Silas, Mathew O. and Semba, Masumbuko L. and Mgeleka, Said S. and Well, Lisa Van and Linderholm, Hans W. and Gullstrom, Martin (2023) Using fishers’ local ecological knowledge for management of small-scale fisheries in data-poor regions: Comparing seasonal interview and field observation records in East Africa. Fisheries Research, 264.
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Fishers, scientists and policy makers need to describe, understand and “agree on” variations in fish catches caused by exploitation and climate change for effective fisheries management. To achieve this, relevant data with sufficient spatiotemporal resolution is a necessity. In regions of the Global South, such as the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), fish catch data useful for management is scarce or non-existing. Still, the potential of local ecological knowledge to provide such information has not been fully utilised in these regions. In this study, we evaluated fishers’ local ecological knowledge (based on interviews) against detailed seasonal fish catch variability data based on catch per unit effort (CPUE) records. Because of the importance of the monsoon seasons for marine resource variability, differences in fish catches during the northeast (NE) and southeast (SE) monsoon seasons were investigated. Fishers’ perceptions generally agreed with catch data records, both showing that the NE monsoon season generally provides higher catch rates than the SE monsoon season. The fishers’ perceptions at two of the landing sites (Nyamisati and Shangani) contradict the recorded observations by showing highest fish catches during the SE monsoon season. It was clear, however, that fishers’ perceptions in these two sites focused on the most valuable target species (prawn and tuna in Nyamisati and Shangani, respectively) rather than total catches. In this particular case, fishers’ perceptions facilitated the significance of taking target species into consideration. The findings of this study highlight the importance of integrating local ecological knowledge into scientific research to help understand the complex dynamics of coastal fisheries and improve the management of data-poor fisheries.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | East Africa, Small-scale Fisheries, Fish Catch, Fisheries Management, Climate Change, Western Indian Ocean (WIO), Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE), Marine Resource, Coastal Fisheries, Target Species |
| Subjects: | Biodiversity |
| Depositing User: | Kokila ICSF Krish |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Nov 2024 04:55 |
| Last Modified: | 05 Nov 2024 04:55 |
| URI: | http://icsfarchives.net/id/eprint/20929 |
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