Continue reading  to learn more about Furqan’s thesis “Leaving the coast: the interplay of migration, well-being and resilience in Cambodian coastal fishing communities” and the insights he gained while completing his PhD. The interview is also available in audio format, click play on the recording below to listen to Furqan’s Interview.

Furqan Asif is a PhD candidate in International Development at the University of Ottawa

What is the topic you are addressing in your thesis?

The landscape, both socially and ecologically, of coastal fishing communities in many parts of the world is rapidly changing, particularly in Southeast Asia. On the social side, migration by individuals from coastal communities to cities in pursuit of economic opportunities is affecting community dynamics. Ecologically, environmental degradation, overexploitation of fish stocks and climate change are negatively affecting species’ abundance and diversity, thereby straining livelihoods and exacerbating poverty. These trends are particularly pronounced in the small-scale fishing communities of Cambodia, a country which boasts, by some estimates, the highest fish consumption in the region. Coastal Cambodia is an ideal case to analyze and understand the dynamics that influence social-ecological change given the rapid shifts occurring as a result of emerging economic opportunities (i.e. increasing connectivity, and resultant migration to secondary cities) and rapid economic growth, in the context of declining natural resources and environmental change. Specifically, my research seeks to understand a) the role migration plays as a livelihood strategy in Cambodian fishing communities; b) how migration affects social well-being of fishers and their households (within and beyond coastal villages); and c) if a social wellbeing analysis of migration can contribute to an improved understanding of the “social” in social-ecological resilience.

Shrimp are laid out to dry in a coastal fishing village (Koh Kong, Cambodia).

What led you to become interested in this field?

My interest in this field can be traced back to a decade ago when I became introduced to interdisciplinary work, starting with my undergraduate minor in Environmental Science (my Master degree was also in the same field). Environmental Science involves a variety of disciplines (e.g. environmental chemistry, earth science, environmental risk, etc.) so it allowed me to get a very comprehensive understanding of environmental challenges while understanding large-scale environmental processes. As a result of this specialization, I eventually found my niche in applying what I had learned in the context of international development while working in the Canadian government, and then later, internationally in the Philippines, and most recently with the United Nations.

While I developed understanding on the environmental side, I wanted to get the same within international development so I chose to pursue my PhD in this field. Like Environmental Science, the field of international development also involves a variety of disciplines (e.g. international relations, economics, political science, anthropology, etc.) so it was a natural fit.

As I was developing my doctoral research proposal, I became really interested in the area of social-ecological systems which emphasized the importance of looking at social and ecological systems as interconnected and that in order to get a holistic understanding, you have to look at both. The concept also bridged the natural sciences with social sciences and, on a pedagogical and epistemological level, it was something that I was seeking to do (as well as on a personal level), so I found myself strongly attracted to it. Later on, I was introduced to the concept of resilience which is linked to the literature on social-ecological systems (captured by the term social-ecological resilience), and this became the conceptual launchpad for my doctoral thesis.

A fisherman prepares one of 600 crab traps with bait before going out to sea to set them at a coastal fishing village in Koh Kong, Cambodia. Fishermen have had to increase fishing effort i.e. number of traps over the years as marine resources have declined.

What excites you about the work you did for your thesis?

What’s exciting about the work is that there have been significant changes in coastal Cambodia, even in the last five to ten years, particularly with the opening of the Special Economic Zone near the Thai border, which has drawn thousands of Cambodians – many from the coastal villages. So this represents a major shift in the socioeconomic landscape in this part of Cambodia, which itself is set amongst the backdrop of ecological change i.e. declines in fish catch and overall negative impacts on marine resources as a result of environmental change. Understanding the effect that these changes will have, and are having, on small-scale coastal fishing communities therefore becomes important.

A family in a coastal fishing village sort through and process their catch (Koh Kong, Cambodia).

Did you run into any difficulties during your studies? If so, how did you address them?

Of course! One of the first challenges I had was when my research assistant abruptly quit about two months after the start of my fieldwork. That was completely unexpected and, needless to say, put a halt to interviews, field visits, etc. While it was stressful, I managed to address it by focusing on using my network and social media to put out a call for another research assistant. After a month of soliciting (and waiting), I managed to find someone else who turned out to be very reliable and excellent.

Another difficulty was finding a boat driver to take us to the fishing communities which were on mangrove-enclosed islands (about a 40 minute journey over the ocean). We had no prior contacts or connections so my research assistant and I went to the small port where we knew boats arrived from the islands and inquired to get advice. From this, we were able to get a few phone numbers and get a boat hire. Later on when we were in a similar situation where our previous boat hire was unavailable, my assistant had the idea of going to the nearby fishing village in town and knocking on houses to find someone, which proved successful.

How does your research affect the community you worked with?

This is a question that is pondered by most graduate students and is a difficult one to answer. On the one hand, it is difficult to have a concrete answer while doing fieldwork because you are still discovering and have yet to establish findings and insights. On the other, the nature of the research and how connected it is to the everyday realities of the community you’re working with will determine how they will be affected by it.

In my case, what I can say is that I hope that my research gets in the right hands and draws the spotlight on these communities which have often been overlooked but nevertheless face many challenges to their livelihoods. To this end, I will have an active dissemination strategy so that more resources and attention can be paid to the coastal communities.

Children in a coastal fishing village playing a board game (Koh Kong, Cambodia).

How does your research contribute to your field?

It will contribute on two fronts, on the theoretical and practical. Until recently, work on resilience has traditionally been biased towards the ecological with social aspects left relatively under-addressed. Using a mix of qualitative methods, my research draws on the social well-being approach to operationalize resilience and contribute to the understanding of social resilience for small-scale coastal fishing communities in Cambodia.

On the practical front, my research is aiming to get a better understanding of the role migration plays as a livelihood strategy in Cambodian fishing communities and how it affects their social wellbeing.

What do you think are the next steps for learning more about the topics you are addressing in your thesis?

For those that want to learn more about coastal fishing communities in Cambodia, I would highly recommend my supervisor’s book Life, Fish and mangroves which you can read for free via a link from her website: http://melissamarschke.weebly.com/book.html

For more information on  Furqan Asif’s work visit his website: www.furqanasif.com

A fisherman lays out his traps in a coastal fishing village (Koh Kong, Cambodia).

Cheryl Chan is a member of the Environmental Change and Governance Group (ECGG); School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability; University of Waterloo

“I initially became interested in coastal-marine systems and small-scale fisheries through recreational scuba diving” replied CCRN member and recent graduate Cheryl Chan. “I started diving about five years ago. During my initial experiences in the water, I witnessed the challenges that both coral reefs and small-scale fishing communities are facing. I became interested in the relationships between humans and natural systems, and began exploring graduate opportunities to pursue research in this field.” Cheryl completed her master’s degree at the University of Waterloo in the School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability.  Her thesis, supervised by CCRN member Derek Armitage, examined how a marine protected area influenced the ecosystem services and social wellbeing of a small scale fishing community in Jamaica. Cheryl found that the CCRN network gave her the opportunity to meet mentors and other early career researchers.

Continue reading to learn more about Cheryl’s thesis “Ecosystem Services and Social Wellbeing Linkages: The Impact of a Marine Protected Area in Bluefields, Jamaica” and the insights she gained while completing her master’s degree.

What excites you about the work you did for your thesis?

First, I was excited by the opportunity that I was given to work with communities and to experience a new culture. Ultimately, I found this research to be one of the most trying and rewarding experiences that I’ve ever had. Through my master’s, I was able to see the barriers that prevent the translation of research into practice. I hope to pursue this “gap” further in the next stages of my career. In particular, during my degree, I uncovered my passion for science communication—to become aware of something that I really, truly care for is both exciting and something that I am thankful for.

Did you run into any difficulties during your studies? If so, how did you address them?

I think that being a graduate student is hard for a number of reasons—particularly for me, since I did not complete a thesis or major research project during my undergraduate degree.  It was hard to figure out where to start my research, how to go about it, and how to deal with the isolation that I felt while I was in the field.  Then, there was difficulty in figuring out how my research fit into the larger context of the world, and how—to paraphrase Ghandi—it could shake the world in a gentle way. I found that what got me through the day and through this degree was the strong support that I felt from my research network (including the Environmental Change and Governance Group; School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo; and CCRN) and friends and family back home. However, I’m still trying to figure out how to “shake the world”.

Pelicans perched atop the remains of an abandoned wharf. Since the implementation of the Marine protected area, many locals and fishers have reported witnessing the return of shorebirds.

How does your research affect the community you worked with?

I hope that my research gave the people of Bluefields a safe space to voice their concerns. I hope the community feels that their voices are important and valuable, and that their ideas and concerns can be a catalyst for change. The next step of my work is to provide a brief summary of this research for Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The purpose of this summary is to inform the governance of marine protected areas in Jamaica. Lastly, through sharing the stories of Bluefields with a broader audience, I hope that people will become more aware of the challenges being faced by small-scale fishing communities and Small Island Developing States around the world, and take some form of action on behalf of and/or with these communities.

What do you think are the next steps for learning more about the topics you addressed in your thesis?

I hope to publish a paper or two from my thesis. Is my supervisor reading this? J I think that publishing will be a good opportunity to learn more about the academic literature that defines this field, and the current research that is happening. From a broader and more practical perspective, I want to become involved in projects with civil societies, government, and/or NGOs that relate to the topics that I addressed in my thesis.

How does your research contribute to your field?

I think my research offers new insights into the governance of coastal-marine systems, particularly in the context of marine protected areas and small-scale fisheries. While there is a huge body of literature that already exists in these contexts, my research provides further support for the consideration of social and cultural dimensions in conservation initiatives.

The marine protected area examined in the thesis, with fishing vessels in the foreground and patrol boat docked in the background.

Philile Mbatha is a PhD Candidate and Assistant Lecturer in Environmental and Geographical Science Department, at the University of Cape Town, South Africa

CCRN student Philile Mbatha is a PhD Candidate and Assistant Lecturer in Environmental and Geographical Science Department, at the University Of Cape Town, South Africa. For her PhD thesis, supervised by CCRN member Merle Sowman, she is examining the role of multiple governance systems on coastal livelihood strategies. “I became interested in this field because I am passionate about research that bridges the gap between rural and marginalized communities and decision-making platforms for natural resource governance” says Philile. The CCRN has helped Philile connect to a wide network of researchers working on similar issues around the world.

Continue reading to learn more about Philile’s thesis “The influence of plural governance systems on coastal livelihood strategies: The case of Kosi Bay,” and the insights Philile gained while completing her PhD.

What is the topic you are addressing in your thesis?

This research has sought to elucidate understanding about rural coastal livelihood strategies by highlighting the manner through which rural livelihoods are shaped, influenced and reproduced by governance systems that aim to govern natural resources. For this undertaking, the study has drawn upon both on livelihoods and governance bodies of work in order to contribute towards building stronger linkages between livelihoods analyses and governance debates. One of the main reasons why this study is important is that it seeks to contribute to the gap in the body of knowledge about the relationship between the livelihoods strategies of rural and marginalized communities and plural natural resource governance systems controlling access and use of coastal resources. In the conceptual bodies of work within livelihoods and governance literature concerning natural resources, much of the emphasis is either on livelihoods or governance, respectively. There is limited literature, particularly in the southern African context, which examines the relationships or interactions between plural governance systems and rural livelihoods.

A local woman after from harvesting reeds from the lake

Kosi Bay is located within and adjacent to the iSimangaliso World Heritage Site, and is also located within the wider Maputaland region. It comprises a very ecologically unique lake system, which, because of its rich biodiversity, is part of an environment that is protected as a natural site under UNESCO World Heritage status. The iSimangaliso site was declared South Africa’s first World Heritage Site because its natural attributes are considered of global significance, as they have economic potential, and thus need to be conserved for both local people, as well as the international community. However, formal conservation within the boundaries of the iSimangaliso has existed for over 100 years, and the St. Lucia Nature Reserve is one of the oldest protected areas in Africa, established in 1895 (iSimangaliso Authority, 2011). The reasons for progressive creation of protected areas within the boundaries of iSimangaliso World Heritage Site is said to be motivated by the need for protecting increasing populations of large mammals such as hippopotamus, sea turtles, as well as black rhinoceros within the system (iSimangaliso Authority, 2016).

The iSimangaliso site was thus declared ‘world heritage’ as it met three of the ten criteria of UNESCO. The selection criteria provided by UNESCO (2015) are the main working tool for the selection of cultural and natural heritage globally are:

1. To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius
2. To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on         developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design
3. To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or World which has disappeared

The Kosi Bay system within the iSimangaliso site consists of five unique ecological systems, i.e. dune forests, sandy beaches, rich tidal and coral reef zones, as well as grasslands (Guyot, 2005). The people who reside in the area weave their livelihoods around these resources, and engage in activities such as fisheries (in the lakes as well as on intertidal zones along the coast), forestry (i.e. harvesting indigenous forest products), eco- tourism and agriculture. In terms of coastal resource governance, the rural coastal community of Kosi Bay resides in the midst of a myriad of coastal activity (i.e. fishing, forestry and tourism) and governance arrangements for the Kosi Bay system. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Ramsar site, the Maputaland Marine Protected Area, the Tembe Coastal Forest Reserve, as well as the Ponta Do Ouro – Kosi Bay Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA). Moreover, statutory institutions for conservation governance operate parallel to traditional authority structures under Tembe Tribal Authority, as well as customary institutions that are long-standing within the area. There is also an existing land claim on World Heritage Site land by the members of the community that were historically forcibly removed for conservation during the apartheid era.

What excites you about the work you did for your thesis?

The work I did for my thesis excites me because the findings of my study will contribute towards the improvement of coastal governance in South Africa. Moreover, rural communities are empowered by the research in a manner that will assist them to challenge unjust decision-making processes.

Did you run into any difficulties during your studies? If so, how did you address them?

Trap fishing in Kosi estuary

Yes I did. Kosi Bay is a highly contested area by the community and governance structures in relation to land and coastal resources. There is also an ongoing conflict between governance actors and members of the community around this, so much that the community was initially reluctant to speak to outsiders regarding these sensitive topics. However, the advantages I had were that I am from the Kwazulu-Natal province and therefore was able identify with the culture of the local people and also speak the local language. This assisted me to quickly establish a positive relationship as a researcher with community members when the study was introduced, and it enabled me to gain the trust of the local people. Earning the trust of people in Kosi Bay was not initially easy, as the people in the three communities have, over the years, become very skeptical of researchers coming into the area to elicit information without ever returning to provide positive feedback about the research to the local people. Moreover, people in the villages have also become distrustful towards researchers over the years as they expressed that they feel that ‘research’ has betrayed them in the past and is the reason why they lost their security and livelihoods. In order to overcome these, I had to conduct various meetings with community members before commencing with my research. This ensured that the people were satisfied with the understanding of the research in order to allow it to proceed.

How will your research affect the community you worked with?

When the research is done, the results will be fed back to the community so that they can use it to empower themselves and challenge current governance systems. A policy brief from the research findings will also be published in order to raise awareness and engage decision-makers on issues affecting livelihoods of rural communities affected by protected areas.

What do you think are the next steps for learning more about the topics you addressed in your thesis?

The next step will be to engage organizations like UNESCO and other actors in the international community about how global policy regimes for environmental protection are translated in developing countries, and how they alter or shift the livelihood strategies of marginalized communities. More research needs to be done to assess the influence of international policy regimes for protecting natural resources on local livelihood strategies.

How does your research contribute to your field?

My research will contribute to the theoretical gaps within the livelihoods body of work by exploring the interface between livelihoods and governance debates, in relation to natural resource governance.

References

Guyot, S. 2005. Political dimensions of environmental conflicts in Kosi Bay (South Africa). Signification of the new post-apartheid governance system. Development Southern Africa, Vol. 32(3).

ISimangaliso Authority. 2011. ISimangaliso Wetland Park Wetland Park IntegratedManagement Plan (2011-2016). St. Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Online [Available].
isimangaliso.com/product/isimangaliso-imp-2011-2016/

ISimangaliso Authority. 2016. ISimangaliso Wetland Park Wetland Park Integrated Management Plan (2017-2021). St. Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Online [Available].
isimangaliso.com/product/isimangaliso-imp-2017-2021/

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 2015. Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. World Heritage Centre, France: Paris.

Wayne is currently a PhD student at the University of Cape Town, South Africa

“I grew up in Durban, on the east coast of South Africa, where the coast represents a key component of our lifestyles,” says CCRN graduate student Wayne Stanley Rice. “Growing up as a surfer, diver, and lifeguard, the coast and sea have always held a special place for me, and while I have never been an avid fisher I have always respected marine life. After teaching environmental sciences at high school level for a few years, I decided to return to university to study toward a masters and PhD degree so that I could research, teach and contribute more to managing the on-the-ground social-ecological wicked problems we are facing.” Wayne completed his master’s degree under the supervision of Dr. Serge Raemaekers, and CCRN member Merle Sowman at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. His thesis examined the relative contributions of multiple fishing sectors on the status of four bycatch species.  When compared to the Olifants estuary gillnet fishery, the catch and bycatch of these species were shown to be orders of magnitude greater in other fishing sectors. An indication that, closing the Olifants estuary gillnet fishery, would not necessarily address concerns about the population of these bycatch species.

Continue reading to learn more about Wayne’s thesis “Contextualising the bycatch ‘problem’ in the Olifants Estuary Small-Scale Gillnet Fishery using an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries,” and the insights Wayne gained while completing his master’s degree. The interview is also available in audio format, click play on the recording below to listen to Wayne’s Interview.

Click play to listen to Wayne’s Student Research in Community Conservation

The younger generation still rely heavily of the fishery for their livelihoods. Photograph: Wayne Stanley Rice

What was the topic you addressed in your thesis?

Conventional fisheries management approaches often prove ineffective in tackling issues like bycatch, requiring a more holistic approach, particularly in small-scale fisheries. Concerns about line-fish bycatch in the Olifants estuary gillnet fishery (OEGF), on the South African west coast, have prompted numerous closure attempts by government. Yet several other fisheries either target or include bycatch of these same line-fish species. An ecosystem approach to fisheries was utilised to examine the relative contributions of multiple fishing sectors on the status of four OEGF bycatch species: elf (Pomatomus saltatrix), silver kob (Argyrosomus inodorus), white teenbras (Lithognathus lithognathus) and white stumpnose (Rhabdosargus globiceps). Evidence from available data suggests that the catch and bycatch of these species associated with other fishing sectors, namely the commercial line, inshore trawl-fishery, and recreational line-fishery, were orders of magnitude greater than the national beach-seine and gillnet fishery landings (inclusive of OEGF) for 2012 and most specifically total OEGF bycatch estimated at 0.35 – 0.61 t per year. Consequently, closing the OEGF, a primary source of food and livelihood to these marginalised fishers, would not necessarily address concerns about the stock status of these species. While estuarine function and life-history considerations are essential, employing an ecosystem approach to fisheries to understand and address overall species exploitation levels across all fishing sectors will better resolve multiple-user conflicts and improve management practice.

Accompanying a local fisher to gain traditional ecological knowledge and observe catch/ bycatch in the fishery.Photograph: Nolene Rice

What excites you about the work you did for your thesis?

I think that the thing that excites us all is the potential to make a difference. My fieldwork was located in a rural poor area of South Africa where small-scale fishers rely heavily upon their natural resources as a source of livelihood. With South Africa’s past social injustices, providing redress and equal opportunities to access and use of natural resources is pivotal. My hope is that my research may contribute to promoting a more holistic approach to managing cross-sectoral harvesting of natural resources in a more equitable and socially just manner which accounts for traditional peoples.

Did you run into any difficulties during your studies? If so, how did you address them?

While I was able to obtain many sources of secondary data from individuals who supported my research, obtaining specific commercial and recreational-line fishing landings data proved problematic. The lack of recreational landings data was partly overcome at a local-scale by conducting a roving creel survey, and at a national level by conducting an online recreational survey. Another challenge I faced was, as an English speaker, conducting my research within an Afrikaans community. Although I speak Afrikaans it did take some adjustment and practice. However, I became more fluent with time and could conduct interviews and interact with the local fishers, who very graciously tolerated my abilities, so communication was never a problem. In fact, the local fishers were so supportive of the research that most fieldwork was conducting without much difficulty.

Conducting semi-structured interviews with local fishers. Photograph: Nolene Rice

Local fishers make use of row boats, often rowing up to 20km round trips. Photograph: Wayne Stanley Rice

How does your research affect the community you worked with?

I believe it will go at least a small way toward highlighting the resource use patterns and magnitudes, and provide much needed data on how to better manage fish species which are exploited by multiple fishing sectors and regions. Therefore, I hope that it will shift the focus away from a ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ mentality that still largely persists in our country. If my research has contributed toward that end and promoting the recent Small-Scale Fisheries Policy which demands it, then I will be satisfied.

What do you think are the next steps for learning more about the topics you addressed in your thesis?

At a national and local-scale, I believe greater research is required to assess the magnitudes of spatial and temporal harvesting patterns for specific species, so that improved local and species-specific management strategies may emerge which address both ecological and social concerns.

‘Bokkoms’, salted and dried fish preserved for leaner months. Photograph: Nolene Rice

How does your research contribute to your field?

I would like to think that research like this could contribute toward promoting more holistic approaches to managing natural resources, and in this case small-scale fisheries, in a manner which is both ecologically and socially just. I strongly believe that if we cannot deal with the social dimensions within natural resource use, that we will not be able to avoid ecological degradation or reduce poverty, which are highly connected dilemmas. Therefore, I hope that this research will promote a more people-inclusive and species-specific focus to tackling both local and global natural resource challenges.

Aibek is currently a PhD student at the University of Tübingen in Germany, where he is a member of the team investigating the “‘Social Life’ of a river: environmental histories, social worlds and conflict resolution along the Naryn-Syr Darya”

Aibek Samakov is a CCRN fellow who completed his master’s degree under the supervision of CCRN member Dr. Fikret Berkes. His thesis took a closer look at the two different management practices observed in the Ysyk-Köl area of Kyrgyzstan – sacred sites and the Biosphere Reserve. Aibek’s interest in sacred sites, as a method for conservation, can be contributed to his work with the Aigine Cultural Research Center (Aigine CRC) based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. “Aigine CRC documented the sacred sites and traditional knowledge throughout the Kyrgyz Republic. My work at Aigine CRC sparked my interest in sacred sites and traditional knowledge and their implications for biocultural diversity conservation,” says Aibek. While completing his thesis the CCRN became a unique platform for networking and learning.

Continue reading to learn more about Aibek’s thesis “Sacred Sites: Opportunity for Improving Biocultural Conservation and Governance in Ysyk-Köl Biosphere Reserve, Kyrgyz Republic,” and the insights Aibek gained while completing his master’s degree.

What was the topic you addressed in your thesis?

In my research, I looked at sacred sites in Ysyk-Köl area of Kyrgyzstan as community conserved areas. Sacred sites represent areas of land and bodies of water which are spiritually and culturally meaningful for local people. The study mapped about 130 sacred sites, which are conserved-through-use by local communities and represent traditional model of conservation. The entire territory of Ysyk-Köl region is formally protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Thus, sacred sites, as traditional model of community conserved area, are embedded in the formal government-run Biosphere Reserve. I looked at how these two models of conservation (sacred sites and the Biosphere Reserve) co-exist in the same territory and interact with each other. Results indicate that these two models are parallel. However, recognition of sacred sites can improve formal conservation by: a) providing a complementary culture-based set of incentives for conservation, b) fostering a biocultural approach, and c) serving as a communication hub for Ysyk-Köl Biosphere Reserve managers and local communities.

What excites you about the work you did for your thesis?

I was most excited by working with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and bridging it with the scholarly domain. This experience convinced me that reinforcing links between TEK and science can bear benefits both for scholarship and on-ground biocultural conservation.

How does your research affect the communities you worked with?

I cannot claim that my research affected the communities in an exceptional way. The sacred sites have been one of the defining elements of kyrgyzchylyk (the Kyrgyz-ness). In local narratives, the sacred sites are usually described from a cultural and spiritual perspective, whereas conservation-related aspect of sacred sites is more of a spin-off effect of sacred sites’ spiritual significance for local people. In my opinion, my research draws local communities’ attention to the ‘instrumental’ value of sacred sites for conservation in addition to their intrinsic value as biocultural phenomena.

What do you think are the next steps for learning more about the topics you addressed in your thesis?

The next steps would be investigating/developing ways for meaningful and equitable inclusion of sacred sites into formal conservation strategies.

Browse Aibek’s Publications to learn more about his work in Community Conservation

Samakov A, and Berkes F. 2017. Spiritual commons: sacred sites as core of community-conserved areas in Kyrgyzstan. International Journal of the Commons. 11(1).

Samakov A, and Berkes F. 2016. Ysyk-Köl Biosphere Reserve, Kyrgyzstan: Sacred Sites Help Improve Conservation in Protected Areas. CCRN Community Story.

Samakov A. 2015. Sacred Sites: Opportunity for Improving Biocultural Conservation and Governance in Ysyk-Köl Biosphere Reserve, Kyrgyz Republic. Master’s Thesis, University of Manitoba, Canada.

3MT Video by Aibek Samakov – “Sacred Sites: Conservation of Nature through Mechanisms Rooted in Culture.”

Cintia is currently a PhD candidate in Applied Science at Saint Mary’s University, Canada, under the supervision of CCRN director Tony Charles.

“The social injustices towards northeastern migrants living in slums always bothered me”, says CCRN graduate student Cintia Gillam.  As a child, Cintia could not fully understand why crab gatherers would live in shacks located in the mangrove areas. Through her master’s degree, supervised by CCRN director Tony Charles, Cintia realized that the power imbalances between the Brazilian elites and oppressed groups, were the reasons behind the social injustices she observed as a child. Her thesis tackled the role of power and inequality in a well being context, with emphasis on an environmental and natural resource perspective. Through the CCRN network, Cintia gained valuable knowledge and insights useful to understanding her community.

Continue reading to learn more about Cintia’s thesis “Effects of Social and Environmental Inequalities on the Wellbeing of a Slum Community: The case of Vila dos Pescadores in Southeast Brazil,” and the insights Cintia gained while completing her master’s degree. The interview is also available in audio format, click play on the recording below to listen to Cintia’s Interview.

Click play to listen to Cintia’s Student Research in Community Conservation

What excites you about the work you did for your thesis?

Community leader Vadinho, fishers and Cintia at the dock

On a personal level, working with these amazing people who are living in impoverished areas gives me a sense of justice. I was born and raised in São Paulo city, part of a middle-class family of European descent. Many migrants from Northeastern Brazil who live in mangrove slums are Afro-Brazilians; they were and still do suffer racial and economic discrimination, doing the jobs the elites don’t want to do, and this always bothered me, this tremendous injustice. Indeed, slum dwellers are marginalized groups and in the case of the Vila dos Pescadores, many of them are unemployed and make a living as fishers and crab gatherers.

While being a master’s student in International Development Studies at Saint Mary’s University, I learned international development theory, developed my critical thinking skills, and learned to articulate my own thoughts and ideas about important global issues. This learning was complimented and enhanced by this field experience outside the classroom. It was rewarding for me to see other Brazilian governmental and non-governmental organizations working with Vila dos Pescadores after I graduated.

Did you run into any difficulties during your studies? If so, how did you address them?

Upon arriving in Cubatão, my study site, I intended to interview people from Cubatão’s industrial hub. I contacted several industry representatives, but only Petrobras (Brazilian company specialized in energy industry, oil and natural gas) and Unipar Carboclo (Brazilian chemical company) allowed me to meet industry representatives.

Scarlet Ibis – Eudocimus ruber

At the beginning of my research I also found it difficult to meet with local fishers. When I arrived in Cubatão, the president of the Community Association of Vila dos Pescadores, Jose Arnaldo dos Santos (Vadinho) introduced me to fishers in their dock area. However, at times it was difficult to meet fishers either because they were fishing, or they were in their house. I felt that there was a general lack of trust in researchers, which made it difficult to interview fishers and community members at the beginning of my research. In addition, when I first traveled to meet with this community, I didn’t have a lot of background in social sciences. However, I quickly learned how to observe peoples’ behavior and adapt accordingly in terms of how to interview them and build relationships.

How does your research affect the community you worked with?

While in the community, I connected the community leader Vadinho with a researcher from the Fisheries Institute. They still work together to help change policies focusing on small-scale fisheries.

Vila dos Pescadores’ dock during low tide

What do you think are the next steps for learning more about the topics you addressed in your thesis?

Because the Brazilian elites and the media often consider slums as places of violence and criminality, I found my research helped to show that slums are a place like any other, and local institutions are welcomed to work with the community leader to improve conservation and livelihoods in the community of Vila dos Pescadores and beyond. More importantly, fishers and community members are proud to be part of the mangrove reforestation projects. They helped reintroduce mangrove reforestation projects which involve children, fishers and other members of the community. When implementing conservation projects it is necessary to include a multitude of actors, including the private sector, which can support fishers and community members. The analysis of community and fishers’ wellbeing is important at a policy level to allow interventions such as selective urbanization and the involvement of fishers in conservation initiatives.

Fishers selling blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus

How does your research contribute to your field?

My research is unique because it tackled environmental racism, wellbeing and relational wellbeing in a slum mangrove community. In addition, this research can potentially help improve partnerships between the public and private sectors with community leaders in slums.

Community leader Vadinho and fishers painting boats – funds donated by the Robin Rigby Trust

Browse Cintia Gillam’s publications to learn more about her work in coastal communities

Gillam, C. (2016). Effects of social and environmental inequalities on the wellbeing of a slum community: The case of Vila dos Pescadores in Southeast Brazil. Master’s Thesis International Development Studies Program, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Gillam, C. and Charles, A. (2016). A wellbeing analysis of fishers in a Brazilian coastal shantytown. 4th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC), St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, July 3– August 3, 2016.

Gillam, C. (2016). Class differences and racism – social, ethnic and economic inequalities leading to poverty: A case study of mixed-race Northeastern migrant populations living in the city of Cubatão, São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil. The Lusophone World in Progression: Historical Legacy, Transnationalism & Development in Globalized Contexts, Halifax, June 28 – July 1, 2015.

Gillam, C. (2016). Vila Dos Pescadores, Cubatão, State of São Paulo, Brazil: Improving livelihoods and promoting dialogue in Vila dos Pescadores, Cubatão, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Community Conservation Research Network, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Gillam, C. (2015). Impact of Environmental Degradation on Fishers’ Livelihoods – The Case Study of a Brazilian Mangrove Community, Vila dos Pescadores. The Robin Rigby Trust.

PhD Candidate Ana Carolina Esteves Dias completed her CCRN sponsored master’s degree under Cristiana Seixas at the State University of Campinas, Brazil

“I have always been curious about how humans interact with nature, especially in the coastal zone” says CCRN graduate student, Ana Carolina Esteves Dias. “Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by the oceans and all the colors and forms that compose coastal land and waterscapes.” Ana Carolina aims to understand how we as humans can “reconcile our livelihoods with natural dynamics and other living beings that can benefit us as a source of food, shelter, joy or spiritual values”. Through her master’s thesis, supervised by CCRN member Cristiana Seixas, Ana Carolina addressed two key issues associated with conservation in coastal environments, specifically the implementation of conservation practices without first contacting local communities, and the development of a participatory monitoring program to reveal ecological dynamics of fishing resources and the impact these conservation zones can have on the livelihoods of the local communities who depend upon them. The CCRN network has helped Ana Carolina  learn about other studies and experiences in the same research field. This knowledge assisted in understanding her own case study and delve deeper into the discussion on the importance of local communities in conservation. She is now a PhD candidate in Social and Ecological Sustainability at the University of Waterloo, Canada, under the supervision of CCRN member Derek Armitage.

Continue reading to learn more about Ana Carolina’s thesis “Fisheries participatory monitoring at Tarituba community, Paraty (Brazil): reconciling conservation and small-scale fisheries,” and the insights Ana Carolina gained while completing her master’s degree.  The interview is also available in audio format, click play on the recording below to listen to Ana Carolina’s Interview.

Click play to listen to  Ana Carolina’s Student Research in Community Conservation

What excites you about the work you did for your thesis?

Workshop with fishers, managers and other institutions related to fisheries management, Working together to design the monitoring programs and set collective goals.

I got pretty excited about my masters research, since it would contribute to a real world problem. During my thesis, I contributed to the development of a participatory monitoring program of small-scale fisheries of a coastal community, whose livelihoods strongly depend on fishing. I was happy to reconcile conservation of fishing resources with local dependence on those resources. It was pleasant to identify together with fishers and managers a way to understand both social and ecological importance of the coastal environment and discuss the importance of that with those actors. Also, my thesis was a pilot project for a new method to monitor social and ecological aspects of coastal environments, the Global Socioeconomic Monitoring Initiative for Coastal Management (SocMon). This method was implemented in more than 30 coastal countries and is in test in Brazil.

Did you run into any difficulties during your studies? If so, how did you address them?

Yes, one of the main difficulties was having access to public data compiled by the government. A partnership between the agency responsible for fisheries management at the state level (Rio de Janeiro state) and the Secretary of Fisheries of Paraty, maintained a point of collecting data on fishing in Tarituba, the community where I did my masters. Although this data is supposed to be public, when I requested the data (multiple times), these institutions did not make it available. Officials of the Paraty Fisheries Secretariat mentioned that the data is collected, but it is processed slowly. I ended up without this data, even though I requested it several times during my research (Between 2013 and 2015).

Canoe used in small-scale fishing with waiting net inside

In addition, Eletronuclear, the nuclear power plant located in the surroundings of Tarituba Community, conducts a monitoring program, collecting biological samples in the marine areas close to the community. When I requested this data the manager of Tamoios Protected Area provided me with a CD-room with raw data collected by the company. However, this data was not up to date. In 2016, at the XXXV meeting Of the Advisory Council of Tamois Protected Area, Eletronuclear stated that they are changing their monitoring program. Nevertheless, when questioned about how data would be communicated to the public, the company representative stated that he did not have a plan to make the outcomes of the monitoring program available.

I had to work without this data, having access only to academic references.

How does your research affect the community you worked with?

This research contributed to discussions about real concerns and interests related to the conservation and livelihoods of extractive communities that depend directly on natural resources to maintain their livelihoods. This research also recognized the effort of fishermen towards the conservation of fishing areas. Apart from that, we developed together (with fishers and managers) a monitoring program able to capture the importance of local fisheries to the community and the influence of fishing to the coastal environment. This work will contribute to a better management of the marine areas surrounding the community.

Fishing gear for catching crab

What do you think are the next steps for learning more about the topics you addressed in your thesis?

Based on my conclusions, one relevant question that arises is: what are the formal and informal institutional mechanisms that favor knowledge co-production related to the various spheres of a socio-ecological system, focusing on the collective redefinition of the conservation strategies in progress towards sustainable management practices?

Fishing nets

How does your research contribute to your field?

Insights on participation: Although there are tools and methods to develop and implement monitoring programs by various stakeholders, there is a lack of policy tools and political will to put them into practice. The lack of institutional will of the Brazilian government to conduct participatory management processes, which considers the users of natural resources themselves as protagonists in monitoring, makes it difficult to engage users. Advancing the sustainability of protected areas requires building trust, which is often deconstructed. In the case of Tarituba, the monitoring program was drawn up jointly by the efforts of local fishermen, managers of Tamoios Protected Area and other Institutions, however, the participants feel discouraged to continue participating in management processes led by the government due to lack of response from the federal government.

Canoe when not in use

In addition, the implementation of a participatory monitoring approach is not sufficient for the effective incorporation of fishers’ knowledge into management. There is a need to recognize the advantages of using fishers’ knowledge in a broad range of small-scale fisheries management issues, beyond the design of data collection programs. In addition, indicators and knowledge about all spheres of the fisheries social-ecological systems are essential for the advance of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries. We identified the need for an emphasis on the monitoring step of management, under interdisciplinary and participatory approaches that favor the sharing of knowledge and power. Special attention should be given when discussing challenging management issues, where a co-production of knowledge can provide better understanding of local dynamics. Nevertheless, despite the many challenges faced in the monitoring of small-scale fisheries, marked by advances and setbacks, Brazil and the Southern Cone are encouraging the participation of users, with significant support from universities, other research institutions, and NGOs.

Evaluating the SocMon method to the Brazilian context: In developing this monitoring program, I have been able to confirm that the SocMon method allows you to tailor the monitoring to the local context. The application of the method should also emphasize the importance of process continuity and help participants think about how monitoring will be conducted overtime. The partnership with the Brazilian government in the Brazilian initiative is an advance in the application of SocMon. Even so, it is necessary to be careful, avoiding interfering in the participation of fishermen and coastal communities in designing monitoring and using the information provided.

Different types of canoes at the beach

Browse Ana Carolina’s publications to learn more about her work in coastal communities

2016 Araujo, L. G., Dias, A. C. E., Prado, D. S. and Seixas, C. S. (Eds). Caiçaras and rural communities: an essay about nature, culture and development. Seven years of research and outreach. Campinas: University of Campinas.

2015 Dias, A. C. E. Mobilizing knowledge about conservation nature and sustainable development units conservation in Paraty. In: Bahia, N., Bokstael, E. and Seixas, C. (eds). Community-based management of natural resources and food security in Paraty (Brazil). Booklet, University of Campinas and University of Manitoba.

2015 Dias, A. C. E. Fisheries participatory monitoring at Tarituba community, Paraty (Brazil): Reconciling conservation and small-scale fisheries. Masters Dissertation, State University of Campinas, Brazil. 188p.

2015 Seixas, C. S.; Islas, C. A.; Dias, A. C. E. Protected Areas in Paraty Bay, Brazil: Two Caiçara communities contribute to fisheries and terrestrial biodiversity conservation.

2014 Seixas, C. S., De Freitas, R.R., Dias, A.C.E., Araujo, L.G., Trimble, M. Contributions based on scientific research for the artisanal fishing authorization process in Tamoios Ecological Station). Manuscript sent to the Federal Public Ministry and to the Ministry of Environment (Brazil).

Accepted Bavinck, M., Berkes, F., Charles, A., Dias, A.C.E., Doubleday, N., Nayak, P. and Sowman, M. The impact of coastal grabbing on community conservation – a global reconnaissance (accepted by the Journal of Maritime Studies – MAST).