Abstract
We report results of a survey of small-scale fisheries in the Egyptian Red Sea, which is both a tourism hotspot and a resource for artisan and subsistence fishers. Red Sea artisan fishers are subject to a seasonal closure that affects their precarious income, and the fishery is thought to be declining. Separate regulation of ‘Tourist’ fishing boats is said to be widely abused. Resources for monitoring and management are strongly constrained by budget and availability of technology.
We are exploring the scope for building confidence and a more science-based, equitable and effective management system that includes co-management and co-operation through the fisheries co-operatives, making use of appropriate data limited stock assessment methods. To that end, we conducted a survey of artisan fishers at Egyptian Red Sea ports, collating basic fisheries, social and economic data and gathering fisher’s opinions and attitudes. 51% of respondents wanted to discontinue fishing but had no other source of income. Income from fishing was found to be marginal (disposable income ≤0) for 87% of respondents. 83% assessed their CPUE and income to have declined over the past 10 years and 76% were not expecting to pass their trade onto the next generation.
16% identified the seasonal closure as the main threat to the viability of their fishery, though 61% blamed over-fishing. There is evidence that the seasonal closures have reduced trust in regulatory authorities and artisan fishers seem to resent the tourist fishers appearing to be regulated less strenuously. 80% believed the seasonal closure failed to protect fish stocks and 58% of those surveyed do not believe that species spawning coincided with the closure. Comparison with published spawning dates for the most relevant species largely confirmed their suspicion. 75% of respondents reported that recreational fisheries (not subject to the seasonal closure) landed substantial quantities of fish.
In the context of very limited fisheries data and management/enforcement resources, these probably declining fisheries, with marginal incomes (worsened by increasing fuel costs and inflation) are in urgent need of effective management. After applying Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) to investigate the proposed alternatives for the closure, the most efficient approach would be provided to the government fisheries agency for discussion.
We are exploring the scope for building confidence and a more science-based, equitable and effective management system that includes co-management and co-operation through the fisheries co-operatives, making use of appropriate data limited stock assessment methods. To that end, we conducted a survey of artisan fishers at Egyptian Red Sea ports, collating basic fisheries, social and economic data and gathering fisher’s opinions and attitudes. 51% of respondents wanted to discontinue fishing but had no other source of income. Income from fishing was found to be marginal (disposable income ≤0) for 87% of respondents. 83% assessed their CPUE and income to have declined over the past 10 years and 76% were not expecting to pass their trade onto the next generation.
16% identified the seasonal closure as the main threat to the viability of their fishery, though 61% blamed over-fishing. There is evidence that the seasonal closures have reduced trust in regulatory authorities and artisan fishers seem to resent the tourist fishers appearing to be regulated less strenuously. 80% believed the seasonal closure failed to protect fish stocks and 58% of those surveyed do not believe that species spawning coincided with the closure. Comparison with published spawning dates for the most relevant species largely confirmed their suspicion. 75% of respondents reported that recreational fisheries (not subject to the seasonal closure) landed substantial quantities of fish.
In the context of very limited fisheries data and management/enforcement resources, these probably declining fisheries, with marginal incomes (worsened by increasing fuel costs and inflation) are in urgent need of effective management. After applying Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) to investigate the proposed alternatives for the closure, the most efficient approach would be provided to the government fisheries agency for discussion.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 11 Sept 2023 |
| Event | ICES Annual Science Conference 2023 - Bilbao, Spain Duration: 11 Sept 2023 → 14 Sept 2023 |
Conference
| Conference | ICES Annual Science Conference 2023 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Spain |
| City | Bilbao |
| Period | 11/09/2023 → 14/09/2023 |
