserving the strengths of each approach. This approach can make an important contribution to developing a better evidence base for small-scale fisheries management and policy

Small-scale innovations in coastal communities: shell-handicraft as a way to empower women and decrease poverty

We analyzed the potential of small-scale innovations, such as shell-handicraft, as a way to foster transformation toward sustainability, decrease poverty, and increase women's empowerment in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The shell-handicraft project was founded by USAID in 2006 and was introduced as an alternative livelihood to low-paid seaweed farming and invertebrate harvesting activities. The main objective, however, was to not only alleviate poverty and empower women, but also to improve management of coastal resources, and allegedly by doing so, break poverty traps. To analyze the potential benefits of this enterprise, and more specifically whether or not women involved in this project have been empowered, a framework was used that comprises three inter-related dimensions; agency, access to resources, and outcome. Agency includes the process of decision making, negotiation, etc., in which choices are made and put into effect. Access to resources (financial, physical, human, and social) is the medium through which agency is exercised, and outcome can be defined as the result of agency. Simply put, resources and agency make up people's potential for living the lives they want. Semistructured interviews were administered to a group of women (n = 36) involved in shell-handicraft and a group of women not involved in shell-handicraft (n = 36) in five villages located in central/south Zanzibar. The results show that over time, the women engaged in shell-handicraft have improved their access to a range of resources, mainly physical (house, cell phone, freezer, and electricity), human (knowledge in marketing, leadership, and entrepreneurship), and social (organization). This further resulted in reported improved self-confidence and decision-making authority within the household. Regarding financial resources, both savings and income improved for the targeted group, but more research is advised. Positively, the environmental impacts of the activity are seemingly low. Old shells are collected for handicraft and a number of no-take zones, as part of the project, have been established to preserve marine resources, which allowed for women's participation in coastal management. The project has also empowered women and challenged stereotypes, aspects critical for progressive and inclusive management. Although all in all, the women interviewed were satisfied and had increased their standard of living, the discussion problematizes this innovation by addressing scaling up possibilities, market constraints, and the kick-off process having external top-down elements. Even though the recipients of the benefits from the project have been few, this case has valuable elements to learn from and can provide inspiration to drive coastal systems into more sustainable paths

Study area Chwaka Bay, Unguja Island (Zanzibar), 6° 13′ 00″–02′54″ S and 39° 23′38″–32′00″ E.

<p>Interviews and catch assessment were conducted in Chwaka village, indicated by a filled circle. Biological field sampling was carried out on different sites in Chwaka Bay; the area being marked by a dotted line.</p

Summary of men's catches for both 2005 and 2010 in Chwaka village, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

<p>Summary of men's catches for both 2005 and 2010 in Chwaka village, Zanzibar, Tanzania.</p

Statistical analyses and results of gender-based differences in collected species, size and weight of catches over time, as well as temporal and spatial variations in animal abundance, species richness and substrate between 2005 and 2010.

<p>Statistical analyses and results of gender-based differences in collected species, size and weight of catches over time, as well as temporal and spatial variations in animal abundance, species richness and substrate between 2005 and 2010.</p

Towards Improved Management of Tropical Invertebrate Fisheries: Including Time Series and Gender

<div><p>Invertebrate harvesting is an important livelihood in tropical settings providing income and food for numerous populations throughout the world. However, the lack of research, policy and management directed towards this livelihood hinders the analysis of time trends to evaluate invertebrate resources status. Another missing aspect is the consideration of gender analysis, i.e., the different roles and interests of men and women engaged in this activity. Based on interviews, catch assessments and inventories this multi-disciplinary study from Chwaka Bay (Zanzibar, Tanzania) shows how unregulated harvesting of invertebrates may result in sharp declines in animal abundance over a relatively short period of time (2005 to 2010), threatening the sustainability of the fishery. Specifically, the results show that catches in general, and prime target species of gastropods and bivalves in particular, had been significantly reduced in number and size. Interviews revealed gender disparities; female harvesters experienced less access to good fishing/collecting grounds and species of high value, which subsequently resulted in lower individual income. This is tightly linked to women's reproductive roles, which not only leads to limited mobility but also lessen their chances to accumulate livelihood assets (natural, physical, financial, social and human capital) thus impacting livelihood strategies. To protect invertebrate resources from overexploitation, and assure a constant flow of income and food for future generations, this case study illustrates the need for formal monitoring to assess changes in invertebrate resources, and possible ecological consequences, over time. Managers and policy-makers must also address gender to evaluate the contribution of all resource users, their capacity to cope with changing conditions, as well as specific interests.</p></div

Differences in a) average number of animals per catch between female and male harvesters, b) differences in average wet weight per catch between female and male harvesters, c) differences in total number of invertebrates, gastropods and bivalves per m², and d) differences in total number of Gold Ringer, Philippine horse mussel, Pen shell and Humpbacked conch per m² between 2005 and 2010.

<p>Differences in a) average number of animals per catch between female and male harvesters, b) differences in average wet weight per catch between female and male harvesters, c) differences in total number of invertebrates, gastropods and bivalves per m², and d) differences in total number of Gold Ringer, Philippine horse mussel, Pen shell and Humpbacked conch per m² between 2005 and 2010.</p

MDS plot illustrating variations in targeted species <i>between</i> and <i>within</i> the groups of males (n = 40) and females (n = 40) surveyed in 2010.

<p>Differences are represented by distance. Data is based on % positive answers.</p