Classical Fisheries Theory and Inland (Floodplain) Fisheries Management; Is there Need for a Paradigm Shift? Lessons from the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Mosepele K

doi:10.4172/2150-3508.1000101

Abstract

This paper reviews the fisheries management question of inland (floodplain) systems in the developing world and proposes a paradigm shift in approach. Inland fisheries management is largely based on classical fisheries formulations derived on temperate freshwater and marine single-stock fisheries. The basic models to manage inland fisheries are based on steady state equilibrium models. However, inland, flood-pulsed fisheries are dynamic and driven by external factors which are incongruent with the classical approach. Therefore, adopting this management approach in inland, flood-pulsed fisheries has created a management conundrum because of the obvious fundamental differences that exist between these two systems. Marine fisheries contribute to the macroeconomic growth of fishing countries, inland fisheries from developing countries are largely focused on recreational activities, while inland (floodplain) fisheries are key sources of food and nutrition security for marginalized riparian communities in the developing world. This review also uses lessons from the Okavango Delta fishery to illustrate the uniqueness of floodplain fisheries and the management questions therein. One key debate highlighted in this review is that inland fisheries are a livelihood of the last resort for poor (and sometimes malnourished) communities. Management should therefore mainstream this value into management interventions, especially since a sustainable utilization of this resource can assist developing countries to achieve some of the MDG’s. The paper concludes with an argument of the need for a paradigm shift in inland fisheries management, where key factors such as enhanced data collection, co-management regimes based on “real” democratic principles constitute some of the germane attributes of fisheries management plans.

Highlights

Fisheries management theory, based on single-species exploitation [1]) is replete with “theoretical” equilibrium models that have been used to manage global fisheries (e.g. [2,3,4])
Tropical floodplain fisheries are characterized by diverse species assemblages, diverse fishing gears, and diverse threats [20,21,22] driven primarily by the seasonal flood pulse in floodplain systems [23,24,25]
While these fisheries are significantly different from marine fisheries in form and structure [10], management interventions, premised on “over-exploitation” [26,27] have adopted classical fisheries management paradigms, ostensibly to ensure sustainable utilization [10]

Summary

Introduction

Fisheries management theory, based on single-species exploitation [1]) is replete with “theoretical” equilibrium models that have been used to manage global (marine) fisheries (e.g. [2,3,4]). Tropical floodplain fisheries are characterized by diverse species assemblages, diverse fishing gears, and diverse threats [20,21,22] driven primarily by the seasonal flood pulse in floodplain systems [23,24,25] While these fisheries are significantly different from marine fisheries in form and structure [10], management interventions, premised on “over-exploitation” [26,27] have adopted classical fisheries management paradigms, ostensibly to ensure sustainable utilization [10]. Junk [36] argues that sustainable development should include the maintenance of the natural flood regime in floodplain systems to ensure sustained fish production This suggests that external drivers (e.g. flooding), are major drivers of change, which nullifies assumptions for classical management approaches in floodplain fisheries. It is envisaged that this will highlight the dynamicity of floodplain fisheries, and illustrate that dynamic fisheries theory modeling is incompatible with floodplain fisheries management

Classical Fisheries Management Theory

Mixed predators

Clarias spp

Conclusion