Does catching more fish increase the subjective well-being of fishers? Insights from Bangladesh

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries have been associated with the subjective well-being of coastal communities through their links with culture, identity, and social cohesion. But although fish catches are usually considered the primary ecosystem service that benefits fishers, little is known about how subjective well-being is influenced by the fishing activity itself. Here, we applied the experience sampling method in two small-scale fisheries in Bangladesh to assess the effects of fishing on fishers’ occurrence of positive and negative affect, two measures of subjective well-being. We found that fishing activities were not directly associated with increased momentary affect and that the frequency of positive affect actually decreased as the fishing trip progressed. Furthermore, although very low catches were associated with less positive affect, the highest frequency of positive affect was achieved with relatively small catches. Our results imply that the benefits provided by small-scale fisheries to the momentary subjective well-being of fishers are not strongly related to the actual catching of fish.

Limits to fishing: the case for collective self-limitation illustrated with an example of small-scale fisheries in Catalonia

“…Fishers often concur during our interviews that, assuming a decent living standard could be secured, they would prefer to fish less and improve their quality of life by reducing working time, having better schedules, and engaging in more comfortable and relaxed fishing practices. Such insights align with the findings of recent studies which do not see a strong positive correlation between fishers' subjective well-being and the amount of fish caught (Miñarro et al, 2022) and resonate with established critiques in fisheries social science on the ontological assumption in fisheries management of economic rationality as the primary driver of fishers' behavior and desires (Holm, 1996;Bavington, 2002;Mansfield, 2004;St. Martin, 2005a).…”

Is the fulfilment of objective wellbeing reflected in subjective wellbeing? A case study of vulnerable communities in Volta Delta, Ghana

“…Studies have also shown how OWB and SWB can correlate (e.g., Addai et al, 2014;Brown et al, 2021;Gyampoh et al, 2009;Helliwell, 2008;Miñarro et al, 2022;Pollnac & Poggie, 2008). For instance, Ravallion (2015) found happier people earn more due to their greater productivity.…”

“…• Employment: periods of unemployment can lower SWB by limiting freedom of choice, causing a loss of "competence" (mastery of environment/skills), "relatedness" (workbased social connections) (Deci & Ryan, 2012;Markussen et al, 2018), and preventing the fulfilment of socially expected identities and obligations (Brown et al, 2021;Miñarro et al, 2022;Pollnac & Poggie, 2008).…”

“…Higher happiness levels, despite financial deprivation, may also emerge if poorer people have no choice but to place greater weight on non-material components such as family, autonomy and identity when defining their SWB . The latter is particularly relevant in agricultural and fishing communities where being able to work, live a moral life, be self-sufficient, master a skill, and fulfil social expectations within the community can bring increased status, pride and happiness (Brown et al, 2021;Deci & Ryan, 2012;Markussen et al, 2018;Miñarro et al, 2022;Ohemeng et al, 2020;Osei-Tutu et al, 2020;Oteng et al, 2021).…”