Climate Change and Global Fisheries Management: Linking Issues to Protect Ecosystems or to Save Political Interests?

Axelrod, Mark

doi:10.1162/glep_a_00069

Cited by 20 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The acceptance of best practice scientific advice in the face of economic interests has been problematic [55], with some RFBs following scientific advice 39% of the time or less [72]. While RFBs are addressing the wider domains of sustainability and biodiversity in management [73], the political pressures in shaping scientific advice to suit the agenda of members [74] or, as Axelrod notes, to maintain the status quo [75] is likely to be accentuated as fisheries are affected by climate change.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hot fish: The response to climate change by regional fisheries bodies

et al. 2021

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This paper explores institutional responses from Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs) to climate change. Fisheries management is highly dependent on the stabilityof targeted fish populations. Oceanic changes occurring as a result of climate change will see continuing and potential irreversible deviations from the conditions of fisheries past. These changes present challenges to fisheries management at all scales-from local to internationalrelating to food security, sustainability, and ecological integrity. Areas of measurably warmer ocean, or 'hotspots', are a very clear indicator of direct climate change effects. RFBs with hotspots in their areas of competence were chosen for this study. Three levels of institutional engagement were developed: Awareness of climate change; Learning about climate change; Action taken by the institutions. While 94% of institutions demonstrated awareness of climate change and 82% demonstrated learning about climate change, only 41% demonstrated some form of action; and these were mainly procedural and administrative. Only two of the RFBs considered made explicit statements about incorporating climate change into future fishing management plans. The inference is that RFBs are largely practising business-as-usual, with the implication that many exploited fish populations will face additional survival pressure as the sea around them alters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hot fish: The response to climate change by regional fisheries bodies

et al. 2021

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Section: Factors That Influence Fisheries Management Decisionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…included climate change in their research and management plans). He found that member countries were more apt to favour climate action not when it aligned with scientific recommendations, but rather when it coincided with avoiding catch regulations (Axelrod 2011). Also to circumvent catch regulations, O'Leary et al (2011) found that European Union Fisheries Ministers engage in competitive bargaining driven by immediate national interest when setting total allowable catch (TAC) regulations.…”

Section: Factors That Influence Fisheries Management Decisionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, political actors may prioritise short‐term interests over long‐term sustainability at regional, national and local levels. For example, Axelrod () examined the conditions under which regional fisheries management organisations adopted climate actions (i.e. included climate change in their research and management plans).…”

Section: Factors That Influence Fisheries Management Decisionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The need for decision‐support tools for a changing climate: application to inland fisheries management

Lynch

Varela-Acevedo

Taylor

2012

Fisheries Management Eco

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Large‐scale environmental impacts, such as those of climate change on fisheries, require policy and management action not only at the local level, but at regional, national and international levels. Fisheries biology and ecology, along with social, political and economic considerations, can influence policy design and implementation. Decision‐support tools can integrate these sciences to distil often complex, mechanistic and synergistic processes into a format that the public, policy makers and managers can use when designing strategies to ensure fisheries sustainability in the face of large‐scale environmental perturbations, such as climate change. Harvest management of lake whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis (Mitchill), in the Laurentian Great Lakes provides an excellent case study to examine the value and utility of a decision‐support tool for inland fisheries management when considering the effects of climate change because this fishery is expected to be impacted by future changes in water temperature, ice cover and wind speed.

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“…This suggests major ecological disturbances, particularly as we move beyond 2 °C of warming, whereby social ecological systems may transform into new, unanticipated states [5]. Meanwhile, fishery decline and species loss is already proving to be a major issue, with the majority of the world's fish stocks being maximized [6] and regional fishery policies not being enforced [7]. For many small-scale fishers, pressure on fish stocks and coastal resources has increased, while overall incomes and employment has declined, further marginalizing often impoverished households [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Local Institutions Help Sustain Livelihoods in an Era of Fish Declines and Persistent Environmental Change? A Cambodian Case Study

2014

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This paper sets out to explore fishers' perceptions of environmental change in coastal Cambodia and to then examine the role of local institutions in working with villagers to adapt to such challenges. The analysis shows that: (1) fishers observe species decline, irregular tides and a change in weather patterns; and (2) local institutions have been working to address some of these issues through a series of resource management and livelihood projects for over a decade. We note that local institutions are well placed to deal with certain types of environmental change projects, such as protecting small patches of mangrove trees or creating fish sanctuaries, along with less controversial, tourism-related projects. It is impossible, however, for local institutions to tackle bigger issues, such as over-fishing or large-scale resource extraction. Fishing villages are dealing with multiple challenges (environmental change and beyond), which may make fishing a less viable option for coastal villagers in the medium to long term. As such, key policy responses include acknowledging and building upon the work of local institutions, enhanced support for patrolling at national and provincial levels, developing response scenarios for coastal environmental change, involving local institutions in scientific monitoring and piloting projects that consider fishing and non-fishing livelihoods.

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Climate Change and Global Fisheries Management: Linking Issues to Protect Ecosystems or to Save Political Interests?

Cited by 20 publications

References 11 publications

Hot fish: The response to climate change by regional fisheries bodies

Hot fish: The response to climate change by regional fisheries bodies

The need for decision‐support tools for a changing climate: application to inland fisheries management

Can Local Institutions Help Sustain Livelihoods in an Era of Fish Declines and Persistent Environmental Change? A Cambodian Case Study

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