Latin-American Rights-Based Fisheries Targeting Sedentary Resources (original) (raw)
Related papers
Territorial user rights for artisanal fisheries in Chile – intended and unintended outcomes
Ocean & Coastal Management, 2013
Granting property rights in fisheries is assumed to provide incentives for sustainable resource exploitation. These rights might also open other income options for fishers, including some that go beyond the original objectives intended by authorities establishing the right. The opportunity for alternative uses is especially high if the details of these rights are not clearly identified. In Chile, a de novo TURF (Territorial User Rights for Fishery) system, called Management Exploitation Areas for Benthic Resources (Áreas de Manejo y Explotación de Recursos Bentónicos-AMERB) was created to achieve sustainable exploitation of benthic resources. This study compares two small-scale fishing communities in Chile, Guayacán and Huentelauquén, representing two typical contrasting settings, regarding geographical contexts and surroundings, origin, history, location, social embeddedness, main fisheries activities as well as the motivation and the process through which they acquired their AMERB. While in Guayacán the main fishing activity outside the AMERB is the giant squid and finfish fishery, in Huentelauquén the main and traditional activity has been diving for benthic resources. The objectives to acquire their AMERBs were different in both cases. Huentelauquén applied the AMERB for their traditional activity, the fishery of Concholepas concholepas ("loco"), thus in accordance with the official objective of the AMERB. Due to reduced catches of loco, fishers also added the collection of kelps, using their AMERB to control access to the entire coast surrounding their fishing community, beyond the limits of their AMERB. In Guayacán the AMERB, applied for the management of scallops and a species of red algae, began to be used for sea squirt aquaculture. Within the framework of sustainable fisheries implied by the AMERBs, there was in both cases a clear expectation to gain new sources of income. However with time both AMERBs are being used as a tool for territorial exclusion of other fishers beyond the limits of their respective AMERBs. In Huentelauquén fishers mention mostly negative aspects about the performance of their AMERB, given the poor economic results, being unsatisfied with the AMERB system in general, because they feel that the system disrupted their traditional migration along the coast. In Guayacán, fishers mentioned mostly positive aspects for their AMERB, as it was an opportunity to add new activities. Both examples show that rights-based management approaches are very attractive; they could promote new uses or developments, whose sustainability nevertheless needs to be analyzed further. The analyzed case studies show that, contrary to how the system was developed in Chile, a more bottom-up implementation of new management arrangements may make it easier to agree on common objectives, and/or leave more freedom for fishers to adjust and arrange their livelihood. Considering the importance the AMERBs have acquired for fishers, these kinds of systems need flexible regulations in order that fishers can adapt the system to local traditions, uses or needs and also to their learning and adapting capacities.
Conservation Biology, 2012
Territorial user rights for fisheries have been advocated as a way to achieve sustainable resource management. However, few researchers have empirically assessed their potential as ancillary marine conservation instruments by comparing them to no-take marine protected areas. In kelp (Lessonia trabeculata) forests of central Chile, we compared species richness, density, and biomass of macroinvertebrates and reef fishes among territorial-user-right areas with low-level and high-level enforcement, no-take marine protected areas, and open-access areas in 42 100-m subtidal transects. We also assessed structural complexity of the kelp forest and substratum composition. Multivariate randomized permutation tests indicated macroinvertebrate and reef fish communities associated with the different access regimes differed significantly. Substratum composition and structural complexity of kelp forest did not differ among access regimes. Univariate analyses showed species richness, biomass, and density of macroinvertebrates and reef fishes were greater in highly enforced territorial-user-right areas and no-take marine protected areas than in open-access areas. Densities of macroinvertebrates and reef fishes of economic importance were not significantly different between highly enforced territorial-user-right and no-take marine protected areas. Densities of economically important macroinvertebrates in areas with low-level enforcement were significantly lower than those in areas with high-level enforcement and no-take marine protected areas but were significantly higher than in areas with open access. Territorial-user-right areas could be important ancillary conservation instruments if they are well enforced.
New regulations in Chilean fisheries and aquaculture: ITQ's and territorial users rights
Ocean & Coastal Management, 1999
The large industrial fishery development that turn Chile into the third fishing nation in the world is described, and recent regulatory innovations introduced by new Fishery and Aquaculture legislation are reviewed. In addition to classical Fishery management tools, different types of limited entry systems are now defined in the law and applicable to Chilean fisherie. These for the first time include allocation of resources in the form of Individual Fishing Quotas and Individual Transferable Quotas (IFQs and ITQs). Territorial User's Rights in Fisheries (TURF's) were incorporated in the law to enhance self-regulatory practices among artisanal fishermen. Among them, the Areas for Management and Exploitation for Benthic Resources (AME) represent an associative assignment of TURFs. Large-scale zoning is used to re-define Aquaculture Grants and to ritualise the conflicts between Artisanal and Industrial fishermen by establishing the Artisanal Reserve in which small-scale coastal fishermen have Priority Access. Performance of the new management instruments are documented with case studies, for the following fisheries: the loco (Concholepas concholepas) a carnivorous snail, keyhole limpets (Fissurella spp.), langostino or squat lobster (Cervimunida johni), Black hake (Dissostichus eleginoides) and the Yellow prawn (Pleuroncodes monodon).
Fishing Rights: The Case of Peruvian Anchoveta Fishery
2013
The implementation of the Maximum Catch Limits per Vessel (LMCE for is acronym in Spanish) in the industrial anchoveta fishery in the year 2009, has generated a wide range of changes in fisheries management. The fishing right, which should strickly represent the resource rent payment done by the owner for the use of a public good, was fixed for ten years in this regime. This research estimates the resource rent for the industrial anchoveta fishery for 2011, which implies a maximum rent, and compares the situation under open access effort and under LMCE system. It will also discuss the fishing rights and private sector’s payments versus the actual rent found in this study.
Human Ecology, 2012
Addressing global fisheries overexploitation requires better understanding of how small-scale fishing communities in developing countries limit access to fishing grounds. We analyze the performance of a system based on individual licenses and a common property-rights regime in their ability to generate incentives for self-governance and conservation of fishery resources. Using a qualitative beforeafter-control-impact approach, we compare two neighbouring fishing communities in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Both were initially governed by the same permit system, are situated in the same ecosystem, use similar harvesting technology, and have overharvested similar species. One community changed to a common property-right regime, enabling the emergence of access controls and avoiding overexploitation of benthic resources, while the other community, still relies on the permit system. We discuss the roles played by power, institutions, socio-historic, and biophysical factors to develop access controls.
Rights Based Fisheries Management
The 2000 Convention for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPF Convention) establishes a Commission which will be responsible for setting catch limits and effort controls for the fishery. The Convention will require the Pacific Island States to impose some form of catch limits and this presents them with the opportunity to explore ways to enhance the fisheries regimes they manage. This paper explores the legal issues surrounding a possible rights-based regime, both as a collective approach by the Pacific Island States, and individually. The paper suggests possible legal approaches to the introduction of a rights-based fisheries management regime, drawing on ways in which they may structure their fisheries legislation, and on experiences from other regions. The paper concludes by examining the implications for the Pacific Island States of such an approach.
Potential Benefits of Rights-Based Management in the Reef Fish Fishery
The sad truth is that direct regulations have not eliminated overfishing but instead increased fishing costs for fishermen risking their lives on the high seas. The good news is that there is a better way to manage our ocean fisheries. Property rights approaches, such as individual transferable quotas (ITQs) and private harvest agreements are proving highly effective in restoring health and sanity to a host of fisheries around the globe. This book traces such developments and addresses the remaining obstacles to the continued development of property rights in ocean fisheries. Disciplines
Rights-based Approaches in Ecuador's Fishery for Mangrove Cockles
Proceedings of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Tenure and User Rights in Fisheries 2018
The fishery for ark clams or mangrove cockles (Anadara tuberculosa and A. similis) has been culturally and economically important in communities that depend on mangrove forests throughout the Pacific coast of Latin America since pre-Columbian times. In Ecuador, more than 3,000 artisanal fishermen manually harvest bivalve molluscs of the genus Anadara. However, this fishery has been vulnerable to harvesting pressures and habitat destruction. For almost three decades, researchers and international organizations have increasingly recognized the value of Territorial Use Rights in Fisheries (TURFs) as a tool for achieving marine conservation and socially equitable outcomes in fisheries management. Since 2000, the Ecuadorian government began granting mangrove concessions to local fishing associations to promote mangrove conservation and sustainable use in fisheries. Many of those fishing associations designed management plans for benthic resources such as cockles and crabs similar to TURF arrangements in other parts of the world. This paper explores how these institutional arrangements contribute the goals of sustainability with particular attention to challenges and tradeoffs. The mangrove concessions have created conditions that promote habitat health necessary for fishery productivity while strengthening resource rights enabling communities to pursue sustainable fishing-based livelihoods for present and future generations. On the other hand, the creation of exclusive access rights for particular user groups has also exacerbated tensions among independent cockle gatherers that feel they are increasingly losing access to their customary fishing grounds. Moreover, fishing pressures and a lack of compliance with the minimum size regulations continue to threaten the sustainability of the fishery. Understanding tradeoffs in Ecuador’s integrated approach to coastal management may provide valuable insights for the management of other small-scale benthic fisheries within multiple use coastal zones. We recommend it is necessary to create opportunities for diversified livelihoods in locations where TURFs or similar forms of territorial use privileges are implemented.
Rights-based Fisheries Management: An Environmentalist Perspective
Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 2005
Fisheries management regimes take many forms, but most fail to designate shares of the catch. This failure creates strong incentives for individuals to maximize their share without regard to long-term sustainability, because the benefits of conservation actions do not accrue to individuals. The competition to maximize catch usually entails excessive capital investments in fishing vessels and gear and intense fishing pressure, resulting in overfishing, high bycatch rates, and the use of large, efficient types of gear that can harm habitat. Managers respond by increasing regulations, but this often exacerbates perverse incentives. In addition, many fisheries could be producing more value than the current system permits, i.e. large quantities of fish are landed during short seasons, forcing fishermen to sell for low prices. Conservation and economic problems facing fisheries can be addressed in an integrated way, by designating access privileges (specifying shares of the catch) to individuals, harvest cooperatives, fishing sectors, communities, or other appropriate entities. Designated Access Privilege (DAP) systems demonstrably end the competition to maximize catch and often result in better conservation and financial performance. The cost of implementing these systems can be relatively high and has been a barrier to better management. However, this doesn't have to be so. Fisheries could accept investments from a variety of sources and use a portion of the increased financial performance to repay recoverable grants and loans. The key to protecting fish stocks, habitats, and the communities that depend on them will be to implement DAPs that are appropriate for each fishery or community, making investments in sustainability, and creating financing mechanisms that are themselves sustainable, drawing on the increased value that DAP fisheries can produce.