Suchergebnisse

This thesis explores the causes of poverty and its manifestation in coastal small-scale fisheries in Bangladesh, the ways in which fishers cope with or overcome poverty, and possible measures supporting poor fishers to escape poverty. In a first approach towards exploring the poverty context, Paper I situates poverty in small-scale fisheries within a wider vulnerability analysis. The paper portrays the livelihoods of small-scale fishers in Bangladesh as being threatened by different factors, such as a rapidly changing and fragile resources base, lack of physical and subjective safety and security, exploitative labour and financial relationships, and social and political exclusion. Consequently, the majority of small-scale fishers in Bangladesh live on the margin of existence, where they are extremely vulnerable to shocks such as environmental disasters. Without any effective buffer against crises, as Paper II identifies, recurring shocks and ongoing risk exposure are major factors pushing fishers into poverty. As an example, Paper III analyzes the situation of nomad fishers who have been moved from their land and who lead a vulnerable mobile life in search of livelihoods on water. Nonetheless, the fishers constantly attempt to get out of their disadvantaged situation, and in this process they employ a combination of different livelihood strategies, such as income diversification and patron-client relationships. Of the different livelihood strategies, migration is of particular importance: Paper IV shows that migration contributes to the emergence of translocal livelihoods, in which mobility serves not only as a way to escape poverty and vulnerability but also to enhance their capacities and / or to explore new opportunities. Finally, this thesis offers a number of suggestions including both protection and promotion components. To prevent a downward spiral into poverty, several buffers need to be created, for example reducing dependency on fisheries by creating job opportunities in non-fishing occupations. Intervention from the state is also required to minimize risks and free individuals from their lack of freedom, which is rooted in both natural and anthropogenic causes (Paper V). To make their agency effective and to increase the overall capacity and well-being of the communities, an enhanced access to land and education facilities and other socio-economic capitals could lead to an empowerment of poor fishing households and facilitate the participation in the local economic and political process. The study particularly highlights that the contribution of women in income generation and family decision making plays a positive role in accumulation of assets - a way out of poverty for small-scale fishers in Bangladesh.

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) have been playing a crucial role in meeting the basic needs of millions of people around the world. Despite this, the sustainability of global fisheries is a growing concern, and the factors enabling or constraining the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries remain poorly understood. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) is the single most valuable species harvested in Bangladesh waters, serves nutrition, income, and employment to the large population. This study analyzed the state and challenges of hilsa fishery in the Gangetic River systems (Padma and Meghna Rivers) by using two frameworks, namely the social-ecological systems (SES) and drivers-pressure-state-impact-responses (DPSIR) frameworks. Primary data for this analysis were collected by in-depth interviews (n = 130) and focus group discussions (n = 8) with various stakeholders in the hilsa fisheries. The perspectives explored here have been both critical and constructive, including the identification of problems and suggestions for improving the management of this particular social-ecological system. Hilsa fisheries, however, have come under severe threat since 2003 because of population growth, overfishing, pollution, climate change, the disruption of migration routes due to siltation, etc. All these have caused reduced catches and less stable incomes for fishers. This, in turn, has led to poverty, malnutrition, social tensions, stakeholder conflicts, and debt cycles amongst more impoverished fishing communities. These problems have been compounded by improved fishing technology amongst larger-scale ventures, the use of illegal fishing gears, and the non-compliance of government fishery management programs. Recommendations include the promotion of community-supported fisheries, the enhancement of stakeholder's social resilience, the introduction of co-management approach, an increase in incentives and formal financial supports, and possible community-managed sustainable ecotourism including hilsa fishing-based tourism. ; Peer reviewed

Social resilience is an essential aspect of sustainability in environmental management, especially in poor resource-dependent communities. To better understand the dynamics of social resilience, we have conducted a primarily qualitative study of communities dependent on hilsa fishing in two coastal villages in southern Bangladesh. This study applies concepts of social-ecological system (SES), social resilience and co-management in outlining our qualitative data and framing its interpretation. Our findings show that while the establishment of hilsa sanctuary areas has enhanced the previously low ecological sustainability of local small-scale fishing, the management of this program has challenged the social resilience of hilsa fishers by creating new inequalities in the distribution of power and privilege, in terms of the ways in which seasonal fishing bans are enforced and compensation for income loss during the ban periods is distributed. Based on our findings, we suggest specific measures for strengthening social resilience at the local level, including building community networks, developing community infrastructures, updating existing rules and regulations, providing alternative means of generating income for fishers during the crisis periods (e.g. natural disasters and fishing ban periods) and more active sharing of responsibility between stakeholders and government for management of the hilsa fishery. These findings are also applicable to understanding the issues beyond rules and regulations that co-management arrangements need to address in order to be successful and to enhancing the function of co-management arrangements in improving social resilience within resource-dependent communities ; Peer reviewed

Small-scale fisheries (SSFs) have been playing a crucial role in meeting the basic needs of millions of people around the world. Despite this, the sustainability of global fisheries is a growing concern, and the factors enabling or constraining the sustainable management of small-scale fisheries remain poorly understood. Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) is the single most valuable species harvested in Bangladesh waters, serves nutrition, income, and employment to the large population. This study analyzed the state and challenges of hilsa fishery in the Gangetic River systems (Padma and Meghna Rivers) by using two frameworks, namely the social-ecological systems (SES) and drivers-pressure-state-impact-responses (DPSIR) frameworks. Primary data for this analysis were collected by in-depth interviews (n = 130) and focus group discussions (n = 8) with various stakeholders in the hilsa fisheries. The perspectives explored here have been both critical and constructive, including the identification of problems and suggestions for improving the management of this particular social-ecological system. Hilsa fisheries, however, have come under severe threat since 2003 because of population growth, overfishing, pollution, climate change, the disruption of migration routes due to siltation, etc. All these have caused reduced catches and less stable incomes for fishers. This, in turn, has led to poverty, malnutrition, social tensions, stakeholder conflicts, and debt cycles amongst more impoverished fishing communities. These problems have been compounded by improved fishing technology amongst larger-scale ventures, the use of illegal fishing gears, and the non-compliance of government fishery management programs. Recommendations include the promotion of community-supported fisheries, the enhancement of stakeholder's social resilience, the introduction of co-management approach, an increase in incentives and formal financial supports, and possible community-managed sustainable ecotourism including hilsa fishing-based tourism.