ICES Journal of Marine Science: Journal du Conseil

Monsanto, Maxine; Kohler, Peter; Binetti, Umberto; Silburn, Briony; Russell, Josie; Corbin, Chris; Lyons, Brett; Birchenough, Silvana N R; Maes, Thomas

doi: 10.1093/icesjms/fsac206pmid: N/A

Marine litter is a significant global threat. The complex and cross cutting nature involved in tackling marine litter requires a coordinated response involving multiple sectors and a broad range of stakeholders. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly vulnerable to detrimental impacts of marine litter on quality of life and economies, particularly tourism and fisheries sectors. This paper presents national Marine Litter Action Plans (MLAP) as effective tools for coordinating responses addressing marine litter and specifically outlines the process undertaken to develop a national MLAP for the country of Belize, a Caribbean SIDS. Actions included in the MLAP, adopted by Belize in 2019, focused on developing science related to marine litter through monitoring and capacity building, tackling land- and sea-based sources through enforcement and planning, and boosting awareness through outreach and education. The paper further summarizes common challenges faced by SIDS and identifies key enabling conditions that facilitated MLAP development and adoption from perspective of a Caribbean SIDS. These experiences from Belize include stakeholder engagement, communication, governance, transparency, equity, scientific surveys, data gaps, and capacity building. The lessons learned from this practical application can be applied when developing and implementing MLAPs in other SIDS and beyond.

Silburn, Briony; Bakir, Adil; Binetti, Umberto; Russell, Josie; Kohler, Peter; Preston-Whyte, Fiona; Meakins, Bryony; van Hoytema, Nanne; Andrews, Gilbert; Carrias, Abel; Maes, Thomas

doi: 10.1093/icesjms/fsab268

Strong, J A; Wardell, C; Haïssoune, A; Jones, A L; Coals, L

doi: 10.1093/icesjms/fsac001pmid: N/A

The marine habitats within the Kep Archipelago, Cambodia, support species of conservation importance and commercial value. Despite the area being designated a Marine Fisheries Management Area (equivalent to a Marine Protected Area locally), illegal trawling has continued to damage vulnerable habitats within the region. To augment the protection of the designated area, Conservation and Anti Trawl Structures (CATS) have been deployed locally. These structures can snare the nets of illegal trawlers and provide a hard substratum for coral colonization. A sidescan sonar survey and ground truthing campaign was used to precisely locate the 40 CATS deployed and produce maps of the important benthic habitats in the area. Due to the challenging coastal environment and minimal available infrastructure, this study used small, rechargeable or low-power (12 V), and low-cost habitat mapping equipment to map the approximate extent of several benthic habitats of conservation interest. The area and type of habitat protected by CATS has been estimated by combining the marine habitat map with the precise locations of the deployed CATS. It is hoped that this information will help inform local management decisions, such as optimizing the placement of future CATS.

Maltby, Katherine M; Acosta, Luis; Townhill, Bryony; Touza, Julia; White, Piran; Mangi, Stephen C

doi: 10.1093/icesjms/fsac003pmid: N/A

Climate-change-driven storminess and extreme events are increasingly challenging fishers in tropical island countries. Weather-based index insurance is an emerging tool that can assist fishing communities in their recovery and adaptation to such events. In these regions, coral reefs support valuable fisheries and also provide coastal protection during extreme events. Surveying 80 fishers in Grenada, this exploratory study examined fishers’ perceptions of index insurance in the context of their experiences of extreme events. We also explore perceptions of reef health and its’ connections to fishing outcomes and coastal protection, given the indirect role this plays in supporting fishers’ resilience through associated fisheries and storm protection. Most fishers viewed extreme events as a severe risk to their livelihoods, affecting their ability to make future plans. Fishers comprehended the links between improved reef health and positive impacts on fishing (higher catches and incomes). Several challenges regarding index insurance were raised, which centred on themes of flexibility, affordability, inclusivity, and accessibility. These could pose barriers to fishers and undermine demand for or participation in such schemes. As such, research, design, and implementation of future index insurance schemes should consider issues raised by fishers to ensure that provision is equitable and improve uptake.

Phelan, Anna (Anya); Ross, Helen; Adhuri, Dedi S; Richards, Russell

doi: 10.1093/icesjms/fsac020pmid: N/A

Small-scale fisheries are globally important to food security, nutrition, culture, ecosystem health, and livelihoods for millions of people. They also face considerable ecological, and economic pressures, including climate change, privatization, and top-down decision-making. Historically, processes of exclusion (e.g. industrialization, market forces, and settler colonialism) have persisted in the global food system. To mitigate against such processes and protect the livelihoods and human rights of small-scale fishers, the socially responsible seafood movement has emerged. This paper examines the local relationships in a seafood value chain in Indonesia, which extends from village fishers to international export markets. We present a case study from Sumbawa Indonesia, where a foreign direct seafood exporter is focused on sourcing socially responsible seafood from waters worked by small-scale fishers. Applying a systems lens, we analyse how a system driven by market forces and underpinned by western values can integrate with a system driven by traditional customs, social ties, and trust. The findings demonstrate that social connections and feedbacks within the value chain play a key role. Systems thinking reveals pathways to help synergize the two systems. This research shows that to deliver on the promise of socially responsible seafood, better understanding is needed of the interconnected social, cultural, and economic ties of small-scale fishers.