Conservation-scapes: An interdisciplinary approach to assessing cetacean bycatch in small-scale fisheries

In conservation research, the call for more holistic research that considers the human dimension of conservation problems has existed for decades. However, such approaches have not yet been widely operationalized and integrated in conservation studies. To promote improved operationalization of multidisciplinary, human-inclusive conservation research, I developed the conservation-scape framework. This social-ecological framework outlines the sets of attributes that inform practical conservation approaches: (1) proximate attributes, which quantify and characterize the magnitude and risk of a given conservation problem, (2) underlying social context attributes, or the economic, social, and cultural factors that might influence human use of resources, and (3) underlying governance context attributes. Mitigating bycatch of cetaceans in small-scale fisheries is an urgent conservation priority, inextricably linked to the pressing need for improved small-scale fisheries management. Currently, our knowledge of the extent and underlying context of this issue is limited by substantial data gaps for both the ecological and social aspects. To more holistically understand this conservation problem, I applied the conservation-scapes framework to investigate proximate and underlying attributes of Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) bycatch at one focal site and three comparative sites in Southeast Asia.For three of the four sites, bycatch was demonstrated to be unsustainable, based on annual bycatch mortality rates from interviews and dolphin population estimates. Overlap between bycatch-related fishing gear use and dolphin habitat exists year-round at all sites. To present information on proximate, social, and governance conservation-scape attributes in a concise and useful manner , I developed exploratory and comparative conservation-scape assessment scorecard that summarize the need and mitigation outlook for effectively reducing fishing gear-dolphin overlap at each site. These indicate that the urgency of the bycatch problem is high, particularly for the three aforementioned sites, but that the mitigation outlook varies across sites, with cross-site differences in ties to fishing, general perceptions regarding environmental resources and dolphin conservation, general social attributes, and governance engagement and effectiveness. To further develop the conservation-scapes approach as a practical part of the conservation research toolkit, I link it to the Snapshot Assessment Protocol (SnAP) for assessing small-scale fisheries, developed by myself and colleagues. Together, the conservation-scapes framework and SnAP hold great potential for contributing to the rising tide of collaborative, interdisciplinary research

Environmental Stewardship: A Conceptual Review and Analytical Framework

There has been increasing attention to and investment in local environmental stewardship in conservation and environmental management policies and programs globally. Yet environmental stewardship has not received adequate conceptual attention. Establishing a clear definition and comprehensive analytical framework could strengthen our ability to understand the factors that lead to the success or failure of environmental stewardship in different contexts and how to most effectively support and enable local efforts. Here we propose such a definition and framework. First, we define local environmental stewardship as the actions taken by individuals, groups or networks of actors, with various motivations and levels of capacity, to protect, care for or responsibly use the environment in pursuit of environmental and/or social outcomes in diverse social–ecological contexts. Next, drawing from a review of the environmental stewardship, management and governance literatures, we unpack the elements of this definition to develop an analytical framework that can facilitate research on local environmental stewardship. Finally, we discuss potential interventions and leverage points for promoting or supporting local stewardship and future applications of the framework to guide descriptive, evaluative, prescriptive or systematic analysis of environmental stewardship. Further application of this framework in diverse environmental and social contexts is recommended to refine the elements and develop insights that will guide and improve the outcomes of environmental stewardship initiatives and investments. Ultimately, our aim is to raise the profile of environmental stewardship as a valuable and holistic concept for guiding productive and sustained relationships with the environment

Snapshot Assessment Protocol (SnAP): Guidelines, Tools, and Tips for RapidlyCharacterizing Small-Scale Fisheries.

Recognizing the need for improved coordination, the Small-scale and Artisanal Fisheries Research Network (SAFRN), at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (CMBC), was established in 2010 by graduate students as an interdisciplinary hub of students, researchers, and faculty studying small-scale fisheries (SSF). Our goals are to: enhance communication and collaboration across disciplines, projects, and sectors; share research guidelines and methodologies; and connect research to meaningful management actions.SAFRN has developed the Snapshot Assessment Protocol (SnAP), an interdisciplinary, standardized toolkit for describing SSF holistically, including ecological, social, cultural, economic, and governance-related aspects of these fisheries and the related communities. SnAP is a key part of our 2011-2012 project, “Coordinating Research for Sustaining Artisanal Fisheries”, funded by the Waitt Foundation

Snapshot Assessment Protocol (SnAP): Guidelines, Tools, and Tips for RapidlyCharacterizing Small-Scale Fisheries.

Recognizing the need for improved coordination, the Small-scale and Artisanal Fisheries Research Network (SAFRN), at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (CMBC), was established in 2010 by graduate students as an interdisciplinary hub of students, researchers, and faculty studying small-scale fisheries (SSF). Our goals are to: enhance communication and collaboration across disciplines, projects, and sectors; share research guidelines and methodologies; and connect research to meaningful management actions.SAFRN has developed the Snapshot Assessment Protocol (SnAP), an interdisciplinary, standardized toolkit for describing SSF holistically, including ecological, social, cultural, economic, and governance-related aspects of these fisheries and the related communities. SnAP is a key part of our 2011-2012 project, “Coordinating Research for Sustaining Artisanal Fisheries”, funded by the Waitt Foundation

Bycatch in gillnet fisheries threatens Critically Endangered small cetaceans and other aquatic megafauna

The conservation status of small cetaceans has significantly worsened since the 1980s, when the baiji was the only species of small cetacean listed as Endangered by IUCN. Now the baiji is almost certainly extinct and 13 other species, subspecies, or populations (hereafter units-to-conserve or units) of small cetaceans are listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. Bycatch is the main threat to 11 of the CR units. Entanglement in gillnets contributed to the extinction of the baiji and is responsible for the imminent extinction of the vaquita. Unfortunately, there is no simple technical solution to the problem of bycatch of small cetaceans. If the 8 CR units with 100 or fewer remaining individuals are to be saved, conservation zones must be established where gillnets are eliminated and bans on their use are strictly enforced. Recent experience with the vaquita in Mexico demonstrates that enforcement of such conservation zones can be very difficult. Ineffective enforcement is also a problem for at least 4 of the other CR units. Time is very short and, unless major efforts are made now to address the bycatch problem, the prospects for CR small cetaceans and other at-risk aquatic megafauna are grim. The ultimate long-term solution to the bycatch problem is the development of efficient, inexpensive, alternative fishing gear that can replace gillnets without jeopardizing the livelihoods of fishermen. Good fishery governance and the direct involvement of fishing communities are also essential to the successful conservation of most threatened populations of small cetaceans.</p

An appeal for a code of conduct for marine conservation

Marine conservation actions are promoted to conserve natural values and support human wellbeing. Yet the quality of governance processes and the social consequences of some marine conservation initiatives have been the subject of critique and even human rights complaints. These types of governance and social issues may jeopardize the legitimacy of, support for and long-term effectiveness of marine conservation. Thus, we argue that a clearly articulated and comprehensive set of social standards - a code of conduct - is needed to guide marine conservation. In this paper, we draw on the results of an expert meeting and scoping review to present key principles that might be taken into account in a code of conduct, to propose a draft set of foundational elements for inclusion in a code of conduct, to discuss the benefits and challenges of such a document, and to propose next steps to develop and facilitate the uptake of a broadly applicable code of conduct within the marine conservation community. The objectives of developing such a code of conduct are to promote fair conservation governance and decision-making, socially just conservation actions and outcomes, and accountable conservation practitioners and organizations. The uptake and implementation of a code of conduct would enable marine conservation to be both socially acceptable and ecologically effective, thereby contributing to a truly sustainable ocean