Livelihoods of Small-Scale Fishers of Struisbaai: Implications for Marine Protected Area Planning

University of Cape Town Faculty of Humanities Livelihoods of Small-scale Fishers of Struisbaai: Implications for Marine Protected Area Planning A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirementsTown for the award of the degree of Master of Social Science in Environmental and Geographical Science University of Cape Town Cape of November 2013 University By Kashiefa Parker PRKKAS002 Supervision Prof Merle Sowman and Dr Serge Raemaekers The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgementTown of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Cape Published by the University ofof Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University Plagiarism declaration This dissertation is my own work. I know that plagiarism is wrong. Plagiarism is to use another’s work and pretend that it is one’s own. I have used the Harvard convention for citation and referencing. Each contribution to, and quotation in this dissertation from the work(s) of other people has been attributed, and has been cited and referenced. I have not allowed, and will not allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her own work. Signature: __________________________________________Date:________________________ Town Cape of University Abstract South Africa’s coastal environment is characterized by an increasing network of Marine Protected Areas (MPA), with the purpose of conserving fisheries resources and marine biodiversity. The coast is also home to over a hundred rural small-scale fisher communities, such as the community at Struisbaai Noord, which are considered to be marginalised communities heavily dependent on marine resources for their food security and income needs. The small-scale fisher community at Struisbaai Noord is one of several fisheries operating in the waters off the coast of Struisbaai. The others are: a migratory commercial line fishery, boat and shore-based recreational fishery, chokka squid commercial fishery, and commercial trawlers. The overall aim of this study is to understand the human (social, economic, cultural and institutional) dimensions of the small-scale fisheries sector in Struisbaai, with a particular focus on the livelihood strategies that fishers in this community employ, in order to inform future marine protected area planning in the Agulhas region. The research is informed and inspired by new thinking and approaches to fisheries governance, particularly systems thinking and the recognition of fishery systems as complex socio-ecological systems. The study uses a case study and mixed methods approach and the analysis of data is guided by the sustainable livelihoods framework. Both qualitative and quantitativeTown methods were used to collect the data, which included 36 household surveys, 2 focus groups meetings, 14 key informant interviews and 2 participatory mapping exercises. This study has revealed that the small-scale fishers of Struisbaai Noord have a high dependence on harvesting marine resources for their food security andCape livelihood needs. Their strong social, cultural, historical and traditional links to the sea, coupledof with their limited asset base, and the lack of alternative livelihood opportunities, render them a particularly vulnerable group within the broader Struisbaai fishery system. The study has also shown that small-scale fishers’ vulnerability is exacerbated by shocks and trends within their immediate environment (such as competition with other fisheries, limited power in local market structures, limited gear, and lack of access to educational and transport infrastructure), as well as a set of external factors outside the fishery such as environmental and climate variability, the international conservation agendas, and broader governance and institutionalUniversity processes. The fishers of Struisbaai have witnessed changes in the distribution and abundance of marine resources in their region, and recognize the need for conservation. Yet, they are sceptical of government and conservation authorities proposals to declare MPAs, and do not want to lose access to their traditional fishing grounds. This study, therefore, provides information about the small-scale fishers of Struisbaai Noord and recommendations that can inform future marine conservation planning in the Agulhas region. It specifically puts forward the idea of marine spatial planning for the region as a means of achieving ecological, economic and social objectives. It highlights that such planning should include consideration of the human dimensions of the small-scale fishers, as well as strategies that address their vulnerability. Recommendations include, the need to recognize the rights of these fishers, incorporation of local and indigenous knowledge, identification and development of supplementary livelihoods, strengthening participation and building local capacity, ensuring local economic development, enhancing local market infrastructure and transparency, and effectively managing a multi-user fishery system. i Acknowledgements My first gratitude will always be to Almighty God for blessing me with the ability to write these words. The completion of this thesis would not have been possible without the support, guidance, assistance, advice and patience of so many important people. First and foremost my highest appreciation to my supervisors Prof Merle Sowman, Dr Serge Raemaekers, and Dr Maria Hauck (in the early stages of this thesis), whose guidance, advice, feedback and recommendations have been invaluable. Many thanks go to the staff of the Environmental Evaluation Unit, who welcomed me warmly back into the department. The fieldwork stages of this research would not have been feasible without the administrative support of Fahdelah Hartley and Aldino Arendse who have always been of great assistance. To Jackie Sunde, Oliver Shultz and Leila Emdon, it has been a pleasure to be part of The ‘Human Dimensions of MPAs’ project team with you. To Samantha Williams, Abraham Dabengwa, Phil Krogt, Philile Mbatha and Mayra Perreira, for their support, encouragement and camaraderie at different stages of this project – it would have been difficult to survive the pressures of this undertaking without you. I will be forever grateful to the fisher community of Struisbaai Noord, who welcomed me with warmth and openness into their homes. The research assistants JuniqueTown Claasen and Dylan Smith, who have given their full commitment to the research, are thanked for their willingness and hard work. I would also like to thank Gwen and Annike at the Struisbaai library, who have been hospitable and accommodating on each field visit, by allowing me to utilise spaces in the Struisbaai library. I am extremely grateful to the many fishers whose words andCape experiences moved me to write this thesis, especially Oom Pietie and Oom Sias. Thank you to Stuart du Plessis, without your assistance I would not have had the opportunity to gather such richof and useful information. Lastly, a special thank you is due to my family, especially my parents and siblings, for their support and faith in me. To my new family, thank you for all the encouragement. To my husband, who sat with me countless late nights, whose patience encouraged me, who shared in the little triumphs and who has been a pillar of strength through all the demanding moments, thank you. This research would not have been possible without the financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF), the UniversityNedbank Green Trust fund, and the WWF Prince Bernhard Scholarship for Nature Conservation. ii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements....................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables .............................................................................................................................. viii List of Acronyms .......................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1 – Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Rationale for the study ............................................................................................................ 5 1.3 Aims and objectives of the study ............................................................................................. 6 1.4 Case study site ........................................................................................................................Town 6 1.5 Study limitations ..................................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Structure of dissertation .........................................................................................................

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