Should we hang up our nets?

1. Should we hang up our nets? Adaptation and conflict within fisheries - insights for living with climate change Dr Sarah Coulthard AMIDSt, University of Amsterdam

2. Talk Structure • Global crisis in fisheries necessitates adaptation in fishing societies • Parallels with climate change and adaptation debates • Adaptation of livelihoods (moving out of fisheries) and strong links with values and culture • Culture as a facilitator or barrier to adaptation within fisheries?

3. A global fisheries crisis? • Worm et al (2006) predict we will run out of commercial fish stocks by 2048 • Pressure on fishermen and women to adapt / change their livelihoods

4. Parallels with climate change debates • Injustice – pressures fall on the small scale fisher, who is often the least capable of adaptation and least to blame for over fishing • Poorly regulated fishing from developed countries exacerbate the problem e.g. EU trawler fleets • Vulnerability- food security, livelihood security, increased poverty risk How to differentiate?

5. Strong cultural, traditional and religious associations with fisheries – give insight into their influence in adaptation • A need to evolve from understanding the behaviour of fish – to understanding the behaviour of fishing people! Parallels with climate change debates Effigies outside a fishing village in India

6. A focus on the difference between ‘coping strategies’ and ‘adaptation’ Coping = short term, flexible Adaptation = longer term and more permanent In fisheries – a move from diversifying livelihoods to moving out of fisheries completely Culturally, a big step leading to adaptation or conflict? ?

7. “A man may leave his wife but never his fishing spot” (local Tamil saying, Pulicat lake fishery, India)

8. Conflict between the promotion of livelihood alternatives (moving out of fisheries) vs. a strong attachment to a fishing way of life Evidence from India… “When I hear the words alternative livelihoods I feel a fire in my stomach. For whom will you provide alternatives? Do you have jobs for all fishermen here?” Fishermen meeting with academics, India

9. Inter-community/ family conflicts… e.g. Divisions between fishing youth and elders Interview with fishing youths Q: How do you see the future of this area? A: “We want jobs to come here. There is no future in fishing. We want industry and tourism here” Q: Won’t this affect your fathers fishing practice? A:“you have to lose a little to gain a little”.

10. Gender considerations? The role of women in adaptation in fishing households Women are mainly involved in the selling of fish in India, but the income they contribute to the household may influence the willingness and ability of their husbands to change livelihood

11. Conclusions - parallel challenges between fisheries and climate change research • An adaptation fund for fisheries? • Transferable solutions? Northern solutions (e.g. quotas) are often inappropriate for application in the south • How to recognise the significance of cultures, gender, age, value sets within ‘community’ adaptation? • Culture as a facilitator or barrier to adaptation within fisheries? • Where is adaptation working / failing in fisheries – can this inform expectations in climate change?

12. Thank you Email: scoulthard@fmg.uva.nl