Resolving environmental issues in the southern Brazilian artisanal penaeid-trawl fishery through adaptive co-management

• Published in: Marine policy 2013-11, Vol.42, p.133-141
• Main Authors: Silva, Catarina N.S., Broadhurst, Matt K., Medeiros, Rodrigo P., Dias, José H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptive co-management; Artisanal fishery; Brazil; Fisheries management; Penaeid trawl; Sustainable fisheries
• ISSN: 0308-597X; 1872-9460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2013.02.002

Many conventional management strategies have been demonstrated to be ineffective in achieving sustainable fisheries, and new approaches are required to overcome existing environmental, social and economic problems. Adaptive co-management represents the combination of a learning-by-doing approach (adaptive management) involving all related and legitimate stakeholders in the decision-making process (collaborative management). In this study, the relevant experiences from a fishery in southern Brazil are reported. The first section of the paper summarizes the broad history of national fisheries and their management. Then the southern Brazilian artisanal penaeid-trawl fishery is briefly described and the three main problems associated with the common gears used are discussed, including their (1) poor size and species selectivities, (2) poor efficiencies, and (3) their mechanical impacts on benthic habitats. Finally, a framework is proposed to address the environmental and socio-economic issues in the fishery and its implementation discussed via an adaptive co-management approach. ► The history of Brazilian fisheries and their management are summarized. ► The key problems associated with commonly used penaeid trawls are detailed. ► A framework to address relevant environmental and socio-economic issues is proposed. ► An adaptive co-management approach is justified to implement the framework.