Fisheries decline, local livelihoods and conflicted governance: An Indonesian case
Based on:
Journal Article (2021)
This research tracks the impacts over time of poor regulation of commercial fisheries on fishers’ livelihoods in both the intersecting commercial and small-scale artesanal sectors in a marine resource dependent coastal community in Indonesia.
Brief by:
This study investigates the social and environmental impacts of the rise and decline of the fishing industry in an Indonesian coastal community as a case study of the conflicted role of governance in marine resource management.
It analyses the relationship between two distinct but intersecting fisheries: the traditional small-scale artisanal fishery targeting diverse near shore species for the local market, and the large-scale commercial purse seine fleet that exploits the once rich Bali Strait sardine fishery. The collapse of the sardine fishery has had a marked impact on the livelihoods of fishers in both the artisanal and commercial sectors.
Key findings
The failure of regulatory regimes to enforce restrictions that would control overfishing in this classic ‘tragedy of the commons’ is found to be a key factor in the unravelling of the local economy
Proposed action
Enforcement of current fisheries regulations must be a governance priority at all scales
Formal linkage across scales of international trade with environmental standards is urgent
National government social protection policies need to compensate for environmental impacts on livelihoods from natural resource management restrictions, if a virtuous cycle of sustainable development instead of intensification of production leading to environmental deterioration and decline is to be established
Climate change is interacting with resource degradation to intensify impacts on resource dependent communities and on food security generally
Helpful resources
Report: A 2021 UNDP-Global Environment Fund initiative for a regional project in the Caribbean [Access resource]
Example: FAO best practices [Access resource]
Example: An example of efforts toward grass-roots approaches to sustainable fisheries is the work of the Non-Government Organisation [Access resource]
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to ASEAN
These insights were made available thanks to the support of ASEAN, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
Special thanks to Antoine Germain for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Antoine Germain, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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Fisheries decline, local livelihoods and conflicted governance: An Indonesian case
Cite this brief: Warren, Carol. 'Fisheries decline, local livelihoods and conflicted governance: An Indonesian case'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/fisheries-decline-local-livelihoods-and-conflicted-governance-an-indonesian-case/
Brief created by: Dr Carol Warren | Year brief made: 2022
Original research:
- Steenbergen, D., & Warren, C., ‘Fisheries decline, local livelihoods and conflicted governance: An Indonesian case’ 202 (pp. 1–13) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105498. – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105498
Research brief:
This research tracks the impacts over time of poor regulation of commercial fisheries on fishers’ livelihoods in both the intersecting commercial and small-scale artesanal sectors in a marine resource dependent coastal community in Indonesia.
This study investigates the social and environmental impacts of the rise and decline of the fishing industry in an Indonesian coastal community as a case study of the conflicted role of governance in marine resource management.
It analyses the relationship between two distinct but intersecting fisheries: the traditional small-scale artisanal fishery targeting diverse near shore species for the local market, and the large-scale commercial purse seine fleet that exploits the once rich Bali Strait sardine fishery. The collapse of the sardine fishery has had a marked impact on the livelihoods of fishers in both the artisanal and commercial sectors.
Findings:
The failure of regulatory regimes to enforce restrictions that would control overfishing in this classic ‘tragedy of the commons’ is found to be a key factor in the unravelling of the local economy
Advice:
Enforcement of current fisheries regulations must be a governance priority at all scales
- Currently net sizes, fleet numbers, by-catch restrictions already in Indonesian legislation are not being monitored or enforced. Good governance in fisheries must include an end to trawling and use of other damaging technologies in both commercial and small-scale fisheries.
Formal linkage across scales of international trade with environmental standards is urgent
- Sustainability certification can no longer be a voluntary practice reliant on consumer premium payments. National governments as well as companies trading internationally need to demonstrate compliance with international production and conservation standards.
National government social protection policies need to compensate for environmental impacts on livelihoods from natural resource management restrictions, if a virtuous cycle of sustainable development instead of intensification of production leading to environmental deterioration and decline is to be established
Climate change is interacting with resource degradation to intensify impacts on resource dependent communities and on food security generally
- Research aimed at balancing social-ecological dynamics needs to integrate qualitative and quantitative research toward effective participatory co-management across scales to redress conflicted governance failures.