Joeri Scholtens

Impacts of climate change on marine ecosystem production in societies dependent on fisheries

iesonmarinefisheries 3 .Predictedchanges in fish production indicate increased productivity at high latitudes and decreased productivity at low/mid latitudes, with considerable regional variations. With few exceptions, increases and decreases in fish production potential by 2050 are estimated to be<10% (meanC3.4%) from present yields. Among the nations showing a high dependency on fisheries 3 ,

Transboundary Dialogues and the ‘Politics of Scale’ in Palk Bay Fisheries: Brothers at Sea?

This article examines how the politics of scale affect a process of dialogue led by civil society actors over fishing conflicts taking place at the local level in South Asia. The location is the Palk Bay and the fishers are Tamils from India and Sri Lanka. An agreement over fishing rights reached between these fishers in August 2010 remains largely unimplemented, but takes centre stage for this article, which examines the negotiation processes in terms of politics of scale and highlights the various difficulties encountered. Major pitfalls in a dialogue of this sort are the failure to recognise diversity within the population(s) involved and lack of recognition of the linkages of this population with other actors at different scales or levels. In a transboundary context, national and regional identities at times override local identity and interests, thereby making locally constructed solutions difficult, if not impossible, to implement.

Global mismatch between fishing dependency and larval supply from marine reserves

Marine reserves are viewed as flagship tools to protect exploited species and to contribute to the effective management of coastal fisheries. Yet, the extent to which marine reserves are globally interconnected and able to effectively seed areas, where fisheries are most critical for food and livelihood security is largely unknown. Using a hydrodynamic model of larval dispersal, we predict that most marine reserves are not interconnected by currents and that their potential benefits to fishing areas are presently limited, since countries with high dependency on coastal fisheries receive very little larval supply from marine reserves. This global mismatch could be reversed, however, by placing new marine reserves in areas sufficiently remote to minimize social and economic costs but sufficiently connected through sea currents to seed the most exploited fisheries and endangered ecosystems.

South Indian Trawl Fisheries - Assessing Their Governability

As governance occurs through interaction between governors and the governed, an investigation of the conditions that facilitate ‘better’ interaction, and improve governability, is worthwhile. We argue on the basis of the interactive governance approach that one such condition is a proper match between the system-to-be-governed and the governing system. This match is conceptualized as having two dimensions: architectural compatibility and attunement. The possibilities of this assessment approach are studied in the context of the trawl fisheries in the Palk Bay, South India. The trawl fleet in this region developed rapidly since the 1960s, and has engaged in lively conflicts with small-scale fisheries on the Indian, and more recently on the Sri Lankan side of the Bay. The non-synchronization of fishing areas with administrative boundaries constitutes an important governance challenge, as is environmental pressure.

Limits to the Governability of Transboundary Fisheries: Implications for Small-Scale Fishers in Northern Sri Lanka and Beyond

Transboundary fisheries are a worldwide phenomenon that has considerable impact on small-scale fisheries. This chapter explores governability problems of transboundary fisheries in connection with small-scale fishers’ marginality. Insights are derived by studying the practice of transboundary fishing in the Palk Bay, South Asia, where a sizable Indian trawler fleet impedes Sri Lankan small-scale fishers from carrying out their occupation. By analyzing the features of the fisheries systems and the fragmented governance practices, this chapter raises six issues that challenge the overall system’s governability: (1) mismatch between the scale of governance and the scale of the problem; (2) high level of institutional fragmentation with limited cross-linkages; (3) actors’ strategic framing of the nature, causes and solution to the problem; (4) power imbalances between Sri Lankan and Indian fishers; (5) deep politicization that has linked fisheries issues to higher level ethnic and geopolitical conflicts; and (6) path dependency of the trawl sector. I conclude that while co-governance is in theory crucial for transboundary governance to be more responsive to the situation at hand, governability analysis explains why constructive collaborative practices are difficult, if not impossible, to create in practice in this case.

Transdisciplinary Engagement to Address Transboundary Challenges for Small-Scale Fishers

Small-scale fisheries and their governance are increasingly affected by natural, social, and political issues that originate outside their immediate control and locality. This chapter explores how researchers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and fisher organizations can collaborate in the pursuit of empowerment small-scale fisheries vis-a-vis such ‘external’ dynamics, with a focus on maritime boundaries. To do so, we first analyse how transboundary maritime issues complicate the operation and welfare of small-scale fishers and may further their marginalization. Second, we explore how transdisciplinary engagement can be key to better understanding and addressing such transboundary challenges. Taking an action-oriented approach, we analyse the opportunities and pitfalls of transdisciplinary collaboration to empower small-scale fishers through five types of intervention strategies: capacity building (strengthening fisher organizations), institution building (building bridges between disparate actors), discourse (reframing the nature of the problem), law (appealing to national or international courts), and mobilization (mobilizing fishers to confront power). Each type of intervention is illustrated with a case study from various parts of the world. We argue that despite potentially conflicting incentives, interests, and accountabilities, transdisciplinary engagement can be both a meaningful and effective practice to empower small-scale fishers vis-a-vis transboundary challenges.