Browsing by Subject "Fishing"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Open Access
A meta-analysis of the value of marine protected areas for pelagic apex predators
(2015) DunphyDaly, Meagan
A vast range of theoretical and empirical studies now suggests that MPAs can conserve marine biodiversity and, under some circumstances, increase fishery yields. However, despite the importance of pelagic apex predators to ecosystem function, the effectiveness of spatial management for the conservation of pelagic apex predator species is still unknown. I used fishery-dependent logbook and observer datasets to assess fishing effort and both the catch and size of pelagic apex predator species around five different MPAs. The US Hawaii-based deep-set or Atlantic pelagic longline fisheries fish the waters around these MPAs; both of these fisheries have experienced multiple management measures over time to protect species and maximize fishery yield. The MPAs selected for this study range in size, age, level of protection, and reason for establishment. I found that only two MPAs of the five appeared to be benefitting the pelagic apex predator species that I selected: the DeSoto Canyon and East Florida Coast MPAs, both in the Atlantic Ocean. The size of yellowfin tuna around the DeSoto Canyon MPA borders has increased over time, as has fishing effort. In contrast, the size of swordfish has decreased near the boundary of the East Florida Coast MPA, although the catch of swordfish has increased. The increase in catch of smaller swordfish was not a surprise because the East Florida Coast MPA was established around an area that is a nursery habitat for swordfish. These results are promising for the use of static MPAs for the conservation of pelagic apex predators, but three of the MPAs in my study did not show any indication of increased fishing effort, increased catch, or changes in pelagic apex predator size near their boundaries over time. Therefore, the characteristics of the DeSoto Canyon and East Florida Coast MPAs may provide a template for how to best design new MPAs for pelagic apex predators. Both of these MPAs were established with the specific intent of reducing pelagic apex predator bycatch, in areas where there were historically high catch rates. Both areas are relatively large (> 85,000 km2) and are also closed year-round. In combination, these characteristics may provide protection for pelagic apex predators.
Open Access
Determining local perceptions and challenges for environmental conservation in Utila, Honduras
(2011-04-29) Daniel, Jessica
The Bay Islands are a group of small islands off the coast of Honduras, comprised of three larger islands - Roatan, Utila and Guanaja - and several dozen cays. Due to the Islands’ Caribbean feel and inexpensive cost they have become a popular tourist destination for thrifty travelers and are a frequent stop for SCUBA diving enthusiasts. Major threats in the region are the destruction of natural coastal habitats by increasing coastal population and tourism developments and increased sedimentation due to extensive use of watersheds and inland deforestation. In particular, Utila has become known as one of the best diving sites in the world, placing further pressure on the island’s fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Declines in island species such as the endemic iguana Ctenosaura bakeri have been documented, along with damaged coral reefs from various activities, mangrove deforestation, decreasing coral cover and noted fish declines for several fish species. This last fact may be particularly important given the large fishing community that has existed on the island for decades. Despite Utila’s small size, its roughly 8000 residents are a mix of generational Utilians, mainland Hondurans, and Ex-patriates who come from extremely diverse backgrounds, thus often making attempts to engage the community in environmental conservation difficult. In an effort to understand the environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of Utila’s three main populations, an environmental survey was conducted in the summer of 2010. Results from the survey indicate that the majority of islanders recognize and are concerned with the decreasing health of the island’s ecosystems and resources. It was also found that though most individuals were aware of the island’s various environmental regulations, they recognize that the majority of people do not follow them, and that this is particularly true for fishing regulations. This finding and firsthand experiences led to an in depth look at the Honduran Fisheries Law and subsequent regulations related to the law. This paper presents the findings from the survey and also explores the possibility of using a community based environmental management approach to protect the island’s resources and monitor local fishing practices.
Open Access
Effectively Communicating with Subsistence Fish Consumers to Reduce Exposure to Contaminants
(2020-04-24) Dietz, Martin; Yang, Steven
Economic factors and cultural values influence individual choices to catch local fish as an important supplement to their diet. This practice is commonly referred to as subsistence fishing. We believe the term “fishing for food” is more appropriate, given the mosaic of values and motivations that underlie the practice. While fishing for food is an affordable and accessible way to acquire a nutritional food source, chemical contaminants from the environment can build up in certain species of fish. Consumption of fish that contain chemical contaminants may harm human health. Fishing for food creates environmental justice concerns because low income and minority communities generally depend on wild caught fish in different ways and to a greater extent than society as a whole and are therefore likely to be disproportionately exposed to the harmful contaminants. The practice of fishing for food is informal, and fishers have a wealth of specialized local knowledge, which they frequently share amongst themselves. The informality of the practice and centrality of local, specialized knowledge means that little information is available on people who fish for food. Our project addresses this data gap in eastern North Carolina through a combination of intercept surveys, key actor interviews, and participant observations that allow us to tap the local knowledge and community experiences necessary for deepening our understanding of fishing for food. This methodology allows us to examine the behaviors, motivations, and values of people fishing for food along the lower Cape Fear River in North Carolina, a waterway that is heavily impaired by pollution. Our findings provide a glimpse into the behaviors, motivations, and values of those fishing for food in this area that will be used to inform an ongoing, local community-based social marketing campaign. This campaign endeavors to provide community relevant information and actionable alternatives that help individuals who fish for food avoid exposure to chemical contaminants. More generally our research demonstrates how community-based research approaches can be used to inform the development of locally relevant public health initiatives that address the unique behaviors, values, and contexts of impacted communities.
Open Access
Fishing for Food
(2019-04-22) Nieman, Cassandra; Rudman, Alexie; Chory, Margaret
Within recreational fishing, there is an understudied population of people who fish for food. Rather than ‘subsistence fishing,’ we use the more inclusive term, ‘fishing for food’ to mean anyone who consumes their catch, whether or not they rely on it. Learning more about this group is important because ‘fishing for food’ is a practice that has socio-cultural characteristics and a range of values associated with it that are distinct from those traditionally associated with recreational fishing. In this study, qualitative data collected through 80 semi-structured interviews with fishers in Carteret County, North Carolina, were used to gather baseline information and characterize the community of those ‘fishing for food’ in this popular fishing community. Our findings revealed that users of the Newport River Pier and Grayden Paul Drawbridge assign a variety of values to fishing at this free public infrastructure, including access to recreation, nutrition, a social community, and mental health benefits. We also found an informal economy of sharing catch on- or off-site that extends the reach of the infrastructure to people beyond those using it directly.