Understanding non-compliance in small-scale fisheries: Shark fishing in Myanmar’s Myeik Archipelago |
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Authors: | Tracy MacKeracher,Me’ ira Mizrahi,Brock Bergseth,Khin May Chit Maung,Zin Lin Khine,Ei Thal Phyu,Colin A. Simpfendorfer,Amy Diedrich |
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Affiliation: | 1.College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia ;2.Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia ;3.Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries & Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia ;4.Marine Science Department, Myeik University, Myeik, Thanintharyi Region Myanmar |
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Abstract: | Achieving fisheries compliance is challenging in contexts where enforcement capacity is limited and the incentives for rule-breaking are strong. This challenge is exemplified in Myanmar, where an active shark fishery exists despite a nationwide ban on targeted shark fishing. We used the Kipling method (5W1H) to gather a complete story of non-compliance in five small-scale fishing communities in the Myeik Archipelago. Among 144 fishers surveyed, 49% were aware of the nationwide ban. Shark fishers (24%) tended to be younger individuals who did not own a boat and perceived shark fishing to be prevalent. Compliant fishers were motivated by a fear of sharks and lack of capacity (equipment, knowledge), whereas food and income were cited as key motivations for non-compliance. The results of our study emphasize that in resource-dependent communities, improving compliance for effective shark conservation may require addressing broader issues of poverty, food security and the lack of alternatives.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-020-01400-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. |
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Keywords: | Compliance Livelihoods Shark conservation Shark fishing Small-scale fisheries |
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