Publisher :
Place of publication :
Publication year : 2009
Thematic : Fisheries
Language : English
Note
Fishers’ attitudes and perceptions are critical for the success of fisheries protection areas with their associated
biota, and a failure to understand fishers’ behaviour may undermine the success of such fisheries
management measures. In this study, we examine fishers’ perception of a long-established exclusive fisheries
zone around Malta and to investigate if the perceptions depend on fishers’ demographic, economic,
social characteristics and fishing activity of the fishers. A questionnaire survey was undertaken to evaluate
the demographic characteristics, economic situation (costs and revenue) and fishers’ activity and
behaviour, together with their perception of the Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ). A total of 241 interview
responses were analysed which was a response rate of 60%. The perception of most fishers was that
the establishment of the FMZ has had an overall negative impact on their fishing activity and that the
zone is not important for the protection of local fish stocks. When asked about the beneficial effect of
the zone for fishers, most fishers from all backgrounds said that the zone does not benefit commercial
fishers, but benefits mainly recreational fishers. The most evident differences in the perceptions and attitudes
were between the full-time, part-time and recreational fishers. Fishers that have been fishing for
more than 35 years and fishers from the main fishing village also had different attitudes from other fishers
towards the FMZ. The results of this study suggest that the proportion of individual income derived
from fishing was the strongest factor that influenced attitudinal differences, with home port and fishing
experience having less important effects. The main differences in attitude among fishers were related to
the protection and conservation effects of the zone, enhancement of resources and conflicts among user
groups. The heterogeneity among fishers’ attitudes revealed by the present study has important implications
for the implementation of spatial closures. Some sectors of stakeholders may require additional
incentives to accept restrictions on access if spatial management is to achieve its intended objectives.
Go to source
Keywords : Pseudorabdion talonuran
Encoded by : Pauline Carmel Joy Eje
