Fishers who rely on mangroves: Modelling and mapping the global intensity of mangrove-associated fisheries

Mangroves are critical nursery habitats for fish and invertebrates, providing livelihoods for many coastal communities. Despite their importance, there is currently no estimate of the number of fishers engaged in mangrove associated fisheries, nor on the fishing intensity associated with mangroves at a global scale. We address these gaps by developing a global model of mangrove associated fisher numbers and mangrove fishing intensity. To develop the model, we undertook a three-round Delphi process with mangrove fisheries experts to identify the key drivers of mangrove fishing intensity. We then developed a conceptual model of intensity of mangrove fishing using those factors identified both as being important and for which appropriate global data could be found or developed. These factors were non-urban population, distance to market, distance to mangroves and other fishing grounds, and storm events. By projecting this conceptual model using geospatial datasets, we were able to estimate the number and distribution of mangrove associated fishers and the intensity of fishing in mangroves. We estimate there are 4.1 million mangrove associated fishers globally, with the highest number of mangrove fishers found in Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Brazil. Mangrove fishing intensity was greatest throughout Asia, and to a lesser extent West and Central Africa, and Central and South America

Illuminating the need for ecological knowledge in economic valuation of mangroves under different management regimes - a critique

This is a commentary on a paper by Gilbert and Janssen (Gilbert, A.J., Janssen, R., 1998. Ecol. Econ. 25, 323–346) that deals with valuation of management alternatives for the Pagbilao mangroves, Philippines. Our main critique focuses on the undervaluation of fisheries as well as the inability to quantify the value of ecological services and internalize aquaculture's environmental costs. In addition, the sustainability criteria set up for the aquaculture management alternatives is open to debate. These weaknesses affect the result of Gilbert and Janssen's analysis so that the value of the unexploited mangrove forest is underestimated, and the value and sustainability of converting the forest into aquaculture ponds are overestimated. If applied to decision-making, the erroneous results from this partial cost–benefit analysis may have dire consequences for the mangroves and coastal communities of Pagbilao

To eat or not to eat, coastal sea trout anglers' motivations and perceptions of best practices for catch and release

The wide variety of perspectives and actions of individual anglers contribute greatly to success or failure when adopting and implementing fisheries management tools. Catch-and-release (C&R) is one such tool where success is influenced by both variation in human factors, but also species and fishery specific characteristics. In this study, an intercept survey of 94 sea trout anglers in a C&R dominated fishery on the Swedish island of Gotland investigated motivations to release or retain catches, self-assessment of anglers' own ability to release fish, and their rating of the importance of various factors influencing the successful outcomes of C&R. Retention of catches was most strongly motivated by situations where anglers deemed the fish unlikely to survive, however more than half of anglers acknowledged being unaware of delayed mortality in released fish. The spawning status of an individual fish was the primary motivation for release, particularly among anglers that prefer to keep at least some of their catches. The roles of water temperature, using single, and barbless hooks were scored as significantly less important than other components contributing to the success of a release. Anglers that gave a favourable rating to their ability to release sea trout also gave greater importance to various factors influencing the success of release, reported higher catch per unit effort, and released a greater proportion of their catches. These findings are discussed in the context of bridging knowledge and behavioural gaps around best practices for C&R in this fishery

What you see isn't always what you get : On how anglers' fish stock perceptions are influenced by motivations, satisfaction and engagement

Recreational anglers collectively spend a great amount of time on fishing activities. While being out fishing, these anglers perceive various components of aquatic ecosystems, allowing them to accumulate knowledge of the ecological status of the system and the fish they are targeting in it. Such fishers' ecological knowledge (FEK) is increasingly being recognized as a valuable source of information in fisheries research and management, but it has also been criticized for a lack of accuracy. People's perceptions of their environment are shaped by a variety of psychological and environmental factors, and the same is expected for anglers' perceptions of fish stocks and the resulting FEK. This study assessed anglers' perceived change in salmon and sea trout stocks at the Mo center dot rrum river in Sweden, comparing the year that they first fished there to the present (2019). In addition, effects on these perceptions of the anglers' motivations to fish, satisfaction with catches, and their engagement with this fishery were examined. The majority of the respondents perceived a negative trend for both species, even when the reported total catches during the year they first fished at Mo center dot rrum were lower than the present catches. Binomial regression models indicated significant influences of engagement at Mo center dot rrum on the anglers' stock trend perceptions. The results of this study emphasize the importance of understanding different individual angler characteristics when collecting and interpreting FEK. Moreover, the fact that anglers with a longer history at Mo center dot rrum had a more negative perception overall, regardless of actual stock status in their first year in this fishery, suggests the occurrence of the shifting baseline syndrome in recreational fisheries. Therefore, the prevailing narrative on stock trends and its effect on angler perceptions should be considered when using FEK

Distribution pattern of shrimps and fish among Avicennia and Rhizophora microhabitats in the Pagbilao mangroves, Philippines

For sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems, there is a pressing need to increase our knowledge of fish and invertebrates associated with this system. This study sampled microhabitats (89–258 m2) inside the mangrove forest at Pagbilao, the Philippines, on two consecutive spring tides using stake nets. Distribution patterns of shrimps and fish were compared among four microhabitats that differed in dominant mangrove species (Avicennia marina, A. officinalis or Rhizophora apiculata), structural complexity of the root system, and proximity to open water habitat. A 5 to 6-year-old replanted Rhizophora microhabitat was also sampled to study faunal recolonization following replantation. The mean (±SE) density of the shrimp community was 1·5±0·2 shrimps m−2, dominated by Palaemonidae, followed by Acetes sp., Penaeus merguiensis and Metapenaeus ensis . The highest shrimp density was observed in the replanted Rhizophora habitat, which also had the highest structural complexity. The mean (±SE) density and biomass of the fish community was 5·1±2·0 fish m−2and 10·4±3·3 g m−2, respectively, dominated by Ambassis kopsi, A. urotaenia and Atherinomorus balabacensis. The fish community preferred the pneumatophore (Avicennia) microhabitats to the prop root (Rhizophora) habitats. Highest fish abundance and biomass were observed in the most inland habitat, which also lacked larger (total length >100 mm) carnivorous fish. The results demonstrate the extensive use of intertidal mangrove forests by vagile fauna, as well as the successful recolonization by shrimps and fish of replanted Rhizophora habitat. The role of mangroves as predation refuges, based on the distribution pattern of shrimps and fish, is discussed. Sampling strategies in mangrove intertidal habitat are also outlined.The field work of this study was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)

Strong and weak sustainability in Nordic aquaculture policies

In this paper, we critically analyze how sustainability is considered in aquaculture policies and strategies using the Nordic countries as a case. The strong versus weak sustainability concepts are used to define and clarify what sustainability aspects are central to each state. To illustrate these concepts further, we draw on and modify four mainstream environmental discourses defined by John Dryzek and apply them to the strong and weak sustainability dichotomy to help categorize how environmental sustainability is portrayed in Nordic aquaculture policies and strategies. Subsequently we apply the characteristics of the concepts to aquaculture and sustainability in the Nordic countries. This allows us to identify each state's depiction of sustainable aquaculture, compare these to one another and assess where the Nordic states position themselves regarding sustainability and aquaculture. Our findings show that the policies emphasize technological advancements, intensification, and economic growth, which correlates with weak sustainability. Environmental sustainability receives a significant role in the documents too but does not seem to trump increased intensification or profitability. All policies are heavily focused on fed aquaculture and in order to reduce negative impacts from aquaculture there is a need to incorporate key elements of strong sustainability in policies, including measures to reduce impacts from pollution and the spread of pathogens, use of high-grade food resources and energy consumption. This to transform the industry to sustainability rather than just making it less unsustainable

Blue-Green Consumption: Determinants for Eco-Labelled Seafood Purchasing in Sweden

Eco-certification of seafood has been suggested to be a key market based mechanism for reducing the pressure on the world’s aquatic ecosystems. In the study presented here we investigate to what extent consumers’ stated purchasing of eco-labelled seafood was correlated with seven internal variables: environmental knowledge, familiarity with eco-labels, subjective knowledge, pro-environmental self-identification, sense of personal responsibility, concern for negative environmental impacts and perceived consumer effectiveness. Sweden offers a unique arena for investigating highly environmentally conscious consumers’ perceptions of eco-labelled seafood due to a relatively mature market for eco-labelled food. Drawing on data from a quantitative survey (n=397) conducted in Stockholm, Sweden and semi-structured interviews, we found that two variables appeared comparatively good in predicting stated purchasing of eco-labelled seafood: (i) recognition and stated understanding of eco-labels for seafood (Marine Stewardship Council, Fish for Life, Aquaculture Stewardship Council and KRAV) and (ii) concern for negative environmental impacts associated with seafood production. Results from qualitative follow up interviews enabled us to unpack the variables and identify key internal barriers to increased demand for eco-labelled seafood in Sweden. The results point towards the importance of strengthening the emotional component of consumer decision making and improving the level of consumer familiarity with seafood eco-labels. It is moreover suggested that consumer demand likely is a limited driver for a transformation towards seafood sustainability. The burden of responsibility for environmentally sound aquaculture and capture fisheries operations therefore may need to be shifted away from individual consumers to large market actors as well as governmental institutions.Proceedings of the Eighteenth Biennial Conference of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade, held July 11-15, 2016 at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Center (AECC), Aberdeen, Scotland, UK

Fishing for sustainability : a case about recreational fishing, tourism, and sustainable entrepreneurship

In this case we follow the development of a tourism business in Sweden with high sustainability ambitions. We explore how the entrepreneur started, ran, and expanded his business, which offers recreational fishing for high-end customers from all over the world. The new firm works with value propositions, dealing with the common challenges of uncertainty, trying to get external funding, and finding suitable partners, all in light of sustainability—that is, the ways the entrepreneur tries to adjust his economic activities to the maximum carrying capacity, by carefully managing the natural resources his business relies upon (wild fish stock and the pristine wilderness of his sites). He is also trying to cooperate with and provide benefits to the local community in which his business operates. This case also illustrates some of the obstacles the entrepreneur encounters: the risk of losing access to the natural resource he relies upon as the local Sámi people suddenly, by court verdict, obtain exclusive rights to the fish; the problems of hiring local staff to benefit the community as they have other unpredictable activities to attend to (reindeer herding); the way his business credibility for the high-end market is threatened when local customers are served as they comprise a very different social segment; whether it is possible to claim a sustainable business as it involves a lot of air travel. This case provides learning opportunities connected to some of the challenges involved when trying to run a business, taking as points of departure the limits of nature and contributing socially while maintaining financial viability. Through this, the student will gain insights into many sustainability challenges facing an entrepreneurial venture

Eco-Labeled Seafood : Determinants for (Blue) Green Consumption

Eco-certification has become an increasingly popular market-based tool in the endeavor to reduce negative environmental impacts from fisheries and aquaculture. In this study, we aimed at investigating which psychological consumer characteristics influence demand for eco-labeled seafood by correlating consumers’ stated purchasing of eco-labeled seafood to nine variables: environmental knowledge regarding seafood production, familiarity with eco-labels, subjective knowledge, pro-environmental self-identification, sense of personal responsibility, concern for negative environmental impacts from seafood production, perceived consumer effectiveness, gender and education. Questionnaires were distributed to consumers in Stockholm, Sweden, and the data were tested with multiple regression analysis using linear modeling and model averaging (n = 371). Two variables were the best predictors of stated purchasing of eco-labeled seafood: (i) recognition and understanding of eco-labels for seafood (Marine Stewardship Council, Fish for Life, Aquaculture Stewardship Council and KRAV); and (ii) concern for negative environmental impacts associated with seafood production. Meanwhile, consumer environmental knowledge was a weaker predictor. Results from this study suggest that strengthening the emotional component of consumer decision-making and improving the level of consumer familiarity with seafood eco-labels could stimulate more pro-environmental seafood consumption

Informing obligations : Best practice information for catch‐and‐release in Swedish local recreational fisheries management

Catch-and-release (C&R) is a popular management tool that can support sustainable development of recreational fisheries, if anglers adopt scientifically informed “best practices.” However, although the role of best practices is widely established in the academic literature, this knowledge is not always disseminated to anglers. In this paper, we investigated if and to what extent local management organizations provided best practice information to anglers. Based on a sample of 331 Swedish organizations, we reviewed the websites through which these organizations sold fishing licenses. Our review demonstrated widespread use of C&R as a management tool yet a general lack of best practice information. Among the small fraction of organizations that mentioned best practices, most mentioned only a single practice, with little consistency among practices that received attention. In addition, best practice information was particularly lacking for pike (Esox Lucius) and perch (Perca fluviatilis), which are by far the most landed and released species nationally. We discovered major knowledge deficiencies that provide insights about where and how to focus efforts for improving best practice information, in the context of local recreational fisheries management