Spatially explicit action research for coastal fisheries management.

Tara N Lawrence,R S Bhalla,Ulrike Gertrud Munderloh

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0199841

Abstract

We worked with artisanal fisherfolk along the Coromandel coast in two districts of Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Pondicherry in South India to map and quantify catch, gear and crew details for all fishing craft along 120 km. Spatially explicit fisheries data were collected to understand the distribution of fishing effort and to identify high pressure fishing zones. Approximately 7,945 square kilometres of fishing grounds were surveyed and 3,427 fishing trips were observed using nine GPS enabled echo-sounders operated by fishermen. Data were visualised and non parametric statistical analysis revealed distinct patterns in fishing effort, high density fishing zones and large overlaps in zones between traditional, motorised and mechanised craft. Existing marine fishing regulations for the respective regions were also evaluated and violations were mapped. Results were presented in each of the villages and then in district wide meetings with community leaders to spur discussions on resource based conflicts and fisheries management. Our findings suggest that the present trajectory of resource over-exploitation, the use of destructive fishing methods combined with the lack of compliance to current regulations will lead to a collapse of the small scale fishing industry and further intensify conflicts within the community. Recommendations made by fishing community leaders are presented and their role in local fisheries management is discussed. This study is the first of its kind for this region and can easily be replicated at regional scales to develop a better understanding of the spatial extent and nature of small scale fisheries, including conflict, for the purpose of fisheries management.

Highlights

Small scale fisheries employ 90% of the people within the capture fisheries sector either directly or indirectly providing for over 200 million livelihoods [1, 2]
A summary of bottom depths, fishing distances and mesh sizes used by each fishery as characterised by gear and craft is presented in Tables 4 and 5
Fishing distances and bottom depths were significantly different between each fishery (KW chi-squared = 1111.5, df = 5, p-value

Summary

Introduction

Small scale fisheries employ 90% of the people within the capture fisheries sector either directly or indirectly providing for over 200 million livelihoods [1, 2]. The term “small scale” includes artisanal and traditional fisheries as well as more modern motorised and mechanised fisheries and exhibits diversity in terms of communities, catch, seasons and fishing techniques employed Another prominent characteristic of the small scale fishing sector is the numerous formal and informal organisational or institutional arrangements. India began in the early 1950s when the “blue revolution” brought with it the introduction of trawling and large scale motorisation of traditional craft resulting in increased catches [51] This rapid expansion of fishing fleets led to over exploitation of stocks within three decades and the phenomenon of “fishing down the food web” was evident across the country. The second objective was to engage the fishing community on their thoughts for local fisheries management via a series of co-management meetings in order to develop recommendations for local management

Ethics statement

Results

Discussion