Applying a Social–Ecological Systems Approach to Understanding Local Marine Management Trajectories in Northern Mozambique

Kennedy Osuka,Ercilio Chauque,Sérgio Rosendo,Jeremy Huet,Melita Samoilys,Michael Riddell,Mario Daide

doi:10.3390/su12093904

Abstract

This study applied the social–ecological systems framework (SESF) to six fishing communities in northern Mozambique where marine resource management is being implemented through the Our Sea Our Life project. Data on 11 variables and 27 indicators were organised using the SESF to represent the key system dimensions (Governance system, Actors, Resource units and Resource system). Variables within each dimension were weighed to a cumulative score of one. High scores (> 0.50) for Governance system occurred where communities had fisheries management rules and good knowledge of fishing gear regulations. High scores for Actors were evident in communities with few migrant fishers and high participation in village savings and loans associations. Elevated scores of the Resource units occurred where fishers targeted a variety of fish taxa. A healthy Resource system was found in communities neighbouring highly productive and resilient reefs, characterised by high fish biomass and diversity. The status of social and ecological conditions coupled with initial levels of project support and quality of technical support were linked with project achievements. Application of the SESF is therefore valuable in understanding interdependent linkages between social and environmental conditions to inform the design of localised management interventions for social–ecological sustainability.

Highlights

In recent decades, there has been a shift in small-scale fisheries management from centralised government systems to more decentralised approaches, including the local communities [1,2,3,4]
A key critique of the Social–Ecological System (SES) framework is the modification of variables and the indicators to measure them depending on the context [29], which limits the comparability of the results undertaken by different studies [28]. While this may be the case, our study shows that the framework enables adding value to previously collected data to improve our understanding of the dynamics of social–ecological systems
The findings suggest the importance of understanding each of the component parts of a social–ecological system

Summary

Introduction

There has been a shift in small-scale fisheries management from centralised government systems to more decentralised approaches, including the local communities [1,2,3,4]. Key challenges include poor representation of fishers in the community organisations involved in decision-making, and lack of organisational capacity and financial capability [10,11,12]. This indicates that the pathways from governance processes to ecological outcomes are complex [13]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion