Journal
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
Volume 2, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2015.00044
Keywords
artisanal; coral reef; fishing effort; management measures; fishery regulations; resource; coastal; governance
Funding
- Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
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Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) engage the vast majority of the world's fishers but are struggling to keep pace with coastal populations, and stocks are declining to levels that threaten reproductive capacity. The provision of food and livelihoods to low-income fishers into the future will be unlikely without radical changes to fisheries policy. We draw on repeating analogies of driving a car to illustrate fundamental reforms needed for driving (managing) SSFs. SSFs will continue to be unsustainable by relying too heavily on output controls (the brake). Managers need to move away from routinely using moratoria (i.e., the handbrake) as a management measure, although these measures may be needed as a last resort. Scientists (backseat drivers) must engage more directly with fishery management agencies to understand their constraints and needs. Resource managers must come to terms with regulating fishing inputs (the accelerator) by imposing limited-entry rules, vessel limitations, or short fishing seasons in addition to sensible output controls. Reforms to resource management will need to entail unpopular measures if SSFs are to deliver sustained benefits to fishing communities into the future.
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