Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries Research Articles

Critical Connections: Transdisciplinary Capacity and Youth Engagement for Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and Coastal Communities

As the global push for sustainable development intensifies, public and private actors in fisheries and ocean management are encouraged to support United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, “Life Below Water.” For those involved in small-scale fisheries (SSF), the emphasis must shift toward “life above water” (Jentoft, 2019), reflecting the complex social, cultural, and heritage values that define these communities. To create lasting SSF sustainability, programs must be inclusive and community-driven. This shift requires transdisciplinary capacity building and youth engagement, fostering experience sharing and collaboration for transformation. Initiatives like Too Big To Ignore and Coast 2 Coast take this approach, focusing on relationship building, shared responsibility, and inclusive engagement to shape meaningful, grounded change.

Sustainability of Small-Scale Capture Fisheries Based on Coastal Vulnerability in Pangpang Bay, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia

Graphical Abstract Highlight Research Climate change impacts on coastal vulnerability. Low coastal vulnerability in Pangpang Bay, Banyuwangi Regency. Sustainability of small-scale capture fisheries based on vulnerability. Sustainable small-scale fisheries management. Abstract Teluk Pangpang is one of the water areas that has considerable capture fisheries potential in Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. On the other hand, climate change impacts the vulnerability of coastal areas and coastal communities, especially small-scale fishers. This study aims to analyse the coastal vulnerability of Pangpang Bay and formulate a sustainable development of small-scale capture fisheries in Pangpang Bay. The research method used a descriptive method with a quantitative approach. Data collection techniques used geographic information systems and focus group discussions (FGDs). The data analysis used was Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) analysis with spatial approach and Participatory Prospective Analysis (PPA). From the CVI analysis, through the assessment of geomorphological parameters, erosion/accretion, coastal slope, distance of plants from the beach, wave height, and average tide range, the level of coastal vulnerability of Teluk Pangpang is included in the low category. Meanwhile, the PPA analysis resulted in seven variables that most influence the sustainability of small-scale capture fisheries, namely climate change, coastal vulnerability, coral reef area and density, number of small-scale fishers, catches, human resources of small-scale fishers, and management of small-scale fisheries resources. Furthermore, for the formulation of the sustainability scenario of small-scale capture fisheries in Pangpang Bay, is to minimise the impact of climate change and conduct disaster mitigation, improve the human resources of small-scale fishers, and equalise perceptions as outlined in the commitment between all interested parties and small-scale fishing communities.

The dynamics of social-ecological interactions in the PAAP (fisheries access management area) Taluk Lasolo Region, North Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province: A comprehensive approach to sustainable renewal

Abstract This research aims to study the dynamics of social-ecological interactions in the Teluk Lasolo PAAP (Fisheries Access Management Area) in North Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. The study adopts a comprehensive approach to sustainable development, utilizing Social-Ecological Network Analysis (SENA). The Teluk Lasolo PAAP area is a complex environment with small-scale fisheries as a crucial component of the coastal ecosystem. Using the SENA method, this research analyzes the interactions between social and ecological dimensions in the context of fisheries management based on access rights. The study also considers economic aspects, governance, and resource utilization within the social-ecological network. The case study is conducted in the Teluk Lasolo area to understand the complex dynamics among various stakeholders, fishing communities, and the coastal ecosystem. The findings of this research will provide profound insights and knowledge about the factors influencing the sustainability of small-scale fisheries and offer recommendations for sustainable updates in fisheries resource management in the region. In conclusion, this research highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach involving social-ecological interactions in managing small-scale fisheries. The results of this study are expected to make a positive contribution to the development of sustainable fisheries management strategies in the Teluk Lasolo PAAP area and other coastal regions. Kata kunci : Kawasan PAAP Teluk Lasolo, Jejaring Sosial-Ekologi, Perikanan Skala Kecil, Pengelolaan Perikanan Berbasis Hak akses Perikanan.

Socio-economic status of small-scale fisheries in central Philippines

This study aims to investigate the socio-economic aspects of small-scale fishers in Barangay Bonawon, Siaton, Negros Oriental, Central Philippines, utilizing a descriptive survey method. The research focuses on assessing the practices, challenges, and income of small-scale fishers registered under FishR, a DA-BFAR Juan Magsasaka registry, and beneficiaries of the TARGET, SAAD projects, and DA-BFAR livelihood assistance initiatives. In addition, the lack of data hampers the understanding of small-scale fisheries' socio-economic status and activities, prompting the researcher to pursue this study. After administering the survey questionnaire, appropriate statistical tools were employed for data analysis. Results reveal the prevalent use of traditional fishing methods, such as “paanod” (drifting gill net), hook and lines, and “ali” (barricade gill net), due to their ease of construction, use, operation, and cost-effectiveness. Their income levels vary due to uncertainties and challenges, such as declining fish resources, climate change, lack of education and facilities, weak law enforcement, and fluctuating market demand. The study's findings inspire policymakers, NGOs, and government agencies to implement a comprehensive approach addressing issues through education, alternative livelihood development, improved fishing infrastructure, strengthened law enforcement, and sustainable fisheries management practices. This approach aims to ensure the resilience and sustainability of small-scale fisheries, promoting the well-being of communities and marine ecosystems.

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

The present study addresses the crucial sustainability concerns in small-scale fisheries (SSF) against the backdrop of escalating anthropogenic activities and climate change impacts on marine fishery and ecosystems. Our study focused on a traditional fishery exploitation area spanning 12,646.12 km2 along the Southwestern Coast of Kerala, India, and explored four widely used fishing gears. We established an integrated decision-making VIKOR framework, and preferential modelling by incorporating techno-economic and environmental aspects to draw the optimal solutions. Leveraging 10 sustainability indicators, the boat seine emerged as the most sustainable gear, showcasing significant profitability (US$ 16,126/year−1 net profit) and remarkable energy efficiency, surpassing gillnetters, longliners, and shore seiners by 8.4, 4.9, and 3.0 times, respectively. The Fuel Use Intensity (FUI) and CO2 emissions analysis (F value = 58.37, P < 0.0001) emphasizes the ecological implications. The developed VIKOR sustainability index, introduced in this study, effectively assesses gear efficiency and sustainability. Further, the study revealed that gear selectivity, technical specifications, and operational trajectories considerably influence the index dynamics. This research aligns with the global commitment to the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines) and contributes scientifically to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By bridging empirical rigor with international frameworks, the study could aid in sustainable fisheries management and environmental stewardship, deemed essential for the global pursuit of ecological, economic, and social sustainability in small-scale fisheries.

Nebrius ferrugineus (Chondrichthyes: Orectolobiformes: Ginglymostomatidae) record and the role of citizen science for conservation in Morotai North Maluku Indonesia

Nebrius ferrugineus, or tawny nurse shark, is a species of carpet shark distributed across the tropical Indo-Pacific region. This species has little species-specific information on biology and fisheries. The tawny nurse shark is listed as “Vulnerable” on IUCN Redlist and is rarely seen, recorded, and studied in Indonesia. We recorded this species during SCUBA diving in Morotai waters in April 2022. Recorded live encounters by SCUBA diving activities in Indonesia are even more scarce. In Morotai, North Maluku, this species anecdotally exists by reports from SCUBA divers, however, have not been documented very well. Scientific record of this species is highly important for conservation and habitat management. The government of Indonesia also recognised the significance of biodiversity and potential marine tourism in Morotai by declaring 65,520.75 hectares of Marine Protected Area (MPA) named Taman Wisata Perairan (TWP) Pulau Rao - Tanjung Dehegila. This MPA focuses on protecting marine biodiversity, historical object preservation (World War II underwater relics) and sustainable small-scale fisheries. However, species-specific protection for tawny nurse sharks does not exist in Indonesia. In Morotai, where this species is recorded, marine protected areas are only effective in conserving shark if it is sufficiently large, well-enforced, and monitored.

Capacity deficit and marginalisation of artisanal fishers hamper effective fisheries governance in Ghana: Insights and propositions for promoting sustainable small-scale fisheries

Ghana’s artisanal small-scale fisheries (SSF) is collapsing despite the existence of numerous governance structures and regulatory and policy frameworks for the development of the sector. To sustainably manage the SSF, a deeper understanding of the complexity of its governance and the precursors for transformation is imperative. Using a qualitative approach and non-probability sampling techniques, we unravel the inherent and exogenous factors driving capacity deficit in SSF governance groups and how this cascades into their marginalisation and consequent disharmony, challenging effective governance and sustainable management of the sector. Low level of formal education, long-held perception of the fishery as a traditional heritage that requires no formalised management regime, lack of structured training in fisheries management for the leadership, and the leadership selection process were identified as the main areas of capacity deficit in the artisanal sector. Artisanal fishers felt inadequately engaged in the fisheries decision-making processes and uninformed about fisheries laws and policies; stemming from a predominantly top-down governance dispensation. The current dispensation discourages grassroots participation and compliance during policy implementation, which has led to the further marginalisation of artisanal fishers, causing disharmony in the industry and ultimately steering overexploitation of the marine small pelagic fishery to the brink of collapse. We make propositions for effective and transformational governance reforms to promote sustainable fisheries in Ghana’s SSF sector, principally capacity building, inclusion, leadership selection reforms, and co-management.

Assessment of women's contribution in small‐scale fisheries in Indian Sundarbans: Issues, strategies, and way forward for sustainability

AbstractIn five islands of Indian Sundarbans, issues were identified related to women fishers associated with small‐scale fisheries (SSF) and strategies were formulated to address them in the context of “Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small‐Scale Fisheries” formulated by FAO being followed by signatory nations. Women were actively involved in different fisheries‐related sectors for earning their livelihoods. Despite the significant contribution of women in livelihood and nutritional security, their roles are often unrecognized leading to unfair distribution of benefits between men and women. The strategic and practical gender constraints were identified; “lack of awareness and low social participation” was the major factor as perceived by women fishers with the highest score (86.06). It was identified that gender‐sensitive extension approaches, training methodologies, and region‐specific appropriate technologies are to be applied to uplift the women members of the fishers' community associated with SSF. The aforesaid findings may be considered as precursors for formulating location‐specific strategies to address the gender gap and to create gender equality in SSF that will lead to increased productivity and sustainability of SSF across the world.

Combining social network analysis and ethnography to better understand fishers’ organization and promote sustainable small-scale fisheries in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

Given the importance of coral reef ecosystems to not only the health, livelihoods, and well-being of individuals and communities throughout the world, but also to global biodiversity, it is critical to improve our understanding of coral reef small scale fisheries (SSF) as social-ecological systems (SES). When examined using a SES approach, SSF operate within coupled-feedbacks with their surrounding marine ecosystems, and environmental outcomes depend upon interactions among a variety of social, ecological, and institutional factors. In a SES context, social network analysis (SNA) can illuminate how structure and process contribute to governance successes or failures among actors and natural resource systems. To address gaps in understanding what factors impact community cohesion, the flow of information, and potential for collective action in SSF, SNA was combined with rich ethnographic data focused on fishers in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Results suggest that fishers in St. Croix are not organized into one cohesive group, and that demographic and fishing-related attributes influence group membership in non-uniform ways. These findings align with and build on recent work on SSF, but further demonstrate that the processes that influence the formation and maintenance of ties among fishers are complex and potentially site-specific. This makes it challenging to come to meaningful conclusions related to the potential for collective action based on SNA alone, but highlights the important role that in-depth ethnographic and other qualitative data can play.

Fisheries tenure arrangement in China: Legislative ambiguity, judicial settlement conflicts, and the gap in protecting traditional fishers’ rights

With fish stocks declining and fishing control improving, the delineation of rights and restrictions over fisheries resources for small-scale fisheries needs to be attached with more attention globally. As China’s social and economic environment changes, Chinese traditional fishers have also been facing growing challenges in maintaining their customary fisheries operation. With this as the core issue to be addressed, this paper examines the legislative status of fisheries tenure rights in China and the judicial opinions on disputes involving overlapping users’ rights to fisheries-related resources. It adopts a qualitative empirical analysis by reviewing two cases between long-practicing fishers and other entities and by generalizing nine other cases with similar factual backgrounds. It finds that the ambiguous tenure rights legislation in China cannot provide a solid basis for Chinese traditional fishers to affect fisheries-related decision-making processes. As a result, Chinese courts give incompatible judgments without sufficient consideration of traditional fishers’ customary tenure rights. A normative analysis of traditional fishers’ tenure arrangement in China is also rendered, mainly by drawing on the guidelines of FAO on sustainable small-scale fisheries. Then, this article provides suggestions for legislative improvement with a human rights dimension, including enhancing traditional fishers’ participation in decision-making processes and strengthening their property rights protection. This article offers a new perspective on the relationship between traditional fishers’ well-being, administrative powers, and legislative and judicial protections.

Capacities and gaps in Caribbean fisherfolk organization leadership

Organizational leadership is one of the most important roles for both women and men in the fishing industry. Empowerment of fisherfolk organization and strengthening or development of their capacity, especially in relation to leadership, is important to the successful implementation of the 2014 Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines) and the realization of sustainable fisheries and stewardship. Leadership is a challenging and relatively recent fisheries research topic, and gender is poorly documented in Caribbean fisheries. The deficiency of knowledge on leadership and gender was addressed through fisherfolk organization leader assessments to assist in understanding capacities and gaps in Caribbean fisherfolk organization leadership for informing gender and other aspects of overall SSF Guidelines implementation. Our work contributes to a baseline of knowledge on fisher organization leaders in the region. It confirms some already known information on fisherfolk organizations, documenting this and new information. Dimensions such as decision-making, gender, participation, governance, education and assets relevant to fisherfolk leadership are covered in the leadership profile developed. We discuss the implications of this preliminary and exploratory applied research for Caribbean fisheries in the context of the SSF Guidelines, and a way forward.

CLUSTERING CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL-SCALE CAPTURE FISHERIES IN PRIGI, EAST JAVA

Small-scale capture fisheries condition is multi gear and multispecies has an impact on increasing the pressure of fish condition. The information related to fisheries resource status is very essential in order to build sustainable fisheries management planning. This study aims to analyze the level of fishing gear productivity, clustering of fishing gear based on the number of catch fish in Prigi, East Java. These study results are expected as sustainable small-scale fisheries management recommendations. This research methods were used the analyzed of diversity by Shannon-Wiener index, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and clustering of fishing gear based on a combination between principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster. The results showed that the composition of the catch in each fishing gear was varied. The highest diversity of fish used gillnet as fishing gear. In general, the type of fishing gear with the most catches in AFP Prigi is handline, meanwhile scoop net became the highest CPUE of fishing. Clustering of fishing gear tends to be the same with varying proximity and gillnet fishing gear is a fishing gear that tends not to group with other tools. This study resulted that the clustering of fishing gear tends not to change in the last 10 years, however the correlation between groups are dynamic and this case has an impact on the variations of catch fish and fishing gear productivity.

Ecosystem modeling to evaluate the ecological sustainability of small-scale fisheries: A case study from El Hierro, Canary Islands

This paper examines various fishery management scenarios based on the recovery of small-scale fisheries (SSF) following a submarine volcanic eruption in 2011 in El Hierro Island (Canary Islands, Spain). After this catastrophic event, the SSF composition of La Restinga fishing community was affected by socio-economic and demographic changes. The uncertainty derived from this situation provides an opportunity to evaluate the fisheries’ sustainability and advice on different management options under an ecosystem-based approach. The Ecopath with Ecosim modeling framework was used to build a model of El Hierro Island, where the versatile and traditional multispecies small-scale fleet of La Restinga operates. Our main goal is to improve traditional fisheries, based on the relevance of key local fisheries and multi-specific fishery strategies in the light of scientific knowledge. Temporal simulations for the next decade were analyzed by creating scenarios of alternative fishing effort distributions based on the fishing trends observed in El Hierro small-scale community of La Restinga after a natural hazard. The outcomes of this modeling prototype show the vulnerability of some littoral and demersal species, the resilience of migratory species, and the sustainability of SSF diversification practices. These results could develop an adaptive and co-management strategy with the local fishing community to preserve the small-scale fishing system and marine resources.

Decent work in a seascape of livelihoods: Regional evaluation of the shrimp and groundfish fishery of the Guianas-Brazil shelf

With growing evidence of labor violations and exploitative working conditions in fisheries, ensuring decent work is imperative to protect fishers and fishworkers in the global seafood sector. This study provides the first evaluation of decent work in a shared, transboundary fishery – the shrimp and groundfish fishery of the Guianas-Brazil Shelf. Decent work in fisheries has gained increasing attention and research, yet gaps exist in our understanding of the elements of decent work, how we evaluate it, and how to enable decent work. To date, there has been limited analysis of decent work in a range of geographies and diverse fisheries contexts, including small-scale fisheries and transboundary fisheries. This study will address this gap by evaluating decent work, utilizing a new fishery-specific, holistic evaluation framework drawing from existing frameworks including the ILO Work in Fishing Convention (C188), the Monterey Framework for Social Responsibility, and the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries. This evaluation details country-level challenges that put fishers and fishworkers at risk in their occupation, including illegal fishing, vessel safety, and worker representation. This paper concludes with recommendations, to be advanced with a transboundary, regional approach, to ensure decent work and strengthen existing progress, including 1) addressing widespread illegal activities, 2) adopting fisheries-specific standards like C188, 3) implementing and enforcing policies at the country and regional level, and 4) ensuring worker representation and participation leveraging cooperatives and collectives.

Sustainable small-scale fisheries can help people and the planet.

Sustainable small-scale fisheries can help people and the planet.

Small-Scale Fisheries Sustainability: Progress and Challenges

Small-Scale Fisheries Sustainability: Progress and Challenges

Bycatch Dynamics from a Small-Scale Shrimp Trap Fishery in the Mediterranean Sea

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) in the Mediterranean and Black seas play a significant social and economic role, representing 84% of the fishing fleet (70,000 vessels), 26% of total revenue (USD 633 million) and 60% of total employment (150,000 people), with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently taking important initiatives to sustain livelihoods. Effective management of important natural fisheries resources that sustain livelihoods requires a holistic approach accounting for all parts of the catch. Quantitative data on seasonal catch dynamics together with classification of bycatch species to IUCN vulnerability status and associated revenues from retained incidental catch were used to reveal the effect of a small-scale shrimp trap fishery on bycatch. We use three main quantitative variables (i.e., density, biomass and number of bycatch species) and show a positive correlation between bycatch and the seasonal catch dynamics of the target species during late spring and summer. On the contrary, discards were proportionally lower during winter, with the majority of discarded fish species not considered endangered. Six retained species in spring–summer and five discarded species in winter were found to modulate the structure of species’ assemblage. Out of 55 bycatch species, 26 were retained and 29 discarded. Only four species were considered threatened, all of which were caught in very low numbers (&lt;2 individuals), while the majority of the retained species was not considered endangered. The rapid sorting time (&lt;1 min/per trap) pointed towards a decreased effect on certain discarded crustacean species and a significant reduction in total bycatch with timely haul time (from 71 to 47%). The results of this study can be used when considering future mitigation measures for this fishery, while the methodology used can provide insights into the management of similar trap fisheries worldwide when taking into account the sustainability of SSFs and the regional vulnerability status of bycatch species.

Legal Reflections on the Small-Scale Fisheries Guidelines: Building a Global Safety Net for Small-Scale Fisheries

Abstract The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication, endorsed by the Committee on Fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2014, heightened the recognition and protection of small-scale fisheries globally. The guidelines are voluntary and non-binding, but does this mean they have no normative significance or legal force? Based on international legal theories of soft law, this article explores the legal status of the guidelines and argues that the guidelines have normative significance and legal force for three main reasons: (i) the legitimate process of development and adoption of the guidelines; (ii) the normative content of the provisions; and (iii) their law-making effects at various levels of governance. The guidelines contribute to building a global safety net for small-scale fisheries, which should continue to improve and expand thus securing the sector’s sustainability worldwide.

Interactive Learning and Governance Transformation for Securing Blue Justice for Small-Scale Fisheries

In the “Future We Want,” states and non-state actors are invited to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals through various means and mechanisms. This includes securing justice for the most marginalized and disadvantaged sectors like small-scale fisheries, whose rights and access to resources are threatened by Blue Economy/Growth initiatives. While strong and just institutions are imperative to securing sustainable small-scale fisheries, they are not sufficient conditions for obtaining justice. As illustrated in this paper, justice must be secured in the daily interactions between small-scale fisheries actors and other stakeholders, including governments, by means of interactive learning and involving governance transformation.

Disentangling tourism impacts on small-scale fishing pressure

Tourism and small-scale fisheries are two of the most important economic sectors in coastal areas around the world, yet the impact of tourism development on fisheries is understudied within the SSF literature. Studies have documented various aspects of tourism-fishery interactions, but it is not clear how they combine to impact total fishing pressure. The addition of alternative livelihoods is widely expected to alleviate pressure on fisheries resources, yet rural development transitions often accelerate exploitation of natural resources. This paper analyzes how tourism development impacts community-level fishing pressure through a comparative case study of fishing behavior and livelihood engagement in seven neighboring fishing communities in the Colombian Pacific, using space-for-time substitution to estimate change over time. Findings indicate that while tourism development leads to a decline in fishery participation, this decline can be more than offset by increases in fishing effort and improvements in fishing methods. This is related to an overall pattern of livelihood specialization and intensification that results in a divergence of household-level fishing behavior – between those that exit the fishery and those that fish more intensively – and an increase in community-wide fishing pressure. However, impacts vary from place to place due to contextual factors in the biophysical environment and socio-political systems that shape how tourism development affects fishing behavior and whether or not it is likely to benefit sustainable small-scale fisheries. These findings can be used to support place-based assessments in order to anticipate impacts, proactively design fisheries management, and inform more sustainable tourism development planning.