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summary of powers held by the key stakeholders involved in fisheries governance identified from interviews with respondents involved in Lake Victoria co-management
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Co-management is advocated as a means to improve human equity and the ecological sustainability of common-pool resources. The promotion of co-management of fisheries often assumes the participation of resource users in decision-making ensures more ecologically sustainable outcomes than top–down management approaches while improving livelihoods and...
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... understand power sharing between the two main comanagement stakeholders (government and fisher folk) involved in fisheries governance, we examined the powers held by the government before co-management and powers devolved afterwards to fisher folk through the institutions of BMUs (Table 4). Our results indicate the government still holds most of the formal decision-making powers within comanagement except for power of enforcement of fisheries rules, which have been fully devolved to BMUs. ...Similar publications
Under the impact of natural and anthropogenic climate variability, upwelling systems are known to change their properties leading to associated regime shifts in marine ecosystems. These often impact commercial fisheries and societies dependent on them. In a region where in situ hydrographic and biological marine data are scarce, this study uses a c...
Citations
... While these co-management arrangements can deliver substantial benefits to user groups under certain conditions (Evans et al. 2011;d'Armengol et al. 2018;Smallhorn-West et al. 2023), their capacity to address conflicts, mitigate power imbalances and promote social equity remains uncertain (Béné et al. 2009;Berkes 2009;Cinner et al. 2012;d'Armengol et al. 2018). Indeed, some studies have found that co-management has exacerbated existing power imbalances (Berkes 2009;Béné et al. 2009;Etiegni et al. 2020), facilitated elite capture (Cinner et al. 2012;Etiegni et al. 2019) and intensified conflicts (Gelcich et al. 2006). This situation presents a paradox: Co-management was initiated in part to address equity concerns associated with centralised management (Rivera-Guieb 2002;Ratner and Allison 2012). ...
... This situation presents a paradox: Co-management was initiated in part to address equity concerns associated with centralised management (Rivera-Guieb 2002;Ratner and Allison 2012). Influenced by common property theory (Ostrom 1990;Johannes 2002), these reforms largely assumed that co-management's participatory nature would lead to fair distribution of costs and benefits and equitable decisionmaking compared to other approaches (Pomeroy 1995;Castro and Nielsen 2001;Etiegni et al. 2020). However, very few studies have examined equity in CPR governance (Allouche 2020;Agrawal 2014), especially fisheries (Bavinck et al. 2018;d'Armengol et al. 2018;Cochrane 2021), and those that have (Agrawal and Benson 2011;d'Armengol et al. 2018) present mixed evidence. ...
... Lastly, we found that inclusive participation, strong social capital and secure property rights were most often associated with improved equity outcomes, while weak social capital, institutional design and management oversight were most often associated with reduced equity outcomes. Inclusive participation being the most significant driver of improved equity outcomes is consistent with our finding that more devolved co-management types are more likely to yield improved equity outcomes, as well as a significant body of research showing the critical role of user participation in managing CPRs like fisheries (Sultana and Abeyasekera 2008;Trimble and Berkes 2013;Etiegni et al. 2020). Several conceptual frameworks emphasise that superficial, manipulative and passive forms of participation fail to transfer actual decision-making power (Pretty 1995;Agrawal and Ribot 1999;Ruano-Chamorro et al. 2022), which serves to mask the perpetuation of nonaccountability (Agrawal and Ribot 1999) and lack of real influence held by user groups. ...
Small‐scale fisheries (SSF) are commonly governed through co‐management, a widely advocated approach for promoting equitable governance. However, evidence suggests that this governance approach can sometimes exacerbate power imbalances, facilitate elite capture and intensify conflicts. To foster co‐management that successfully enhances equity in SSF governance, it is crucial to understand when and why it leads to positive or negative equity outcomes. To this end, we undertook a scoping review to identify empirical research on the relationship between SSF co‐management and equity outcomes. We identified 30 empirical studies that assessed equity outcomes in SSF co‐management initiatives. Our analysis revealed four key findings: (1) distributional and procedural equity received approximately equal levels of attention, largely without an explicit equity lens; (2) co‐management had mixed impacts on equity, with the most prevalent outcome being improvement to equity; (3) delegated and cooperative co‐management types were more often associated with improved equity outcomes, while consultative co‐management was more often associated with reductions or no change; and (4) inclusive participation, strong social capital and secure property rights were most often associated with improved equity outcomes, while weak social capital, institutional design and management oversight were most often associated with reduced equity outcomes. However, the evidence supporting our findings was limited, with only seven studies robustly documenting the role of inclusive participation in enhancing equity. Our review offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between SSF co‐management and equity, informing future research and practice and policy interventions aimed at achieving social goals through co‐management governance approaches.
... At the workshop organised in Shimoni to validate findings from fieldwork, two major areas around local governance emerged as crucial when it comes to making governance more sensitive to the needs of the local population for food; these were the role and potential of trade conducted by women small-scale traders, and the necessity to strengthen the role and capacity of the BMUs in mediating between actors. These are two areas that are closely connected (Matsue et al. 2014;Nunan & Cepić 2020); the functioning of BMUs as catalysts of participation in fisheries governance in Kenyan fisheries, either inland or coastal, has been marred by a number of conflicts over resources (Murunga et al. 2021), unsustainable fishing practices (Etiegni et al. 2017), and poor integration of formal and informal institutions and rules, with the latter often overriding the first, undermining compliance with rules that BMUs are supposed to implement on the ground (Etiegni et al. 2020). When it comes to women's participation in co-management through formal structures (i.e. ...
This article proposes the case of Kenyan coastal fisheries as a potentially crucial reservoir of food-related benefits for the marginalised and those living in poverty, but where a food-centred lens or approach is seldom mainstreamed in local and national governance. Borrowing insights from post-structuralist marine social sciences, this article presents an ethnographic account of grassroots practices in-the-making such as handling, sorting, and allocating fish once caught, and how these practices lead to local categorisations and classifications of fish. This sort of evidence and knowledge around local categorisations and classifications of fish spotlights the importance of considering the post-harvest sector (as opposed to the activity of fishing alone), that is, how the use of catch determines access through micro relations of power and agency. Through the analysis of two different locations of Watamu and Shimoni in terms of the fisheries economy and overall development, the analysis of these categories and classifications highlights the necessity to account for a fairer access and distribution rather than solely production (of fish) that is overly market-oriented.
... The focus on a protected area also provides a well-defined geographic boundary in which enforcement is concentrated, while the complete closure to all fishing makes effective enforcement more viable [9]. This has led to an acceptance of regulations and collective pride and celebration among fisheries participants [25,[92][93][94]. One aspect that should not be overlooked is the straightforward needs-based approach to the Mbenji Island fishery, in which fishing grounds near Chikombe remain open for the most vulnerable to continue fishing efforts during closed seasons. ...
... Although significant literature has focused on elite capture within fisheries management, occurring when traditional authorities or other elites mobilise their influence to exert control over decentralising initiatives, continuing to ignore existing power structures and institutional realities is not a feasible response. Without this engagement, leaders have frequently proven to be obstructive to different management arrangements [23,64,92,69,98]. ...
... This relates to where different pieces of knowledge are included or empowered too. For example, while BVCs in Malawi are intended to enable decisions based on fishers' ecological and experiential knowledge, the design of these institutions failed to engage with key stakeholders surrounding the social, cultural, institutional, spiritual, and economic contexts shaping fisheries activities [23,24,92,67,68,75]. This means practical knowledge is recognised as essential to inform harvest management but only through institutions that stakeholders were not involved in designing. ...
A history of fisheries management in Lake Malawi and Mbenji: Learning from the past to inform the future. In this paper, we argue that comparative historical analysis of cen
tralised and customary management can offer important lessons for
future directions for fisheries management
... Therefore, command and control measures of governance enforced from above may also be ineffective to address the bio-ecological, economic and social concerns of fisheries [6]. As a common pool resource, fisheries could benefit from co-management to improve human equity and ecological sustainability since such approach is based on the assumptions that participation of all resources users in decision making may promote ecologically sustainable outcomes vs top down management approaches [7]. In order to achieve this, measures such as ecosystem-based management, which aims to be an integrated approach including the entire ecosystem, including humans has been developed, however amongst the challenges J of Agri Earth & Environmental Sciences 2024 that this approach faces is the impact evaluation of human activities on ecosystems as well as the trade-off between different social, economic and environmental objectives [8]. ...
This paper presents a review on the participatory multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods applied in fisheries management. Marine fisheries are an important part of the ecosystem which are under the threat of overexploitation partly due to ineffective management measures. With a significant economic and social role in coastal communities, fisheries are an important natural resource and contributor to food security, livelihoods and employment, export earnings, and economic growth. Fisheries have a complex multi-dimensional dynamic involving aspects related to the marine environment, social and cultural issues and a unique governance structure due their public resource nature. Hence the sustainable management of this resource requires methods that incorporate these aspects as well as the incorporation of multiple stakeholders such as fishermen, processors, NGOs, and policy makers which often have different (conflicting) preferences. This review shows how MCDM methods could be applied for different groups of stakeholders in the marine fishery sector and which set of criteria have been applied more commonly as well as highlighting the gaps that exist in the literature. Participatory MCDM techniques, especially value measurement techniques such as AHP have experienced increased application in the period between 1998-2020 and have been applied globally in single species and multi-species fisheries management.
... However, it should not be assumed that networked approaches will inherently achieve these outcomes or automatically overcome resource management issues (Plummer & Armitage, 2007). Like other ostensibly collaborative approaches, networked governance arrangements may reproduce the socio-political conditions of the existing management regime due to issues such as power imbalances (Cinner et al., 2012;Etiegni et al., 2020;Moyo, 2023), co-option (Singleton, 2000), institutional inertia (Akamani, 2023;Ballet et al., 2009;Livingstone & Anthony, 2023), exclusionary practices (Castro & Nielsen, 2001;Chen et al., 2012;Plummer & Armitage, 2007), and a focus on a narrow range of interests (Leys & Vanclay, 2011;Mizanur Rahman, 2021). Network governance failure to address issues such as institutional inertia has been noted in multiple marine governance systems (Greenhill et al., 2020;Kelly et al., 2019;van Leeuwen et al., 2024). ...
... However, the identification rates for these two ecosystem services was quite low, a result that is comparable to preceding studies that have shown that local people have low identification rates for supporting and regulating ecosystem services (see Ouko et al. 2018;Gouwakinnou et al. 2019;Kimpouni et al. 2021). Interestingly, most people could not identify the role that macrophytes played in ensuring continuity of fish populations, a major source of protein and livelihood for local people living adjacent to these lakes (Ndetei 2006;Omondi et al. 2014;Etiegni, Irvine, and Kooy 2020). Similarly, most respondents could not identify the role of macrophytes in reducing silt deposition into the lakes, which is a leading cause of poor water quality in all three study locations (Awange and Ong'ang'a 2006;Ngugi, Ogindo, and Ertsen 2015;Omondi et al., 2016). ...
Correspondence: Rebeccah Kwamboka Onwong'a (rebeccahonwonga@yahoo.com) ABSTRACT It is increasingly being recognised that local people's knowledge can contribute to the ecological and socioeconomic goals of natural resource management programmes. Yet, few studies have examined local people's knowledge concerning freshwater macrophyte diversity. Consequently, the extent to which local people's knowledge can contribute to mitigating freshwater mac-rophyte degradation and supporting their management remains largely unknown. To contribute towards filling this knowledge gap, we investigated local people's knowledge, perceptions and management practices of freshwater macrophyte species. Data collection involved conducting face-to-face in-depth interviews and focus group discussions among local people who lived in areas adjacent to Lake Baringo, Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria and the Kenyan side of Lake Jipe. The sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents were summarised using descriptive statistics. Then, generalised linear mixed-effect models were used to test whether the respondent's sociodemographic characteristics were associated with their macrophyte species recognition skills, benefits and problems associated with macrophytes and management practices. Our respondents named a total of 35 macrophyte species, with each respondent naming an average of six species. Our results showed that respondents who were not involved in fishing and fish-related activities identified more macrophytes than those who participated in such activities. Additionally, individuals who frequently visited the lake named more macrophyte species compared to those who visited either daily or occasionally. While our respondents acknowledged various benefits and problems associated with macrophytes, there was a higher recognition rate for those that directly impacted humans. Regarding local management practices, it was observed that macrophytes were not conserved, with management efforts focusing solely on problematic species. Overall, macrophyte naming skills, knowledge on provisioning and supporting ecosystem services, direct adverse macrophyte impacts and management methods increased with age. We identified knowledge gaps regarding alien species and the indirect impacts of macro-phytes. Addressing these gaps is crucial.
... More recent moves to 'integrate' other forms of knowledge beyond traditional scientific and technical data have in large part continued with this trend, in which knowledges that do not fit the 'normal' science mould have been taken and reshaped in attempts to fit into such moulds. This has reduced such knowledges to ancillary data to better inform scientific models and approaches for problems and challenges already set and defined by governmental or scientific research agendas (Walley, 2004;Etiegni et al., 2020). Such approaches can fail to acknowledge non-traditional scientific knowledge as being more than ecological knowledge, centred on place-based issues with specific contexts, histories, challenges, experiences, and interests. ...
... This requires keen and attentive vigilance to how power, access and participation are realised in decision making. As the above case studies demonstrate, this is an iterative and continual process that requires substantial time, trust, and resources (Gutieŕrez et al., 2011;d'Armengol et al., 2018;Etiegni et al., 2020;Maxwell et al., 2020;Cooke et al., 2021;Reid et al., 2021;Silver et al., 2022). ...
Governance of the ocean and its biodiversity is deeply entangled within social, political and cultural histories. The evolution of marine science has been subject to similar influences, and we (the authors) consider these factors to create, embed and reinforce knowledge hierarchies in ocean governance processes and associated research that set societal patterns of prioritisation and exclusion. Such knowledge hierarchies have constructed dominant Western-oriented knowledge systems as ‘rational’ and ‘objective’ approaches to environmental governance in contrast to non-Western knowledge systems and have led to a dominance of natural (normal) sciences over centralised biodiversity governance. The extraction and incorporation of traditional knowledge into the Western-oriented scientific canon through myriad historical and contemporary processes in ocean biodiversity governance often reproduce knowledge hierarchies, do not benefit knowledge holders and are often considered incomplete, inappropriate or absent. As we address current ocean biodiversity and conservation challenges, researchers must be aware of the history of knowledge extraction, impositions and assumptions within their fields. Researchers must also actively acknowledge and address these histories in their work to avoid marginalisation and support ethical, empathetic, and rigorous knowledge production that meets the needs of society. In this paper, through a development of the concept of knowledge hierarchies, we explore case studies of research diverse in geography and discipline ranging from action research in Namibia, the application of arts-based methodologies in legal proceedings to research focused at an international level, and the concept of ocean literacies, all of which are located under the umbrella of a project specifically targeting transformative ocean governance. It becomes evident that knowledge hierarchies are multi-layered, perpetuating, and often reproduced even when attempting to address hierarchies through such methods as the integration or ‘bringing together’ of diverse knowledge systems. Effective change will therefore require sensitive and multi-faceted approaches to knowledge hierarchies, including processes of embracing discomfort, which will be important to work with, as well as through. While there will be continued tensions between hierarchies, it is a sine qua non that researchers need to build a commitment to understanding where powers lie, rather than ignoring such imbalances or, similarly, by idealising approaches.
... Active participation and cooperation of the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), organized groups, and other stakeholders in management decisions build the basis for its development [10]. Promotion of well-organized management by actors of collective action improves the sustainability of common-pool resources like fisheries, which could improve the livelihood and food security of the users [58]. Well-organized stakeholders, through partnerships and supporters of the actors, create value addition, minimize loss, improve quality, adopt technologies, and improve the economic gain of the sector [59]. ...
Natural resources such as fish are vital for improving human livelihood and serving as sources of food, income and employment opportunities in Ethiopia. But, its degradation and overexploitation lead to anxiety about the living standards of human beings and other living things. The degradation of these resources, which is caused by the less common participation of all stakeholders in protecting the resources, is the most challenging issue in the country. The objective of this paper is to review fishery production and management and their challenges, the extent of the overexploitation of natural resources, the contributions of collective action in fishery production and management, and fishery collective action challenges in Ethiopia. The review paper identified that the existence of a lack of strong coordination among different actors like local communities, the government, development agents, research centers and donor organizations whose concern are with the fishery sector caused the degradation of water bodies and fishery resources in Ethiopia. These issues resulted in challenges in fishery resource production and management, mismanagement in solving social differences among local communities, and low cooperation among communities in protecting fish resources. Besides, these challenges also caused a limited expansion of fishery collective action, overexploitation of fishery resources, and less concern for the protection of fish diversity species in the country. Therefore, essential policy implications forwarded are creating and improving joint collaboration between fish users, local communities, government institutions and development agents; organizing and empowering the local communities in collective action to involve them in the fishery sector to contribute to practical improvements in the protection, production, management and sustainability of fish resources.
Keywords Collective action · Fishery · Natural resources · Ethiopia4
... Active participation and cooperation of the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), organized groups, and other stakeholders in management decisions build the basis for its development [10]. Promotion of well-organized management by actors of collective action improves the sustainability of common-pool resources like fisheries, which could improve the livelihood and food security of the users [58]. Well-organized stakeholders, through partnerships and supporters of the actors, create value addition, minimize loss, improve quality, adopt technologies, and improve the economic gain of the sector [59]. ...
Natural resources such as fish are vital for improving human livelihood and serving as sources of food, income and employment opportunities in Ethiopia. But, its degradation and overexploitation lead to anxiety about the living standards of human beings and other living things. The degradation of these resources, which is caused by the less common participation of all stakeholders in protecting the resources, is the most challenging issue in the country. The objective of this paper is to review fishery production and management and their challenges, the extent of the overexploitation of natural resources, the contributions of collective action in fishery production and management, and fishery collective action challenges in Ethiopia. The review paper identified that the existence of a lack of strong coordination among different actors like local communities, the government, development agents, research centers and donor organizations whose concern are with the fishery sector caused the degradation of water bodies and fishery resources in Ethiopia. These issues resulted in challenges in fishery resource production and management, mismanagement in solving social differences among local communities, and low cooperation among communities in protecting fish resources. Besides, these challenges also caused a limited expansion of fishery collective action, overexploitation of fishery resources, and less concern for the protection of fish diversity species in the country. Therefore, essential policy implications forwarded are creating and improving joint collaboration between fish users, local communities, government institutions and development agents; organizing and empowering the local communities in collective action to involve them in the fishery sector to contribute to practical improvements in the protection, production, management and sustainability of fish resources.
... Although the Power Cube has been used in natural resources and water analysis, most studies focus on only one form of power (Brisbois & de Loë, 2016;Etiegni et al., 2020;Karpouzoglou et al., 2019;Mehta, 2016;Roth et al., 2017;Tantoh et al., 2020;Thompson et al., 2020;Wamuchiru, 2017) or do not explore other dimensions of the model (Rodriquez de Francisco & Boelens, 2014). Although Whaley and Weatherhead (2015) fully implement the Power Cube in a study of water governance in England, they do not study the influence of complex interrelations of various aspects such as interests, socio-political structures, and knowledge in power relations. ...
