Abstract
A thorough understanding of livelihoods is necessary to ensure development policies are compatible with both resource conservation and the social and economic goals of development. Few studies, however, focus on value-adding activities occurring post-harvest in artisanal fisheries. The transformation of mollusc shells and skeletal remains of other marine taxa into artistic jewellery and decorative items is becoming an increasingly important livelihood activity for rural, coastal communities across the Pacific. We examine the potential challenges facing the shell-based handicraft sector and opportunities for overcoming these challenges using a quantitative study of artisans among the Tigak Islands of Papua New Guinea. The major challenges facing this livelihood sector are perceptions of marine resource declines and a lack of livelihood flexibility, attributed to the specialisation of material assets and skills. Improving market heterogeneity and developing coastal aquaculture may facilitate sustainable development of this livelihood sector.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) within ACIAR Project FIS/2014/061 “Improving technical and institutional capacity to support development of mariculture based livelihoods and industry in New Ireland, Papua New Guinea” led by PCS at the University of the Sunshine Coast. It was conducted with approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Sunshine Coast (A/17/953). We are grateful to the staff at the NFA Nago Island Mariculture and Research Facility for in-country support and help for facilitating this research. The Nusa Islands’ Chairman Michael Mangun, De’arne Kershler, Sue McCraig, and the Bilas Design Team are also thanked for facilitating interactions with artisans.
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Simard, N.S., Militz, T.A., Kinch, J. et al. Artisanal, shell-based handicraft in Papua New Guinea: Challenges and opportunities for livelihoods development. Ambio 48, 374–384 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-018-1078-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-018-1078-z