Abstract
Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) have been playing a crucial role in meeting the basic needs of millions of people around the world. Despite this, the sustainability of global fisheries is a growing concern, and the factors enabling or constraining the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries remain poorly understood. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) is the single most valuable species harvested in Bangladesh waters, serves nutrition, income, and employment to the large population. This study analyzed the state and challenges of hilsa fishery in the Gangetic River systems (Padma and Meghna Rivers) by using two frameworks, namely the social-ecological systems (SES) and drivers-pressure-state-impact-responses (DPSIR) frameworks. Primary data for this analysis were collected by in-depth interviews (n = 130) and focus group discussions (n = 8) with various stakeholders in the hilsa fisheries. The perspectives explored here have been both critical and constructive, including the identification of problems and suggestions for improving the management of this particular social-ecological system. Hilsa fisheries, however, have come under severe threat since 2003 because of population growth, overfishing, pollution, climate change, the disruption of migration routes due to siltation, etc. All these have caused reduced catches and less stable incomes for fishers. This, in turn, has led to poverty, malnutrition, social tensions, stakeholder conflicts, and debt cycles amongst more impoverished fishing communities. These problems have been compounded by improved fishing technology amongst larger-scale ventures, the use of illegal fishing gears, and the non-compliance of government fishery management programs. Recommendations include the promotion of community-supported fisheries, the enhancement of stakeholder’s social resilience, the introduction of co-management approach, an increase in incentives and formal financial supports, and possible community-managed sustainable ecotourism including hilsa fishing-based tourism.
Highlights
Fishing is one of the primary global industries that supports local livelihoods, food security, and human health, even when carried out at the small scale [1]
The results suggest that the main driving forces for less catching by fishers are the use of illegal fishing gear, overpopulation in the coastal areas, overfishing, the harvesting of juveniles, river water pollution, climate change, dam constructions in the upstream, and the cross-border smuggling of hilsa
These have led both to compromise with management strategies as well as disincentives and further pressures on the hilsa fishery
Summary
Fishing is one of the primary global industries that supports local livelihoods, food security, and human health, even when carried out at the small scale [1]. The sustainability of global fisheries is a growing concern, and the factors that enabling and constraining the responsible management of SSFs remain poorly understood [3]. Many fisheries suffer from an excess of fishing, which endangers their long-term existence. This is challenging in SSFs settings because controlling access is stimulating [5]. The implementation of proper management practices and the support of local economies are expected to ease the pressure on domestic fish stocks, which in turn is likely to result in an increased food security and an improved quality of life for the local communities [7]
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