Inclusive Management Through Gender Consideration in Small-Scale Fisheries: The Why and the How

Maricela De La Torre-Castro

doi:10.3389/fmars.2019.00156

Abstract

In a world in which ocean degradation is widespread and aggravated by the effects of climate change, there is a need to contribute with new management approaches to ameliorate the situation. Here, inclusive management is proposed as such an alternative. This contribution argues that including all genders in the management process is needed and the inclusion itself can generate new ways to solve problems. An assessment of findings from literature of the positive aspects when considering gender in environmental governance is presented and related to the specific situation of small-scale fisheries (SSF). These positive findings are explained in terms of 1) Participation, 2) Space, actors and activities, 3) Economic power, and 4) Equity and environmental stewardship. Further, a practical approach is taken and a model for gender inclusion in coastal/ocean management for SSF is presented and illustrated with a case of seagrass SSF in East Africa. The central argument is that in view of ongoing coastal/ocean degradation and the moderate governance and management success, it is worth trying management approaches that consciously and explicitly consider gender and diversity of actors. This will bring central actors (e.g. women not previously considered) into the management process and will provide the base for better governance and policy reform.

Highlights

In the current situation of ocean/coastal degradation as well as the uncertainty of human fate due to climate change (IPCC, 2018) it is urgent to provide new angles and solutions to ocean/coastal problems
Management and policy requires a new way of thinking and significant knowledge about how to understand gender both vis-à-vis nature and social relations
The text provides the basis for this argument; the why, based on evidence of previous experiences with other systems where gender inclusion has been positive and desirable, The inclusion of women has been found to be positive in terms of participation; space, actors and activities; economic power, as well as equity and environmental stewardship

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In the current situation of ocean/coastal degradation as well as the uncertainty of human fate due to climate change (IPCC, 2018) it is urgent to provide new angles and solutions to ocean/coastal problems. The key factors for understanding the gendered social-ecological situation were: (1) To have a spatial view of resources and resource users along the seascape, (2) To identify the key goods and services that differ between men and women, (3) To identify key ecosystems for subsistence and income provision, and (4) To identify management gaps and/or biases (see Table 1). Men earned more than women for all coastal/marine related activities Another key finding was that the importance and perception of ecological goods and services was gendered (recently the gendered nature of ecosystem services has been highlighted e.g., de la Torre-Castro et al, 2017; Fortnam et al, 2019; Nagoli et al, 2019).

Tailoring management plans

CONCLUSION

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE FUTURE