Fisheries governance in the tropical archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar – opinions and strategies for sustainable management

COVID-19 and Thai marine capture fishery in the Gulf of Thailand: A case of small-scale fishery versus industrial fishery

Energy efficiency and economics of small-scale fisheries (SSF) in India: A VIKOR based multicriteria decision-making model for sustainable fisheries management

China (herein referred as China’s mainland, and excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) ranks as the world’s leading fishing nation, with approximately 11.1 million tons of domestic marine catch acquired in 2017. Marine fisheries resources in China are mainly exploited by its 11 coastal provinces and municipalities, and the development of fishing industry varies among them. However, few studies have examined the exploitation history of the 11 coastal provinces and municipalities. In this paper, we systematically quantified the exploitation history of marine fishery resources in China and then measured the vulnerability of the 11 coastal provinces and municipalities of China to a reduction in marine catches. Our analysis suggested that Chinese marine fisheries experienced rapid growth from the mid-1980s to the end of the 20th century, and this rapid increase in marine catches were mainly promoted by increased fishing effort. The total primary production required level amounted to approximately 80% of the average primary productivity in 2017, and Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Hainan and Guangdong provinces were the main fishing provinces in China. By assessing three dimensions of vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity) to the impacts of a reduction in marine catches in the 11 coastal provinces and municipalities, we found that Hainan, Guangxi, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces had high or very high vulnerability, while the municipalities of Shanghai and Tianjin had low vulnerability. Identifying suitable adaptation policies and management plans based on the differences in vulnerability among coastal provinces is important in sustainable fisheries management.

The sustainable governance and management of small-scale fisheries (SSF) is challenging, largely due to their dynamic and complex nature. Agent-based modeling (ABM) is a computational modeling approach that can account for the dynamism and complexity in SSF by modeling entities as individual agents with different characteristics and behavior, and simulate how their interactions can give rise to emergent phenomena, such as over-fishing and social inequalities. The structurally realistic design of agent-based models allow stakeholder, experts and scientists across disciplines and sectors to reconcile different knowledge bases, assumptions, and goals. ABMs can also be designed using any combination of theory, quantitative data, or qualitative data. In this publication we elaborate on the untapped potential of ABM to tackle governance and management challenges in SSF, discuss the limitations of ABM, and review its application in published SSF models. Our review shows that, although few models exist to date, ABM has been used for diverse purposes, including as a research tool for understanding cooperation and over-harvesting, and as a decision-support tool, or participatory tool, in case-specific fisheries. Even though the development of ABMs is often time- and resource intensive, it is the only dynamic modeling approach that can represent entities of different types, their heterogeneity, actions and interactions, thus doing justice to the complex and dynamic nature of SSF which, if ignored can lead to unintended policy outcomes and less sustainable SSF.

Owing to their long-term and intimate relationship with the sea, small-scale fishers around the world have developed deep and rooted knowledge about their coastal and marine environment. This rich body of knowledge allows fishers to detect changes in marine species abundance and distribution. However, the importance of fishers’ local knowledge for fisheries knowledge and management tends to be overlooked or subordinated to fisheries sciences, thus limiting a comprehensive assessment of small-scale fisheries (SSF). This is especially the case in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region, where studies that have woven scientific and fishers’ local knowledge together are scarce. This study addresses this gap by exploring the complementarity between scientific and fishers’ local knowledge on harvested marine species and their historical trends drawing upon two small-scale fishing communities in coastal Kenya (Malindi-Watamu) and northern Madagascar (Diana region). We used a mixed method approach, combining background local coastal fisheries data for the past 20 years with free listing interviews with fishers (n=80 in each site). These interviews consisted of asking fishers to list the main harvested marine species they know, and report observed changes in their catches over time. To weave scientific and fishers’ local knowledge together, we applied the Multiple Evidence Base approach as an integrated analytical framework to explore knowledge pluralism. We found evidence of an extensive overlap between harvested marine species reported by scientists and fishers. In addition, in the two sites, fishers reported a decline in the abundance of demersal reef species that was not documented in scientific data. Importantly, our findings revealed that fishers’ local knowledge varied according to different social variables, namely age and ethnicity in coastal Kenya and age and gender in northern Madagascar, thus calling for further intersectional research in SSF contexts. Through a transdisciplinary approach, this study highlights how weaving multiple knowledge systems together can improve our understanding of SSF dynamics in the WIO region. The lessons learned from these two regional case studies aim to support policymakers and ocean professionals in their action towards sustainable fisheries management and conserving, sustainably managing and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems in line with the Ocean Action Panels 5 and 1 of UNOC3.

Conflict over marine fishery resources is a growing security concern. Experts expect that global changes in our climate, food systems and oceans may spark or exacerbate resource conflicts. An initial scan of 803 relevant papers and subsequent intensive review of 31 fisheries conflict studies, focused on subnational and international conflicts, suggests that four substantial scientific gaps need addressing to improve our understanding of the nature and drivers of fisheries conflict. First, fisheries conflict and levels of conflict intensity are not precisely defined. Second, complex adaptive systems thinking is underutilized but has the potential to produce more realistic causal models of fishery conflict. Third, comparative large‐scale data and suitably integrative methodologies are lacking, underscoring the need for a standardized and comparable database of fisheries conflict cases to aid extrapolation beyond single case‐studies. Fourth, there is room for a more widespread application of higher order concepts and associated terminology. Importantly, the four gaps highlight the homogenized nature of current methodological and theoretical approaches to understanding fishery conflict, which potentially presents us with an oversimplified understanding of these conflicts. A more nuanced understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of fishery conflict and its causes is not only scientifically critical, but increasingly relevant for policymakers and practitioners in this turbulent world.

High-quality development of marine fisheries provides an important advantage for China to build itself into a maritime power and implement the Blue Granary Plan effectively. Based on the concepts of ‘new development’, ‘food security’, and the six dimensions of ‘openness, innovation, coordination, green, sharing, and security’, in this study, we established an evaluation index system for the high-quality development of China’s marine fishery sector. We applied the entropy method to evaluate the high-quality development level of China’s marine fishery sector from 2000 to 2016 and explored its spatial and temporal evolution rules. Our results indicated that: 1) from 2000 to 2016, China’s marine fishery sector was in the primary stage of high-quality development; 2) spatially, the highquality development of marine fisheries showed an upward trend in all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in the country (not including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of China), and with time, the distribution pattern changed from single to multi-polarization; 3) temporally, the development level of high-quality marine fisheries fluctuated during the study period. From 2000 to 2010, the growth rate in openness was relatively slow, but after 2010, it increased rapidly. Notably, innovation is the driving force for high-quality development. The green and security factors provide a solid guarantee for high-quality development. In the high-quality development of a region, economic development is better coordinated, and the distribution of benefits is more inclusive. This study provides a theoretical basis to formulate effective marine fishery policies for the high-quality development of the marine fishery sector in China. Exploring the high-quality development and evolution process of marine fishery is conducive to promoting the sustainable development of marine fishery industry, ensuring marine fishery food security, and alleviating global food crisis.

The sustainable use of fisheries resources is a priority of the African Union in developing the Blue Economy (BE). Growing global demand for seafood has attracted diverse actors to African waters, including Distant Water Fishing Nations (DWFNs) fleets. Complex fisheries governance challenges, unsustainable rates of fishing and rising fisheries-related crimes have ensued. To reverse these impacts, some African states are deploying various fisheries governance mechanisms. Drawing on extensive expert experiences, the review of literature, fisheries databases, international and regional agency reports, NGO and government reports and case studies from West and East Africa, we demonstrate two critical findings. First, fisheries governance mechanisms in Africa act largely to constrain small-scale fisheries (SSF) while failing to contain the industrial fisheries sector, resulting in the marginalisation of the SSF. Secondly, despite a higher incidence of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in industrial fisheries than the SSF, fisheries governance mechanisms continue to advance the 'Survival of the Richest' – the industrial sector, to the detriment of the 'Fittest' – the SSF. The SSF supports millions of jobs and is better adapted to meet the continents' nutrition and socio-economic security. For the fisheries sector to contribute to the sustainable development of Africans, states must redirect governance towards regulating the industrial sector, emphasising equitable access for the SSF whilst prioritising ecological sustainability.

<p>Sustainable fisheries management in coastal areas is a challenge as well<br />as a strategic opportunity in maintaining the sustainability of marine resources<br />and the welfare of fishing communities. Bone Bolango Regency, which has quite<br />large fisheries potential, especially in the Tomini Bay area, faces various<br />challenges in its fisheries governance, ranging from low community participation,<br />limited responsive policy support, to minimal cross-sector collaboration. This<br />study aims to analyze sustainable fisheries management in Bone Bolango by<br />emphasizing the role of fishing communities, government responsiveness, and<br />multi-party partnerships. The method used in this study is a descriptive<br />qualitative approach with data collection techniques through in-depth<br />interviews, field observations, and documentation studies. Data were analyzed<br />using the Business Model Canvas framework adapted to the Design Thinking<br />approach to understand the dynamics of user needs, actor roles, and innovation<br />in governance. The results of the study show that active participation of fishing<br />communities has a significant influence on the legitimacy of policies and the<br />success of marine conservation programs based on local wisdom. However, this<br />involvement is still hampered by low environmental literacy and technical<br />capacity. In addition, the level of responsiveness of local governments is still<br />partial, focusing more on technical assistance than building equal dialogue<br />mechanisms. Meanwhile, collaborative practices between fishing communities,<br />government, and the private sector have not been optimal due to the weakness<br />of existing partnership institutions. This finding strengthens the arguments of a<br />number of previous studies that emphasize the importance of environmental<br />education, integration of local knowledge, and inclusive partnerships in coastal<br />resource management. The implications of this study indicate that the success of<br />sustainable fisheries management is largely determined by an adaptive,<br />community-based governance model supported by strategic cross-sector<br />partnerships. Therefore, it is necessary to design policies and programs that are<br />more responsive to the needs of coastal communities, strengthen community<br />capacity, and build participatory and sustainable collaborative institutions.</p>

In 1992, UNCED Agenda 21 highlighted the protection and preservation of highly diverse marine ecosystems and the problems that degraded ecosystems posed to marine fishing activities. The 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement referred to the need to maintain the integrity of ecosystems and to consider problems posed by fishing and degrading ecosystems. Further, the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries gave greater significance to an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. Artisanal and small-scale fisheries are accorded special recognition by the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Such fisheries contributed more than a quarter of world catch, and accounted for half of the fish used for direct human consumption. With the widespread adoption of motorization, small-scale fisheries have grown significantly over the past two decades. The rapid expansion of artisanal fishing capacity under open access regimes has begun to exert overfishing pressures on coastal fisheries resources, especially in Asia and Africa. There are increasing conflicts between different gear groups as a result of increased mobility of fishing vessels, capacity expansion and overfishing pressures. In the present scenario, there is an urgent need for the State to take up fisheries management measures for greater equity and sustainability through consultative mechanisms. In this context, greater recognition should be given to small-scale rather than large-scale fisheries. The emphasis has to change: away from increasing fish production, toward conservation and management goals. To initiate fisheries management measures in developing countries, a 'crossword' approach could be considered, i.e. filling up management niches that are relatively easy at first, and then moving to more difficult ones with the aid of early breakthroughs or solutions. Industrialized countries, in the first place, should not transfer their excess fishing capacity to developing countries. There is also a need to establish a well-designed, time-bound, international aid programme in exchange for a commitment to manage fisheries in a consultative, transparent and sustainable manner. For small-scale fisheries that are overcrowded in developing countries, industrialized nations could contribute to alleviating such demographic pressure in fisheries by facilitating temporary migration of surplus labour into their fisheries, particularly into fisheries that are earmarked by labour shortage. Concurrent with proposing and implementing measures that basically address the impact of fishing on fish stocks and the marine habitat, there is also need for measures to minimize the effect of pollution related habitat degradation on fish stocks, and to understand better the intricacies of weather and climate factors. Programmes to conserve 'charismatic' species such as sea lions, dolphins and sea turtles also sometimes become counterproductive when these resources multiply in large number and compete with fishers for the quarry, without significantly contributing to the health of the marine ecosystem. A universally acceptable definition of ecosystem-based fishery management, however, has to consider fishers as part of the ecosystem, which is an important consideration for developing countries that have 95% of the world's fisher population and over 60% of the world's marine fisheries resources. It should, on the one hand, take into account the effects of fishing on fish stocks, especially the unequal impact of small- and large-scale fishing on targeted fish stocks and the marine and coastal ecosystems, undertaken under different economic, social and political milieu. This would be within the framework of what could be considered as an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management indicated in Agenda 21 and the UN Fish Stocks Agreement.

Metabolic state of the nation: Results of the national family health survey-4.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) as a case to delineate contextual and often paradoxical challenges in implementing centrally sponsored schemes in a small island economy. Government reports cite ANI's record on health outcomes to be impressive when comparing it with other Union Territories (UTs). However, using examples of two public health and nutrition schemes, the paper argues that unless ANI's development indicators are compared over few years, public policy may fail to identity its development challenges and continue its rhetoric while in reality, health outcomes may be regressing. Design/methodology/approach – The paper used case study research design involving mixed method approach. Quantitative data were secondary in nature, collected from local government departments. Two of the three districts of ANI formed the sample of the study. Main tools used for qualitative analysis were observation and informal interviews with government functionaries and other stakeholders. Findings – The findings point to the paradox of superior public spending and infrastructure in ANI in midst of deteriorating public health and child nutrition outcomes. The paper concluded that any policy making on island's trajectory of development is not only incomplete, but also faulty unless its special context is considered as a starting point. Research limitations/implications – Ethnographic studies on the health-seeking behaviour of ANI communities can reveal trends in access to health services and its reasons, but that was beyond the scope of the paper. Originality/value – The paper is arguably the first to identify development paradoxes in implementation of government health and nutrition programmes in ANI. The paper poses further questions on unpacking the paradox of development in the islands. It urges policy makers and administrators to reconsider the efficacy of centrally sponsored schemes that are implemented without being contextualised for a small island economy like ANI.

The present study was carried out to determine the diversity, distribution and vegetative structure of mangroves of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI). The results suggest that mangroves of the ANI consist of 38 mangrove species belonging to 12 families and 19 genera, which includes 4 hybrids and 34 species. In other words, about 50% of the global mangrove species are present in ANI. Andaman Islands have 35 species and Nicobar Islands have 21 mangrove species. The average tree density in ANI is 1746/per hectare and varies from 487 to 2383 per hectare. The Shannon diversity index for the whole ANI is 2.94 and Simpson index is 0.07. Family Rhizophoraceae constitutes an important vegetative component in the mangroves of the ANI followed by Acanthaceae, Lythraceae and Malvaceae. Rhizophora spp. constitutes 19% of the Important Value Index (IVI) and R. apiculata is dominant in ANI. Among the eight forest divisions, mangrove diversity is high in South Andaman (30 species) followed by Middle Andaman (28), Mayabunder (25), Diglipur (25), Nicobar (21), Little Andaman (20), Havelock (20) and Baratang (20). The average mangrove plant density and Shannon diversity index (H’) is high in Middle Andaman (2101/hectare; H’ = 2.93). Species richness index (d’) is high in South Andaman (3.32). Evenness index (J’) is high in Little Andaman (0.92). Simpson dominance index (D) ranged between 0.07–0.1, and this agrees with the high diversity in mangroves of ANI. In all the divisions Rhizophora spp. constitutes a major vegetative component except, Diglipur and Nicobar. In Diglipur Bruguiera spp. are dominant, while in Nicobar Sonneratia spp. are dominant. The low similarity value of the Nicobar division with other divisions indicates the difference in floristic structure of mangroves of the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands. The present study also indicates that mangrove of ANI are more diverse in its species composition than the other mangrove habitats in India.

Small-scale fisheries are important for the livelihoods and food security of millions of people in low-income countries. Sustainably managing these dynamic social-ecological systems requires understanding links between ecosystems and human well-being: the focus of ecosystem service approaches. However, in-depth exploration of how co-production and temporal dynamics shape ecosystem benefits in small-scale fisheries remain nascent. There is thus an opportunity to better investigate pathways through which small-scale fisheries support food security. To address this gap, we ask how households allocate seafood landings across different uses, depending on supply and season. Using a daily survey, we collected panel data on landings from 15 households on Atauro Island, Timor-Leste, over six 1-week periods across three seasons, representing 630 survey days and 179 fishing trips. We found households mediate the pathways through which seafood contributes to food security. Specifically, the proportion of landings eaten, sold or shared changed with the amount landed and across seasons. As landings increased, households ate a smaller proportion and sold a greater proportion. The greatest proportion of landings were sold in the preparation season, when households save money to buy staple foods. Landings were shared with family and kin, reflecting the importance of seafood for social capital and community food security. Put broadly, households shaped a dynamic and non-linear (not directly proportional) relationship between service supply and benefits. Our findings demonstrate that seasonal context and livelihood priorities shape seafood provisioning benefits in small-scale fisheries. Careful consideration of temporal scale in ecosystem service assessments is critical for sustainable management of small-scale fisheries.

The small-scale tuna fisheries in Yaholu Village operated on a Fair Trade USA basis and non-Fair Trade basis. The study of sustainable management of small-scale tuna fisheries was conducted from May to July 2021. This study aimed to assess the sustainability status of tuna fisheries operated based on fair trade and non-fair and recommend a strategy for sustainable management strategy. Rapid appraisal for sustainable status and Drives, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) method was used to assess the tuna fishery’s sustainable status and management strategy. Overall, the sustainability for Fair trade was 73.51%, while for non-Fair Trade was 54.02%, the lowest dimension was institutional from non-Fair with a value of 32.82% from a 1 00% sustainable scale. The most sensitive attribute towards sustainability was the migratory range with a Root Mean Square of 6.46. According to DPSIR analysis, there were 5 strategies proposed for small-scale tuna fisheries sustainability at Yaholu Village.