Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / Poverty dynamics and livelihood challenges among small-scale fishing communities on Lake Kariba (Zimbabwe) The aim of this study was to assess poverty among small-scale fishing communities on Lake Kariba (Zimbabwe) as well to as identify livelihood challenges that confront them. Two fishing communities were used as case studies and were uniquely selected from among the many fishing camps/villages dotted along the Zimbabwean shoreline of Lake Kariba. Depending on gear type, fishing activities on Lake Kariba target both the smaller-sized Kapenta species and larger species such as the bream and the tiger. Fishing activities are a major livelihood source for fishers in the two case studies upon which they obtain food and derive income to address other family needs. Mutual linkages and exchanges also exist between fishing camps/villages and communal areas where land-based activities such as cropping and livestock rearing are carried out. Before fieldwork, there was a pre-conceived notion that members of fishing communities on Lake Kariba were very poor. Although the fishers expressed desires for a better life than they were experiencing, they did not consider themselves poor. Instead, they rated their economic position as well off compared to some of their urban counterparts. However, on further interrogation, the study revealed that the fishers were facing a set of vulnerabilities that is commonly associated with the fishing profession. These vulnerabilities had substantial impacts on the livelihood system of these fishers. Using vulnerability ladders, a picture was painted depicting the severity of these vulnerabilities. It emerged that fishers were more vulnerable to existing state institutions that are designed to manage access to and the use of natural resources in the country. There are several reasons to suggest why this is the case which include, (i) the high cost of accessing the fishery, (ii) the stern measures in place that restrict access to and use of the fishery, and (iii) the punitive measures imposed for contravening rules of access and use of the fishery. Although restricting access is in line with the principle of long run sustainability of the fishery, it may threaten the development of the fishing industry and impact negatively on livelihoods of communities involved. Unlike fisheries elsewhere in the world, Lake Kariba is not viewed as a vehicle for reducing poverty and achieving food security. On the contrary, government places emphasis on preserving and enhancing the natural environment both aquatic and non-aquatic with a view to sustaining tourism. Under such a paradigm, fishing is viewed as a threat to the natural environment and requires strict management. Heavy fines are therefore imposed on users that violate the rules of access. Many of the fishers have had their properties attached after failing to raise the necessary amounts to cover the fines. By shifting away from the promotion of fisheries, government has accelerated the decline of the small-scale fishing industry on Lake Kariba, through narrowing the fishers action space and creating an environment conducive for corruption. The decline has subsequently shrunk the livelihoods base of local communities as well as many others who are associated with the fishing industry. While the sustainability of the fishery is paramount, government needs to reconsider its strategy on governing and managing fisheries on Lake Kariba. Given enough support, small-scale fisheries on Lake Kariba have the potential to contribute significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Small-scale fisheries have also proved their resilience in the wake of the severe economic crisis that Zimbabwe experienced between 2007 and 2009. During this period, there were widespread shortages of basic food items in the country and the demand for fish and fish products rose drastically. The fishers reported that there was an increase in the demand for fish during the crisis period to the extent that they could not supply enough to satisfy the market. This supports the observation by the United Nations (2010) that fisheries, in particular small-scale, can play an important role in the economy in terms of livelihoods, poverty reduction and food security. Fishing activities are also the perfect complement to other land-based livelihood activities for communities that live in close proximity to large water bodies.

Submitted by Maria Suzana Diniz (msuzanad@hotmail.com) on 2015-11-03T15:03:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 4451269 bytes, checksum: f9b87e98dd454fb08074cecc188cc469 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-03T15:03:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 4451269 bytes, checksum: f9b87e98dd454fb08074cecc188cc469 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Sea turtles have a long history of human exploitation around the world who have contributed to the population decline of the species, along with other threats, especially the accidental capture by various types of fishing. Ethnobiological research can provide important information to understand the context of exploitation / interaction of these animals to people. The research was conducted with the localized fishing communities in the Penha Beach and Estuary Mamanguape River (ERM). Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire and semi-structured and free interviews. The questionnaire elicited socioeconomic data on the fishing techniques used, the fishermen's knowledge about sea turtles, incidental capture of events involving these animals and a projective test, with illustrations of the species. Were prepared Local Ecological Knowledge Indicators (LEK) and Conservation Attitudes for fishermen. Our results show that the incidental capture of sea turtles is mainly related to gill net technique. In this technique, large nets catch more turtles accidentally. Recommendations to reduce the incidental capture and mortality of sea turtles are presented. Respondents fishermen recognize the different species of sea turtles that occur in the studied areas. The fishermen showed high ecological knowledge about sea turtles, demonstrated by high values in CEL indicator. The results show that knowledge is not evenly distributed among the fishermen of each community, there are experts in the field at each site. The Conservation Attitudes indicator showed a high predisposition to conservation in the two communities. Were also discussed food taboos, medicinal and traditional use of sea turtles. / Tartarugas marinhas tem longo histórico de exploração humana em todo o mundo, que têm contribuído para o declínio populacional das espécies, juntamente com outras ameaças, com destaque para a captura acidental por diversos tipos de pesca. Pesquisas etnobiológicas, como esta, podem fornecer informações importantes para compreender o contexto de exploração/interação desses animais com as pessoas. A pesquisa foi realizada junto às comunidades de pescadores localizadas na Praia da Penha e no Estuário do Rio Mamanguape (ERM). Os dados foram obtidos através de questionário estruturado e entrevistas semiestruturadas e livres. O questionário levantou dados socioeconômicos, sobre as técnicas de pesca utilizadas, o conhecimento dos pescadores sobre as tartarugas marinhas, eventos de captura incidental envolvendo esses animais e um teste projetivo, com ilustrações das espécies. Foram elaborados Indicadores de Conhecimento Ecológico Local (CEL) e de Atitudes de Conservação para os pescadores. Nossos resultados apontam que a captura acidental de tartarugas marinhas está relacionada principalmente à técnica de rede de espera. Nesta técnica, as redes de malha grande capturam mais tartarugas acidentalmente. São apresentadas recomendações para redução da captura incidental e mortalidade de tartarugas marinhas. Os pescadores entrevistados reconhecem as diferentes espécies de tartarugas marinhas que ocorrem nas áreas estudadas. Parte dos pescadores mostrou elevado conhecimento ecológico sobre tartarugas marinhas, demonstrado por valores elevados no Indicador de CEL. Os resultados mostram que o conhecimento não está uniformemente distribuído entre os pescadores de cada comunidade, há especialistas no assunto em cada local. O Indicador de Atitudes de Conservação mostrou uma alta predisposição para conservação nas duas comunidades. Foram discutidos ainda tabus alimentares, uso medicinal e artesanal de tartarugas marinhas.

Gill nets and longlines were compared as shark nursery sampling methodologies in inshore waters of Georgia to (1) assess differences in gear selectivity, bias, and stress of capture and (2) determine potential relationships between habitat features and shark distribution and abundance. Gear selectivity varied between gears as a function of both species and life stage resulting in significantly different estimates of species and life stage compositions. Juvenile bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo) and young of the year blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) experienced significantly higher stress from gill net capture than longline. Major sources of bias are thought to result from dietary preferences and individual size. Juvenile sandbar shark (C. plumbeus) distribution revealed a potential preference for creeks rather than sounds, between 0.32-0.8km wide and 4.02-8.05km from the ocean. Adult Atlantic sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) appear to prefer larger, open sound waters closer to the ocean. A potential preference for locations in close proximity to jetties over those near oyster reefs was also observed for adult Atlantic sharpnose sharks, and while statistical significance was observed, a stronger pattern may exist, as sample sizes in this study were relatively small yet still able to detect a difference. Future investigations that quantify proportions of habitat availability and shark abundance in a given area may be more useful for identifying preferences for the structures observed in this study. This study also provides strong evidence of finetooth shark (C. isodon) primary and potentially secondary nursery habitat in areas that had not yet been documented. Findings from these investigations can be useful for managers seeking to maintain healthy coastal shark populations.

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