Multidimensional human wellbeing in periodic octopus closures

Abstract

This paper investigates multidimensional human wellbeing in periodic octopus closures, a common type of marine protected area (MPA) in the western Indian ocean. We trace the perceived flow of benefits, costs and trade-offs from closures at three sites in Zanzibar. We specifically explore how different types of fishers and traders perceive the impacts of closures on wellbeing from a personal, livelihood group and village or community level, as well as ecosystem effects. Our interpretive methods which prioritized participants' emic descriptions and understandings of closure impacts. We iteratively, qualitatively coded data using a three-dimensional (material, relational and subjective) social wellbeing approach. Despite different conditions and histories at the three sites, participants identified similar wellbeing attributes as affected by the closure. Themes included social conflict, non-compliance, income, education, food/nutrition, perceptions of inequity and communal benefits reflecting recent literature on MPAs and human wellbeing Gender was a strong dimension that emphasized procedural and distributional inequity between different types of livelihood groups e.g. small-scale traderwomen and male skindivers. Material wellbeing losses due to poor market environments highlighted how better alignment is needed between periodic closure activities and resulting trade and market dynamics. Opening events thoroughly impacted wellbeing across all dimensions, suggesting that these moments are critical for creating positive perceptions or losing support for closures.