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Transdisciplinary Engagement to Address Transboundary Challenges for Small-Scale Fishers

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Transdisciplinarity for Small-Scale Fisheries Governance

Part of the book series: MARE Publication Series ((MARE,volume 21))

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries and their governance are increasingly affected by natural, social, and political issues that originate outside their immediate control and locality. This chapter explores how researchers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and fisher organizations can collaborate in the pursuit of empowerment small-scale fisheries vis-à-vis such ‘external’ dynamics, with a focus on maritime boundaries. To do so, we first analyse how transboundary maritime issues complicate the operation and welfare of small-scale fishers and may further their marginalization. Second, we explore how transdisciplinary engagement can be key to better understanding and addressing such transboundary challenges. Taking an action-oriented approach, we analyse the opportunities and pitfalls of transdisciplinary collaboration to empower small-scale fishers through five types of intervention strategies: capacity building (strengthening fisher organizations), institution building (building bridges between disparate actors), discourse (reframing the nature of the problem), law (appealing to national or international courts), and mobilization (mobilizing fishers to confront power). Each type of intervention is illustrated with a case study from various parts of the world. We argue that despite potentially conflicting incentives, interests, and accountabilities, transdisciplinary engagement can be both a meaningful and effective practice to empower small-scale fishers vis-à-vis transboundary challenges.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Joeri Scholtens & Maarten Bavinck

  2. Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia

    Andrew M. Song

  3. WorldFish, Honiara, Solomon Islands

    Andrew M. Song

  4. Tata Institute of Social Science, Hyderabad, India

    Johny Stephen

  5. Erigaie Foundation, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Catalina García Chavez

  6. Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

    Merle Sowman

Authors
  1. Joeri Scholtens
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  2. Andrew M. Song
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  3. Johny Stephen
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  4. Catalina García Chavez
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  5. Maarten Bavinck
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  6. Merle Sowman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joeri Scholtens .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada

    Ratana Chuenpagdee

  2. Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway

    Svein Jentoft

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Scholtens, J., Song, A.M., Stephen, J., Chavez, C.G., Bavinck, M., Sowman, M. (2019). Transdisciplinary Engagement to Address Transboundary Challenges for Small-Scale Fishers. In: Chuenpagdee, R., Jentoft, S. (eds) Transdisciplinarity for Small-Scale Fisheries Governance. MARE Publication Series, vol 21. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94938-3_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94938-3_17

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-94937-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-94938-3

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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