Small-scale fisheries in the Philippines are characterized by various practices, diverse social identities, and multiple challenges that affect fishers’ well-being. While studies have identified various forms and causes of fishers’ vulnerabilities, less well studied is the role of insecure land tenure in shaping vulnerabilities. Using qualitative methods including seventeen focus group discussions and twenty semi-structured interviews, we investigated the case of migrant fishers situated in six villages in a coastal municipality in Palawan province. The study found that fishers live in geographically disadvantaged locations where they negotiated different land tenure arrangements with the landowners. These locations are significantly linked to poor access to safe drinking water, increased economic cost, and constant threat of eviction. Our study highlights the role of weak land tenure as a significant underlying driver of vulnerability for small-scale fishers, and one that functions as a mechanism for further marginalization in the context of emerging coastal squeeze. In the context of implementing global commitments under the FAO Small Scale Fisheries Guidelines, we suggest that interventions to reduce fishers’ vulnerabilities should include a clear and enforceable tenurial instrument or property right over coastal and foreshore lands for fishing communities.

Balancing fish supply, poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation and livelihoods in fisheries management requires a detailed understanding of fishing effort, catch and revenue dynamics. Here a ~27-year time series of ecological and economic data from Kenya's nearshore fisheries is analysed. Despite rising nominal fish prices and total fisheries revenue, increasing costs of living caused real incomes to decline, leading fishers to exit the fishery and aggregate incomes to stabilize just below national minimum wage thresholds. Reduced fishing effort contributed to partial recovery of fish biomass but failed to restore natural ecosystem structure or maximum production potential. Achieving both ecological recovery and social sustainability will require further rebuilding of fish populations to restore production capacity, fishing effort, livelihood diversity and living wages, while simultaneously meeting the growing societal demand for nutrient-rich fish.

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) represent a vital yet vulnerable sector, whose poverty is exacerbated by lack of social protection services (SPS). This study investigates the psychosocial drivers of participation in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), a critical community-based social protection mechanism in Ghana. Employing an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework, we analysed cross-sectional data from 507 small-scale fishers using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings indicate that perceived benefits significantly strengthen attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Notably, perceived behavioural control mediated the positive effects of benefits on both norms and attitudes. Counterintuitively, it also mediated the positive impact of perceived barriers on attitudes, suggesting that recognised obstacles may heighten motivational tension and strengthen resolve rather than diminish it. Behavioural intention is driven directly and indirectly by perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, and attitudes. These insights offer policymakers a behaviourally informed blueprint for designing targeted interventions to enhance social protections and resilience within SSFs.

Coastal communities in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal are perpetually exposed to hydro-metrological hazards. Cyclone Yaas (May 2021) caused catastrophic damage, not only to the physical landscape but also to the socio-economic fabric of the Shankarpur and Chandpur coastal tracts. This study evaluates the multi-dimensional vulnerability (social, economic, and infrastructural) of the coastal population and examines the nature of their recovery processes following the devastation caused by Cyclone Yaas. A micro-level investigative approach was adopted, combining primary household surveys and field observations. The study utilizes qualitative and quantitative data to assess damage to livelihoods (primarily fishing and salt-pan farming), housing structures, and local resources. Vulnerability was mapped by analyzing indicators such as income loss, displacement, and access to relief services. The findings reveal that the local economy, heavily dependent on marine fisheries and tourism, faced a near-total collapse post-cyclone due to saline water inundation and structural damage. Small-scale fishers and marginal farmers were identified as the most vulnerable groups with the lowest adaptive capacity. While immediate relief provided a temporary safety net, the long-term recovery is hindered by repeated embankment failures, loss of livestock, and a lack of diversified livelihood options. The study also highlights a significant shift in the local socio-economic structure due to forced migration in the aftermath. The research emphasizes that recovery is not merely about rebuilding infrastructure but requires a "Build Back Better" approach. It suggests implementing community based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) strategies, providing climate-resilient housing, and creating alternative livelihood opportunities to enhance the socio-economic resilience of the Purba Medinipur coast.

Small-scale fishers worldwide face compounded crises, yet vulnerability manifests differently across disruption types. Using 402 fishers’ surveys from Brazil, we contrast economic vulnerability pathways during an ecological disaster (oil spill) and a social crisis (COVID-19 pandemic), by combining income data with adaptation and perceived risk. Intersectional identities, not crisis type alone, determined vulnerability: gender drove disparities during the oil spill (women lost 2 times more income due to reliance on contaminated and low-value nearshore species). At the same time, age shaped pandemic impacts: while younger fishers incurred slightly larger proportional losses, older fishers maintained lower incomes and showed limited adaptative capacity. Pre-existing place-based inequities amplified both crises, accelerating entry into and intensification of hardship. We argue that equitable resilience requires crisis-tailored policies (e.g., gender-responsive support for ecological disasters; age-inclusive adaptation for health crises). Ignoring these intersectional pathways risks reinforcing marginalization in an era of compounding shocks.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face acute vulnerabilities in marine-dependent livelihoods due to declining fish stocks, environmental degradation, and limited economic diversification. While Digital Marine Technologies (DMTs) have been proposed as tools to enhance productivity and sustainability, the integrated mechanisms linking DMT adoption to livelihood outcomes remain under-explored, particularly the role of institutional support in moderating these effects. Addressing this gap, the present study examines how DMTs contribute to small-island livelihood resilience through economic and environmental pathways. Employing a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 750 respondents comprising small-scale fishers and cooperative managers across representative SIDS communities. The study tested complex relationships using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), allowing for simultaneous assessment of direct, mediated, and moderated effects within the proposed conceptual framework. The results indicate that DMT adoption exerts a significant positive direct effect on small-island livelihoods. Further, Productivity and Sustainable Practices were confirmed as significant mediators, demonstrating that technological benefits materialize through both enhanced economic performance and improved resource stewardship. Importantly, the positive impact of DMTs on livelihoods is strengthened under conditions of high Institutional Support, highlighting the conditional nature of technology effectiveness in these contexts. The study contributes theoretically by validating an integrated framework in which technological adoption, livelihood gains, and environmental sustainability are mutually reinforced and contingent on governance quality. Practically, the findings underscore that policy interventions in SIDS must go beyond technology provision, prioritizing institutional development, infrastructure investment, and capacity building to ensure equitable and sustainable livelihood improvements.

Policy coherence is essential for the successful realization of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.b, which advocates for the recognition and support of small-scale fishers (SSF) and their access rights to marine resources and markets. However, despite growing attention to blue economy frameworks in national planning, there remains a critical need to mainstream the SDG 14.b into community-level implementation and policy instruments. This paper presents a structured policy review of 11; national (3), county (2), and co-management planning (6) documents from Kenya, including the Blue Economy Strategic Plan (2023–2027), County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) for Kwale and Kilifi, and Joint Co-Management Area (JCMA) plans. The review focuses on two dimensions: Goal Interaction, adapted from the UN SDG Interactions Framework, and Vertical Coherence, guided by indicators derived from the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (VGSSF). The findings show that the Blue Economy Strategic Plan and JCMA plans demonstrated the strongest alignment with SSF priorities. While all documents referenced small-scale fishers, none made explicit mention of SDG 14.b, and county planning instruments fell short in integrating SDG indicators related to marine access and SSF governance. Coherence was notable in areas such as co-management, market access, and environmental sustainability, while they lacked tailored provisions for SSF in tenure rights, monitoring systems, and cross-sectoral impact assessment. This study offers recommendations to better integrate SDG 14 b across different policy instruments and governance opportunities for policy reform and research on SDG 14.b mainstreaming in fisheries and governance.

Large-bodied sharks, including the tiger shark ( Galeocerdo cuvier ), play crucial roles as top predators in marine ecosystems, regulating lower trophic-level populations and connecting ecosystems across vast distances. However, elasmobranchs, particularly highly migratory species, face significant threats, with over one-third of species threatened with extinction. In the Eastern Central Atlantic (ECA), a data-poor region for sharks and rays, prolific shark fisheries have led to severe declines in elasmobranch populations, highlighting the urgent need for conservation measures. This study presents the first tracking data for tiger sharks from the region and notably Cabo Verde, describing their movements within and outside the archipelago. Fishing surveys conducted between 2016 and 2019 captured and tagged 42 tiger sharks, revealing the presence of both juvenile and adult individuals. Satellite tracking of 12 individuals showed high variability in movement patterns, with some remaining near tagging sites while others undertook long-distance migrations, including a female shark tracked on a complete return migration to Brazil, representing the second-longest recorded movement and the first double trans-Atlantic journey for the species. The study underscores the importance of Cabo Verde as a habitat for tiger sharks throughout their life cycle in the ECA including Cabo Verde and suggests large-scale connectivity of populations across the Atlantic basin. However, the presence of threats such as unregulated small-scale and industrial fishing activities poses conservation challenges. Conservation efforts should focus on implementing effective management measures, notably in critical hotspot habitats, while addressing data deficiencies to ensure the long-term viability of tiger shark populations in the region.

This study investigated the coverage and shoot density of Posidonia oceanica seagrass in no-fishing zones, fishing zones, and ports within two Special Environmental Protection Areas (Gökova and Datça Bozburun) in Türkiye that are characterized by intense boating impacts (e.g., anchor damage, mechanical disturbance). The data were collected using information based on diving observations, as well as local ecological knowledge of divers, tour boat owners, and small-scale fishers. The goal was to identify threat factors affecting P. oceanica meadows, evaluate stakeholder observations, interactions, and awareness regarding the species, examine the role of no-fishing zones in its protection, and better understand the potential contributions of stakeholders to its monitoring. Combining ecological metrics with stakeholder perspectives, the present study sought to contribute to the holistic evaluation of P. oceanica in marine protected areas. The results revealed that, in the no-fishing zones of Gökova, the coverage and shoot density of P. oceanica were higher than in the fishing zone, while in Datça Bozburun; furthermore, the coverage and shoot density were found to be relatively high in the fishing zone. Nearly half of the small-scale fishers operating in permitted fishing zones reported that P. oceanica meadows are their preferred fishing habitat. Furthermore, 81% of tour boat owners stated that they anchor in P. oceanica meadows during their tours, with an average of 3 ± 1 anchorages per day. The interviewed stakeholders also reported possessing a strong awareness of the species and being well-positioned to actively contribute to its monitoring. The study concludes with a discussion of management tools needed to protect seagrass meadows in the areas requiring regular monitoring.

Energy efficiency in small-scale fishing boats has become a critical issue due to their high dependence on fossil fuels, rising operational costs, and environmental impacts. Fishing boats less than 5 GT generally operate with fluctuating engine loads, potentially reducing energy conversion performance. This study aims to analyze the energy conversion efficiency of fishing boats operating in Bali Province. The research method uses a descriptive-quantitative approach through field studies. Primary data were obtained from measurements of fuel consumption, engine power and speed, electrical load, and operating duration at each stage of the boat's activities, while secondary data came from technical documents and operational logbooks. Efficiency analysis was conducted by comparing the input energy from diesel fuel and the output energy in the form of mechanical and electrical energy. The results show that energy consumption is dominated by the propulsion system, especially during the cruising phase. The total energy conversion efficiency is still relatively low, ranging from 22%–30%, and decreases during the maneuvering and fishing phases due to partial engine loads. These findings suggest that improvements in operational efficiency and engine maintenance are needed to reduce fuel consumption, reduce operational costs, and support the aspirations of small-scale fishing.

ABSTRACT India’s fisheries sector has expanded rapidly under initiatives such as the Blue Revolution and the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, positioning the country as the world’s second-largest fish producer and supporting millions of livelihoods. However, growing pressures on freshwater and coastal ecosystems, coupled with climate impacts, ecological risks, infrastructure gaps, and limited community participation, threaten aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and social equity. Production-oriented growth, if poorly aligned with sustainability principles, may undermine long-term conservation and resilience. Drawing on existing evidence and policy experience, this letter highlights key concerns and policy-relevant gaps in India’s fisheries and aquaculture expansion. We emphasize the need for science-based, participatory, and adaptive management that integrates conservation objectives, climate resilience, and inclusive governance. Strengthening the role of local communities, particularly small-scale fishers and women’s groups, is essential for stewardship, compliance, and ensuring environmentally sustainable and socially equitable fisheries development.

Small coastal settlements rely heavily on marine ecosystems yet are highly exposed to climate variability, market shocks, and resource depletion. This study evaluates the social resilience and livelihood vulnerability of small-scale fishers in Kabila Bone subdistrict, Bone Bolango Regency, using the multi-aspect sustainability analysis framework. We surveyed 91 fisher households across nine villages through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews, and constructed a composite sustainability index across five livelihood capitals. Results indicate that natural capital is the most sustainable (75.0%), followed by human (70.0%), social (60.0%), and physical (55.5%) capital, while financial capital scores the lowest (37.5%). These findings suggest that inclusive financial services, cold-chain and transport upgrades, and targeted capacity-building through local institutions are priorities to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity.

The oil spill disaster that affected 11 states along the Brazilian coast in 2019/2020 is considered the largest in Brazil's history, with approximately five tons of oil residues collected. Small-scale fishers (SSF) were the group at greatest risk of exposure. This article describes the study design and questionnaire validation of the first epidemiological study in Brazil aimed at investigating the potential health effects of this disaster on SSF. The questionnaire was validated using the Delphi method and consists of 325 questions organized into 13 sections: identification and control, general information, socioeconomic conditions and living situation, work history and organization, fishing activities during the spill, exposure related to spill cleanup, seafood consumption, perceived impacts of the spill, clinical measurements, additional health information, lifestyle, quality of life, and COVID-19. The study design incorporated community engagement approaches. The results will enable the assessment of associations between oil exposure and health outcomes, the monitoring of long-term health effects in this population, and the analysis of the occupational and socioeconomic impacts of the disaster.

Co-management in small-scale fisheries serves as a strategic approach to bridge the needs of various stakeholders, especially in the complex and high-value management of Tuna fisheries. One form of co-management facilitated by Masyarakat dan Perikanan Indonesia (MDPI) is the Fisheries Co-Management Committee (FCMC). This study aims to explore fisher's perceptions of the impact of FCMC on efforts to improve Tuna fisheries in Buru and Central Maluku Regencies, Maluku Province. A qualitative phenomenological approach was chosen for this research. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 30% representation of the total Tuna fisher involved in FCMC. The unit of analysis, fisher's perceptions, was examined using the Advocacy Coalition Framework, revealing that fisher interpret FCMC as a vital and necessary dialogue forum between fisher and relevant stakeholders in Tuna fisheries management. Overall, FCMC is considered to have a positive function as a bridge between fishers and authorities; however, there is a need for strengthening in terms of forum sustainability, consistency of policy implementation, and the genuine involvement of government parties in the field.

Despite the continued use of traditional wooden fishing vessels by small-scale fishers in Indonesia, such vessels exhibit inherent limitations in durability, maintenance requirements, and seaworthiness under adverse marine conditions, which directly affect safety and operational efficiency. This study proposes a conceptual design of a 5–8 GT steel-hulled purse seiner fishing vessel constructed using thin steel plates to enhance safety, structural resilience, and sustainability. The research methodology involves the development of a conceptual vessel design with improved resistance to extreme weather conditions, while complying with applicable national and international standards, including classification rules and maritime safety regulations. The design process emphasizes overall vessel configuration, arrangement of main systems, and material selection to achieve efficient and robust construction. The use of thin steel plates is intended to support lightweight construction while maintaining structural strength and durability. The proposed design aims to reduce accident risks and improve operational safety at sea. The results of this study are expected to provide a practical reference for modern fishing vessel design and to support adoption by small- and medium-scale shipyards, contributing to improved safety and sustainability within Indonesian coastal fishing communities.

Chapter: "Digital Payment Systems and Financial Inclusion for the Blue Economy"

ABSTRACT The utilization of financial technology (fintech) has become a key driver in transforming coastal economies that traditionally have limited access to formal financial services. This community service program focuses on implementing fintech innovations to promote economic independence and food security among coastal communities in Malang. Through education and mentoring activities, the program introduces various fintech applications such as digital payments, micro-investment platforms, and peer-to-peer lending that can be adopted by small-scale fishers and seafood processing entrepreneurs. In addition to improving digital financial literacy, the program facilitates collaboration among coastal communities, financial institutions, and fintech providers to build an inclusive digital economic ecosystem. The adoption of fintech is expected to expand access to capital, accelerate transactions, and strengthen local food supply chains. Ultimately, this initiative aims to create a more adaptive and resilient coastal economy while supporting sustainable food security in the Malang region.

Small-scale fisheries are vital for food security and livelihood in coastal communities but remain highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This study assessed the resilience of small-scale fishers (SSF) in Baganga, Davao Oriental, Philippines, their perceptions, adaptive strategies, and support regarding fisher resilience. Using a semi-structured questionnaire ( N = 50), the authors conducted face-to-face interviews among the fishers of Baculin in Baganga. Four focus groups ( N = 4) composed of 10 to 15 fishers and secondary literature were used to validate the findings of the study. The study identified major climate hazards, for example, typhoons, sea-level rise, flooding, strong winds, and erratic weather patterns affecting the lives of fishers and their families. Our findings revealed that while fishers were aware of climate change impacts and employed coping strategies such as livelihood diversification (driving motor vehicles after fishing, involvement in farm weeding, working as a laborer in construction activities), their resilience was limited by poor social networks, and infrastructure, lack of market access, and insufficient alternative income opportunities. The local government unit assisted by giving financial aid and food packs during times of disasters, but lacked proper training that could enhance their awareness and disaster preparedness for the fishing communities. Their resilience can be enhanced by strengthening fisher cooperatives, providing training and seminars, and improving port, road, and market infrastructure. These findings contribute to localized climate adaptation planning for vulnerable coastal communities like the small-scale fishers of Baganga.

The present study examines the development of small-scale fishing as a fundamental economic pillar for coastal communities along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast during the extended period of the Middle Ages and the subsequent post-mediaeval period. The topic goes far beyond the simple study of economic activity, revealing the resilience and adaptability of local populations in the face of dynamic historical change. The key to a full understanding of this tradition lies in the application of a multidisciplinary approach that skillfully combines archaeological, historical and ethnographic data. The article examines the significance of fishing as a vital economic sector for coastal communities. Archaeozoological bone material from mediaeval sites such as Durankulak, Kastritsi, Petrich Kale and Akra, spanning residential levels from the 5th–6th centuries to the early 15th century, provides direct evidence of the types of fish that were caught and consumed. Ancient and mediaeval written historical sources complete the picture, offering context for the trade and regulation of fishing. Post-mediaeval graffiti and wall paintings from Nessebar serve as a visual ethnography, illustrating boats, fishing techniques and the daily lives of fishermen. This rich source material allows the study to analyze the importance of fishing as a key economic sector that provided not only a livelihood but also a basis for trade with the interior of the country and beyond. The study reveals the remarkable continuity and sustainability of traditional methods passed down through generations. Local communities have developed effective strategies for the exploitation of marine resources, which underlines the intensive and constant use of the sea as a source of livelihood. Particular attention is paid to the rational economic chain of the past. Back then, fishermen and their families were directly involved in the entire process – from catching to processing and selling the final product. The results of the study contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the daily life and economic activity of the population along the Bulgarian coast during these historical eras. They demonstrated that the identity of the local West Pontic community is closely intertwined with the sea. Based on historical models, a rational economic chain is proposed for reconstruction in the present day. Through more in-depth studies based on archaeological and ethnographic data, the connections between people and the sea can not only be better understood but also serve as a model for the sustainable development of modern small-scale fishing, which is essential for preserving the cultural identity of coastal areas.

Despite growing interest in Blue Economy policy, empirical studies that integrate TOE and NRBV perspectives to explain how technological, organizational, regulatory, and natural-resource factors jointly shape supply-chain sustainability and small-scale fishers’ livelihood resilience, particularly in Indonesian coastal communities, remain scarce. This study develops and tests an integrated Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) and Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) framework to design an inclusive Blue Economy model in the southern coastal region of Malang, Indonesia. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on survey data from 150 small-scale fishing households across Sendangbiru, Tambakrejo, and Sitiarjo, the research investigates the interplay between technological adoption, organizational capacity, regulatory support, supply chain risk, cost perception, and environmental awareness. Findings indicate that the six factors significantly enhance both Blue Economy investment and livelihood resilience, which in turn drive sustainable supply chain performance. Livelihood resilience exerts the strongest influence, highlighting the critical role of social capital, adaptive capacity, and resource sustainability in shaping inclusive development. The integrated TOE–NRBV model provides a robust analytical and practical framework for strengthening small-scale fisheries within global sustainability transitions.