The New Zealand (NZ) sea lion Phocarctos hookeri is the only pinniped endemic to NZ with a population of approximately 12,000 individuals. Its breeding range is currently restricted to NZ sub-Antarctic islands, and it has failed to recolonise its pristine distribution around the NZ main islands despite its protection since 1881. The current hypothesis is that the population growth of this pinniped is limited by the distribution of suitable prey on the Auckland Islands (50°30'S, 166°E) shelf, and by the direct and indirect pressure exerted by the arrow squid Nototodarus sloani fishery. However, this hypothesis has not been fully tested to date as there has been limited information on the diet of the NZ sea lion and their potential prey. The objective of this thesis is to analyse the diet of NZ sea lions over several years with particular emphasis on the most reproductively important segment of the population: lactating females. This thesis provides the first quantification by percentage mass of the diet of NZ sea lion using a combination of stomach content analysis, qualitative fatty acid (FA) analysis, and quantitative FA signature analysis (QFASA). Stomach contents and blubber FAs were analysed from 121 individuals incidentally caught (by-caught) in the southern arrow squid fishery from the years 1997 to 2006. The blubber FAs of 78 freeranging lactating females captured at Enderby Island, Auckland Islands, were also examined during January and February of 2000 to 2005. Data obtained from both stomach analysis and QFASA indicate that arrow squid, rattails Macrouridae, hoki Macruronus novaezelandiae and red cod Pseudophycis bachus are key prey species for NZ sea lions in the Auckland Islands region. Because these prey species live mostly at depths greater than 200 m, lactating females must undertake long foraging trips and dive regularly to greater depths than other sea lion species. Data from QFASA indicates that this foraging pattern is conducted over an extended period through the summer and autumn. The daily food requirement of a lactating female was estimated by a simple energetic model to be greater than 20% of its body mass. During years of low arrow squid recruitment such as 1999 and 2001, the amounts of squid required by the NZ sea lion population may have been similar to the amount harvested by the fishery, suggesting that resource competition is likely to occur between the arrow squid fishery and NZ sea lions in years of low squid abundance. Half of the fishing activity of the southern squid fishery occurs in the north of the Auckland Islands shelf where NZ sea lions forage, leading to incidental captures every year. This research emphasises that management of the NZ sea lion must not only consider the direct interactions with the arrow squid fishery, but also the likelihood of food resource competition between the fishery and NZ sea lions.

No description available.

No description available.

Commercial fisheries on the West Coast are traditionally managed under large-scale management and conservation plans implemented by state and federal agencies. This scale of management can present obstacles for fishing communities. This thesis examines emerging cases of attempts to define and implement sustainable management of commercial fisheries under a community-based co-management model. In Port Orford, Sitka, San Diego and Santa Barbara, preliminary community-based co-management models are enabling fishing communities to pursue social sustainability through preserving access, participating in local science, and direct marketing for fish products. These communities are actively reshaping traditional models of conceptualizing and managing common-pool resources like fisheries.

Los objetivos de la tesis fueron estudiar los factores que pueden explicar la variabilidad existente en la distribución e intensidad de la pesca artesanal en torno a una reserva marina (RM), valorar el efecto de la protección sobre la pesca y analizar y valorar los efectos bio-económicos de configuraciones alternativas de diseño y gestión. Los resultados revelaron que las embarcaciones artesanales calan más artes, de menor longitud, en zonas de elevada diversidad de hábitats. El rendimiento pesquero depende del nivel de protección, la distancia a la RM y la diversidad de artes por unidad de área. La protección está teniendo resultados positivos sobre las poblaciones de peces explotadas y beneficiando a la economía local. El aumento de superficie protegida, distribuido en varias reservas integrales en emplazamientos adecuados, distanciadas unas decenas kilómetros, más que la reducción del esfuerzo, tendría efectos positivos sobre el poblamiento de peces y la economía local. / The aim of the present work is to study the factors that may explain the variability in distribution and intensity of artisanal fishing around a marine reserve, evaluate the reserve effect and analyze and assess the biological and economic effects of alternative configurations of a marine protected area. The results revealed that artisanal vessels used more fishing gears, but shorter, in high habitat diversity areas. The fishing yield depends of protection level, distance to marine reserve and diversity of fishing gears per unit area. The protection measures have had positive results on exploited fish populations and in the local economy. The increase of protected area surface, distributed on several no take zones at appropriate locations, a few kilometers apart, more than the reduction of the fishing effort, would have positive effects on the population of commercial fishes and the local economy.

This doctoral thesis examines the challenges to co-management in the Tanzania part of Lake Victoria. The study mainly addresses the Nile perch fishery and uses the fishing communities of Bukoba Rural district, Tanzania as a case study. Co-management in Lake Victoria is defined as the sharing of the management responsibilities between the state and the fishing communities. Co-management was adopted in the Lake Victoria fisheries on the understanding that it has the capacity to provide space in which the poor resource users could be empowered to sustainably manage their resource base. The assumption was that the sharing of the management responsibilities between the state and the community of users would have led to equity in resource access, poverty reduction and resource sustainability. Thus, reducing the role of the state and enhancing that of the communities was seen as a solution to the problems of poverty and illegal fishing that are threatening the sustainability of the fishery and the fishers dependent on it. However, in spite of these proclaimed efforts, illegal fishing and poverty in Lake Victoria remain major threats to the long-term sustainability of the fishery, a fact that is raising questions on the efficacy of co-management in Lake Victoria. These questions have particularly focused on the co-management model and the neo-liberal ideals that underlie it, namely decentralization, participation and accountability. The central argument in this thesis, however, is that co-management performance in Lake Victoria is to a large extent shaped by the complex international, national, and local context in which it is implemented and which in turn shapes the problems of poverty and illegal fishing that co-management is supposed to address. The study concludes that the international and national politics behind the Nile perch fishery intersect with the cultural and social context in which the fishery is embedded to shape co-management performance at the local level. For analysis, the study applies a multi-level approach and draws insights from the common pool resources theory, the actor-oriented approach, the entitlement framework, and the theory of the state. Detailed interviews across scale, secondary data, policy documents, and laws, supported by quantitative data are the methods applied.

Η παρούσα μελέτη έχει ως στόχο τη διερεύνηση της δυναμικής του αλιευτικού στόλου της Ελλάδας και άλλων κρατών-μελών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης (Ε.Ε.). Το εργαλείο που χρησιμοποιήθηκε για τη διερεύνηση είναι το Κοινό Αλιευτικό Μητρώο (Κ.Α.Μ., Community Fleet Register). Το Κ.Α.Μ. είναι μια βάση δεδομένων των εγγεγραμμένων αλιευτικών σκαφών της κάθε χώρας με στοιχεία που αφορούν τα τεχνικά χαρακτηριστικά τους (μήκος, ισχύς κινητήρα, χωρητικότητα, αλιευτικά εργαλεία) καθώς και άλλες σημαντικές πληροφορίες (έτος κατασκευής, ένταξης στο στόλο, απόσυρσης κ.α.). Επιπλέον, αποτελεί το μοναδικό κοινό και ταυτόχρονα αξιόπιστο εργαλείο αναφοράς μεταξύ των κρατών-μελών της Ε.Ε. Οι επιμέρους στόχοι της μελέτης θα μπορούσαν να συνοψιστούν στους παρακάτω: α) η μεταβολή στο χρόνο των κλάδων της αλιείας (μικρή, μέση, υπερπόντια) και των τεχνικών χαρακτηριστικών των σκαφών που τις απαρτίζουν, β) η διερεύνηση για τη μείωση της αλιευτικής πίεσης μέσω των διαφόρων μεταρρυθμιστικών μέτρων στα οποία έχει προβεί η κοινότητα (MAGP I-IV), γ) η ύπαρξη ή όχι κοινού προτύπου μείωσης στα διάφορα κράτη-μέλη και τέλος δ) η εξέλιξη της δυναμικής του στόλου στις πιο εξαρτώμενες από την αλιεία περιοχές και οι διαφορές που αυτές παρουσιάζουν σε σχέση με το γενικό μοντέλο κάθε κράτους-μέλους στο οποίο ανήκουν. Η μελέτη αυτή είναι σημαντική λόγω της εξέχουσας θέσης που κατέχει η Ελλάδα στον Ευρωπαϊκό αλιευτικό στόλο αλλά και της ιδιομορφίας της. Είναι χαρακτηριστικό ότι το 20% περίπου των σκαφών του κοινοτικού στόλου είναι νηολογημένο στην Ελλάδα, αλλά αντιστοιχεί σε λιγότερο από το 5% της συνολικής χωρητικότητας και το 8% της ισχύος κινητήρα. Επίσης, γίνεται προσπάθεια να αναδειχθούν οι διαφορές μεταξύ χωρών και ιδιαίτερα περιοχών με διαφορετικά επίπεδα εξάρτησης από την αλιεία. Παράλληλα όμως, μπορεί να συμβάλλει στην προσπάθεια του γενικότερου πλάνου διαχείρισης της αλιείας στην Ε.Ε., μέσω των διαφόρων μεταρρυθμιστικών μέτρων για τη μείωση της αλιευτικής πίεσης με στόχο τη σταθεροποίηση και τη διατήρηση των ιχθυαποθεμάτων. / The present study has as a main goal to investigate the fishing fleet dynamics of Greece and the Member States of European Union. The tool that was used to achieve this goal was the Community Fleet Register which is a database that contains all fishing vessels of each Member State. The data for each vessel are classified in those that concern technical characteristics of the vessel (length, engine power, vessel’s gross tonnage, fishing gears) and other types of data (construction year, commission year , decommission year). Furthermore, Community Fleet Register is the only common and accurate tool that can serve as reference database for vessels characteristics among the member states of E.U. the objectives of this study can be summarized into these: a) the change through time of the fishing fleet segments (small scale fishery, industrial fishery, b) the investigation about the reduction of fishing effort through the structural policies of E.U. from the start of Common Fisheries Policy, c) the presence or not of a common reduction profile among the Member States and d) the fleet dynamics of E.U. fisheries most dependent areas with the differences that may be appeared from the general model of each Member State they belong. The importance of this study consists in the leading role of Greece at Community’s. Fishing Fleet and simultaneously it’s significant structure. It is common knowledge that although approximately the 20% E.U.’ s fishing vessels are registered in Greece only 5% of total tonnage and 8% of total engine power are entitled in Greek fishing vessels. At the same time there is an effort to come up with the differences between the Member States with different fisheries dependence level. Ultimately, this study tries to contribute to the efforts of a holistic E.U. fisheries management, throughout the policies for the reduction of fishing effort, aiming to a sustainable and viable fisheries sector.

In a bid to support the harvesting of marine resources amongst the rural coastal communities and fishing sectors of Eritrea; the traditional fishermen of the coastal and island communities of this country have been involved in formal training regarding their fishing skills. The training programmes are intended to transfer fishing knowledge to the traditional fishermen of coastal communities and to introduce appropriate basic fishing skills through the Hirgigo Fishing Training Centre (HFTC). This study analyses the perceived role of the fishing training programme in improving fishing activities. The study further evaluates the HFTC programme, from the perspective of its 'traditional fishermen' target audience. Criteria for the observation and the focal point of the analysis, is to reveal ways in which to best contribute to the development of the fishing villages. This research therefore poses the following question: Is the current training sufficient to develop fishing livelihoods in rural coastal fishing communities, so improving the lives of the people in the fishing villages of Eritrea - or is a greater socio-cultural understanding of the fishing communities required, complimented by subsequent grass-roots development? In order to answer this question, the study will depend upon the perceptions of key informants and trained fishermen - which are used to examine the impact of the training centre and its programmes. In order to evaluate the HFTC training programme, the study applies a mixture of evaluative social research using the 'naturalistic model' as well as 'Participatory Rural Appraisal' (PRA) research methodologies. The data collection and analysis of the research study is based upon qualitative research methods. Traditional Eritrean coastal fishing life is based upon traditional knowledge, customs, religion, culture and behavioural experiences that emphasise the flexibility of livelihoods amongst rural shore inhabitants - over many generations. It is suggested that, as a consequence, the training and development programme faces difficulties in penetrating the inherent characteristics of traditional fishing. The study shows that while the training programme curricula and instructors' teaching methods are appropriate for the traditional fishermen, they cannot adequately address the everyday constraints experienced by these individuals and their communities. Traditional fishermen are dependent upon multiple livelihoods. While the research participants perceived fishing as a very important way of making a living (as opposed to other livelihoods) they are not willing to rely exclusively on fishing. This study further shows that Eritrean fishing communities are rooted in traditional attitudes and have unique socio-cultural characteristics. As a research area, the social and cultural milieu of coastal communities is fascinating and requires further social research studies; as does the context of social organisations in coastal and island communities, their indigenous knowledge, culture and ecology. These require special attention to assist rural coastal and island communities and develop academic social and cultural studies. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005

Sound management of information and data is an essential cornerstone for efficient and effective decision making. Structured, up to date and easily retrievable data from several heterogeneous sources is often required to effectively manage, monitor and predict resource quantities particularly for depleting resources such as fish. The documentation and management of fisheries data in most developing countries however poses great challenges. The main aim of this study therefore is to design an information system (IS) for Artisanal Fisheries management. The developed IS is supported by a database. Secondary data, from the provincial offices of Moma and Angoche in Mozambique, is used to test and populate the prototype database. The manner in which the database is developed demonstrates how in practice a database can be created as part of an information system. However, due to time restrictions, a complete database for the AF system could not be developed. To accomplish the objectives of the study, a model of the Artisanal Fisheries (AF) system was developed first. Based on standard system development approaches, the key components of the AF system that include; processes, data flows and data stores, were identified. The developed conceptual system was then used to identify critical data stores for the AF system and data models were subsequently developed. A prototype database to support the AF system was then implemented in MS Access. The motivation for this study is as a result of two observations made on information management which are a challenge in artisanal fisheries management in Moma-Angoche. These observations are; (i) the current information system lacks a structured approach and a database to document and archive data/information on the artisanal fisheries subsector; and, (ii) the high proportion of the data/information collected from different sources is not well processed, analyzed and is not user-friendly as yet. The Moma-Angoche Provincial Fisheries office was chosen because it is strategically suitable for research. This has been demonstrated by the amount of socio-economic artisanal fishing census data already collected and by the research on stock marine resources already carried out. As a result, the study area has become a pilot zone of integrated fisheries development projects. During the life cycle of the various projects, and even after their termination, the area remained an important zone where subsequent studies (for example baseline studies) were carried out. Furthermore, the existence of subsequent data available from those studies allows a good opportunity for data comparisons to be made. / Thesis (M.Env.Dev.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

This investigation indicates that there are regions within Europe that seems to have similar preferences and priorities regarding pike angling travels to Sweden. Swedish pike angling facilities process in first hand markets with favourable economic circumstances and a cultural interest for pike angling. There was a big differences in features between the Northern, Western, Eastern and Southern regions of Europe. They also seems to be tied to specific regions within some of the nations. The regions have diverse requirements and distinguish in terms of consumption and preferences regarding different aspects of pike angling. From there it is possible to divide pike angling tourists into segments. Sometimes the identified regions have economic or cultural linkage, consequently parallels can be drawn to research in the field of international marketing. The North European market for pike angling tourism in Sweden is varying where the English and Baltic states is more frequently processed than the domestic market. Markets outside of the Nordic countries were the most important among the pike angling facilities, standing for approximately 90 % of the businesses. In this Investigation two segments were observed in countries with in general weaker economic circumstances. Usually these countries had a budget concentrated consumption but also elements of a more luxurious consumption pattern. These countries were located in Eastern Europe. Angling tourists from Western Europe have in general more purchase power and constitute the most important markets for the Swedish pike angling facilities. Tourists from Western Europe are by tradition the most frequent visitors. The economic situation in the Southern Europe together with lack of cultural interest for pike angling seems to be an explanation for the low activity in processing of these markets. The only exception is the Italian market which on a regional level is more frequently processed among the Swedish pike angling facilities. In this investigation, markets from 17 Swedish pike angling facilities were mapped by the frequency of process through phone surveys. Characteristics of the companies were either profiled businesses towards pike angling or had a strong dependence on resource of pike in their business. Tour operators from 11 countries who offers packaged travels to the facilities were also interviewed through phone surveys. The facilities together with the tour operators identified some economic preferences and cultural differences between some nations and regions. For better background data about the interest for pike in Europe 6 angling associations answered an e-mail survey. The investigation also includes an interview with one of the pioneers and former vice president for one of the most successful pike angling facilities in Sweden. Selection of facilities, concepts and parameters is inspired by the authorities’ publications in the field of angling tourism. Also advices from the national angling project (SwedenFishing) have inspired parts of this thesis. / Utredningen indikerar att det finns regioner i Europa som har liknande preferenser och prioriteringar när de reser för att fiska gädda i Sverige. De svenska gäddfiskeanläggningarna bearbetar framför allt marknader som har gynnsamma förhållanden i ekonomiska förutsättningar och kulturellt intresse för gäddfiske. Det fanns stora skillnader i egenskaper av regionerna som kan delas in i Nord-, Väst-, Öst- och Sydeuropa. Dessa visade sig även vara bundet till vissa regioner inom nationerna. De olika regionerna har olika behov och utmärker sig olika i sin konsumtion och preferenser när det gäller aspekter av gäddfiske. Därefter går det att dela in gäddfisketurismen i olika segment. Regionerna har ibland ekonomiska och kulturella samband vilket paralleller kan dras till forskning inom internationell marknadsföring. Den Nordeuropeiska marknaden för gäddfisketurism får anses vara varierande där England samt de baltiska staterna bearbetades mer frekvent än den svenska marknaden. De utomnordiska marknaderna var de klart mest betydelsefulla bland anläggningarna med en ungefärlig andel på 90 % av verksamheten. I utredningen uppmärksammades två segment i länder med generellt svagare ekonomiska förutsättningar, de hade mestadels en budgetinriktad konsumtion med inslag av lyxkonsumtion, dessa var framförallt länder i Östeuropa. Generellt är turisterna från Västeuropa mer köpkraftiga och utgör de viktigaste marknaderna för de svenska gäddfiskeanläggningarna, de är också av tradition de mest frekvent besökande. Den ekonomiska situationen i Sydeuropa tillsammans med avsaknad av kulturellt intresse för gäddfiske verkar vara förklaringen till den låga aktiviteten i bearbetningen av dessa marknader. Det enda undantaget är den Italienska marknaden där den lokalt bearbetas i större utsträckning av svenska gäddfiskeanläggningar.   I utredningen kartlades marknaderna som 17 svenska gäddfiskeanläggningarna bearbetar genom en telefonenkät. De var oftast profilerade eller var starkt beroende av gäddresursen i sin verksamhet. Även reseoperatörer från 11 olika länder som säljer paketerade resor till dessa anläggningar intervjuades genom en telefonenkät. För att få en bättre bakgrundsdata om intresset för gäddfiske besvarades även en mailenkät av 6 lobbyorganisationer för sportfiske. Utredningen omfattar även en intervju med en av pionjärerna och tidigare VD för en av de framgångsrikaste gäddfiskeanläggningarna. Urval, begrepp samt parametrar är inspirerade av myndigheternas publikationer i ämnet. Även råd från det nationella fiskeprojektet i Sverige (SwedenFishing) har gett inspiration till delar av uppsatsen.