The management of the blue whiting fishery as complex social-ecological system: The Galician case

Villasante, Sebastián

doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2012.02.013

Cited by 21 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…In the Spanish fisheries sector, Galicia represents around 43 % of the number of vessels, more than 34 % of the fleet capacity, and nearly 40 % of the number of jobs (Villasante 2012). The activity strongly contributes added value to the gross domestic product in Galicia.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Key Role of the Barefoot Fisheries Advisors in the Co-managed TURF System of Galicia (NW Spain)

Macho

Naya

Freire³

et al. 2013

AMBIO

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Many authors have pointed out the need for simpler assessment and management procedures for avoiding overexploitation in small-scale fisheries. Nevertheless, models for providing scientific advice for sustainable smallscale fisheries management have not yet been published. Here we present one model; the case of the Barefoot Fisheries Advisors (BFAs) in the Galician co-managed Territorial Users Rights for Fishing. Based on informal interviews, gray literature and our personal experience by being involved in this process, we have analyzed the historical development and evolution of roles of this novel and stimulating actor in small-scale fisheries management. The Galician BFA model allows the provision of good quality and organized fisheries data to facilitate and support decision-making processes. The BFAs also build robust social capital by acting as knowledge collectors and translators between fishers, managers, and scientists. The BFAs have become key actors in the small-scale fisheries management of Galicia and a case for learning lessons.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The activity strongly contributes added value to the gross domestic product in Galicia. In fact, the percentage of Gross Value Added of fisheries and aquaculture compared to the Gross Domestic Product is 2.4 % in Galicia, while only 0.2 % in EU-27 (Villasante 2012; Consellería do Medio Rural e do Mar 2013).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Key Role of the Barefoot Fisheries Advisors in the Co-managed TURF System of Galicia (NW Spain)

Macho

Naya

Freire³

et al. 2013

AMBIO

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“…Cascading social-ecological interactions can create vulnerabilities, but can also provide important opportunities to develop more sustainable paths and methods to assess the performance of fishery resources with humans considered to be an integral piece of the puzzle [72]. In other words, it is highly necessary to shift from simply managing natural resources with a vision of the environment as an externality, to fostering the stewardship of interdependent social-ecological systems [52,[72][73][74].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, ignoring the human dimension of fishers as reactive agents in the design, the impact assessment, and the annual implementation of the measures has contributed to the failure to adequately implement the plan and achieve its objectives [51]. As Folke et al [51] and Villasante [52] already stated, if current unsustainable paths of EU fisheries are to be reversed humans need to be included in the decision-making process as a component of EU marine social-ecological systems. With an improved understanding, recommendations to ensure ecosystem performance and resilience can be developed that incorporate the view of marine ecosystems as complex adaptive systems with non-linearities, discontinuities, and multiple-stability domains and thresholds.…”

Section: Managing Fishery Resources Under Tac Regulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Non-Compliance in the North Sea Cod Stock

2013

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This paper estimates the economic value of the North Sea cod (Gadus morhua) stock under recent catch and several recovery scenarios. The research presents results on: a) what the value of catches and biomass would have been if the EU fishing fleet had followed the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea scientific recommendations (SRs) and Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in the 1986–2010 period; and b) what the value of catches and biomass will be for the 2010–2022 period if the fleet follows the current Common Fisheries Policy Reform (CFPR). Results show that the actual economic value of the stock for the 1986–2010 period has been US$7 billion, which is substantially lower than what would have been predicted had the industry followed the SRs (US$20.7 billion) or approved TACs (US$19.5 billion). Similarly, if catches do not follow the SRs or the approved TACs for the 2010–2022 period the estimated economic value of the stock is predicted to be lower than if they had done so. Further, the losses of non-compliance increase even when a scenario of 50% reduction of discards under the new CFPR is considered. We also show that the status of the stock is strongly dependent on the trade-offs generated by both the non-compliance of scientific recommendations and by the short-term economic incentives of the fishing industry. With most fishery resources fully exploited or overexploited in Europe, opportunities for development lie primarily in restoring depleted stocks and catching fish more efficiently, as is the case of the North Sea cod stock

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“…Populations can also be composed of mixed stocks that share habitats but vary spatiotemporally in resource use and are genetically distinct, increasing productivity through biocomplexity (Hilborn et al 2003). Failure to protect such distinct units can lead to reduced abundance and the productivity of a fishery and its supporting food web (Villasante 2012). At the community level, many aquatic systems contain fish communities that are spatially distinct yet biologically linked (e.g., warm water -cold water; lentic-lotic), which combine to enhance productivity across habitats.…”

Section: Biodiversity Can Enhance Ecosystem Resiliency and Producmentioning

confidence: 99%

Principles for ensuring healthy and productive freshwater ecosystems that support sustainable fisheries

et al. 2014

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Freshwater ecosystems and the fisheries they support are increasingly threatened by human activities. To aid in their management and protection, we outline nine key principles for supporting healthy and productive ecosystems based on the best available science, including laws of physics and chemistry apply to ecology; population dynamics are regulated by reproduction, mortality, and growth; habitat quantity and quality are prerequisites of fish productivity; connectivity among habitats is essential for movements of fishes and their resources; freshwater species and their habitats are tightly linked to surrounding watersheds; biodiversity can enhance ecosystem resiliency and productivity; global processes affect local populations; anthropogenic stressors have cumulative effects; and evolutionary processes can be important. Based on these principles, we provide general recommendations for managing and protecting freshwater ecosystems and the fisheries they support, with examples of successful implementation for each strategy. Key management strategies include engage and consult with stakeholders; ensure that agencies have sufficient capacity, legislation, and authority to implement policies and management plans; define metrics by which fisheries resources and management success or failure will be measured; identify and account for threats to ecosystem productivity; adopt the precautionary approach to management; embrace adaptive management; implement ecosystem-based management; account for all ecosystem services provided by aquatic ecosystems; protect and restore habitat as the foundation for fisheries; and protect biodiversity. Ecosystems are complex with many intertwined components and ignoring linkages and processes significantly reduces the probability of management success. These principles must be considered when identifying management options and developing policies aiming to protect productive freshwater ecosystems and sustainable fisheries.

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The management of the blue whiting fishery as complex social-ecological system: The Galician case

Cited by 21 publications

References 32 publications

The Key Role of the Barefoot Fisheries Advisors in the Co-managed TURF System of Galicia (NW Spain)

The Key Role of the Barefoot Fisheries Advisors in the Co-managed TURF System of Galicia (NW Spain)

On the Non-Compliance in the North Sea Cod Stock

Principles for ensuring healthy and productive freshwater ecosystems that support sustainable fisheries

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