Management on Small-Scale Fisheries in Robertsport, Liberia
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The effectiveness of co- management on small-scale fisheries in Robertsport, Liberia Tonia Johnson Boah Final Thesis for MS-Degree in Environment and Natural Resources Supervisor: Sveinn Agnarsson The effectiveness of co-management on small-scale fisheries in Robertsport, Liberia: Tonia Johnson Boah 30-credit thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of a Magister Scientiarum degree in Environment and Natural Resources Supervisor: Sveinn Agnarsson Business Administration Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Iceland School of Environment and Natural Resources University of Iceland. Reykjavik, June 2019 The effectiveness of Co-management on small-scale fisheries in Robertsport, Liberia: This is a 30-credit thesis to obtain a MS degree in Environment and Natural Resources linked with the Faculty of Business Administration, from the School of Social Sciences, at the University of Iceland. © 2019 Tonia Johnson Boah his thesis can only be copied with the author’s permission. Printed by: Prentsmiðja Reykjavik, 2019 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My appreciation to God is unbinding, for it is thru his divine guidance that this dream of mine became a reality. To my husband Mr. Stanley K. Boah and kids Stanley II and Pearl I am forever indebted to you guys for the love and moral support that was shown throughout my academic endeavour. My warmest gratitude goes to the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, Republic of Liberia for sponsoring this Master study. I will forever remain grateful. To my supervisor Mr. Sveinn Agnarsson, I extend my profound thanks and appreciation for the excellent supervision, assistance, confidence and advice. I will forever remain in your debt. I will also like to extend my thanks to the members of the Robertsport co-management, particularly Mr. Johns Adams secretary general for his assistance with conducting the survey on my behalf. My appreciation to the wonderful staff of the University of Iceland, my classmates and by extension the people of Iceland of the many opportunities presented during my stay. It was such an experience and I am grateful. Takk. ABSTRACT Co-management involves the participation of all users in its management process. In small-scale fisheries it should serve as a surest way of maximizing long term communities’ benefit to deal with the dangers of fisheries mismanagement and poverty. Most of the fish consumed in the developing world are through the efforts of small-scale fisheries, yet they remain food insecure, lack access to the resources and opportunities needed to uplift them from the clutches of poverty It is obvious given the above that the need for effective co-management in small-scale fisheries and the shifting of management responsibilities to users is necessary as it minimize the impact of uncontrolled fishing practices which results in decline of the stock. This thesis explores the Cooperative Management Association (CMA) established in Robertsport, Liberia it examines the effects of such practice and propose to justify why its establishment in all other coastal counties in Liberia will alleviate the problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. In determining the effectiveness of co-management this study employed a survey using open ended questions. Findings from this study analysis depicts the extent to which the locals are empowered through the establishment of the CMA and establish how much impact in terms of proper governance has it had on the management of the resources. The significance of the results provides insight information about the effectiveness of co-management and how it could improve the resilience and stability of fishing communities. The Government of Liberia quest to safeguard marine and coastal resources, due to the number of families that rely on this sector for livelihood, the recommendation from this study will serve as an informative tool needed to advance other CMA projects in the eight remaining coastal counties of Liberia. Key words: Co-management, small- scale fisheries, effectiveness Table of Contents List of Figure .................................................................................................................................................. 8 List Tables ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 List of Abbreviation ..................................................................................................................................... 10 1 Chapter .................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Research Question ........................................................................................................................ 3 1.4 Organization of the study: ............................................................................................................ 4 2 Chapter .................................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1 Background information ............................................................................................................... 5 2.2 The country ................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 The people .................................................................................................................................... 6 2.4 The economy ................................................................................................................................. 6 2.5 Fisheries sector overview .............................................................................................................. 7 2.6 Main species in Liberia: ................................................................................................................. 8 3 Chapter .................................................................................................................................................. 9 3.1 Theory of fisheries management .................................................................................................. 9 3.2 The fundamental fisheries problem............................................................................................ 11 3.3 Theoretical considerations of fisheries management regimes ................................................... 13 3.4 Fisheries management systems .................................................................................................. 13 3.4.1 Economic fisheries management ........................................................................................ 14 3.4.2 Biological Fisheries management ....................................................................................... 15 3.5 Monitoring, control and durveillance (MCS) .............................................................................. 16 4 Chapter ................................................................................................................................................ 17 4.1 Concept of co-management in small- scales fisheries ................................................................ 17 5 Chapter ................................................................................................................................................ 20 5.1 Result -Based Management in Fisheries ..................................................................................... 20 6 Chapter ................................................................................................................................................ 21 6.1 Study Area ................................................................................................................................... 21 7 Chapter ................................................................................................................................................ 23 7.1 Territorial Users Right and Community Management ................................................................ 23 7.2 Definition of TURFs ..................................................................................................................... 24 7.3 Dimension of TURFs .................................................................................................................... 24 7.4 Potentials Benefits of TURFs ....................................................................................................... 25 7.5 The Effectiveness of TURFs ......................................................................................................... 26 8 Chapter ................................................................................................................................................ 27 8.1 Fisheries Management in Liberia ................................................................................................ 27 8.2 Co-management in Robertsport ................................................................................................. 29 9 Chapter ...............................................................................................................................................