Community Conservation Research Network | https://www.communityconservation.net Exploring the connection between communities, livelihoods and conservation Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:04:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Communities Learn about Ocean Harvesting through Nuu-chah-nulth Values and Principles https://www.communityconservation.net/communities-learn-about-ocean-harvesting-through-nuu-chah-nulth-values-and-principles/ Tue, 23 Jan 2018 16:56:01 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=4606 Ocean foods have nourished and sustained Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations for millennia, yet today many challenges exist for those who want to access Nuu-chah-nulth foods and exercise their Aboriginal rights to those foods. 

The traditional foods that our ancestors enjoyed remain a significant aspect of social and cultural events, yet often it’s only our Elders who are experts in how to harvest, prepare, and preserve these foods. Having the knowledge and skills to access good, healthy foods for ourselves and our families is an inherent right that should be encouraged at the community level.

This was part of the motivation behind three harvesting workshops organized and coordinated by Uu-a-thluk this past summer in the three regions (i.e., Southern Region: China Creek and Broken Group Islands, Central Region: Toquaht Bay, and Northern Region: Nootka Sound and Yuquot). Thanks to a Special Projects grant from the Nuu-chah-nulth Employment and Training Program (NETP), Uu-a-thluk was able to launch this pilot project to better equip Nuu-chah-nulth for aquatic-related employment opportunities. 

“Our hope is that we will make these workshops a yearly event and collaborate with Nations who would like to train members on seafood harvesting, preparation, and preservation,” said Michelle Colyn, Uu-a-thluk Capacity Building Coordinator. “This project will allow us to continue to assert our rights for present and future generations to develop fisheries-related opportunities in concert with Nuu-chah-nulth values and rights.”

Community members in the harvesting workshops learned a range of skills and knowledge such as modern ways of harvesting salmon, crab, prawn, groundfish, and kelp; how knowledge of harvesting ocean resources ties into careers in the fisheries and eco-tourism industries; handling, cleaning, filleting salmon, how to prepare kuutchis salmon (Nuu-chah-nulth salmon barbeque over fire), and preservation methods such as canning.

 

Figure 1: Northern Region Biologist Roger Dunlop leading a seaweed identification activity (harvesting workshop), Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation Science Camp

Participants in the Northern Region workshop canned bull kelp and made bull kelp salsa, while in the Central Region community members learned about the importance of the potlatch for Nuu-chah-nulth governance and for important events. This past summer while the workshop was taking place Toquaht community members were harvesting for a special memorial honouring Bert Mack (Deets–kee-sup), who served as Tyee Ha’wilth (Hereditary Chief) of Toquaht First Nation until 2009. Those taking part in this workshop also learned about how Nuu-chah-nulth would move through the seasons harvesting food during the 13 moons of the Nuu-chah-nulth calendar. Anii-tsa-chist (Larry Johnson), Toquaht fisher and President of the Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Development Corporation spoke about the importance of being familiar with the “Seasonal Round” or Nuu-chah-nulth calendar.  

“To truly get back to traditional foods it’s important to know why and when different foods are harvested. We’ve been removed from the fishing industry and the coastal way of life,” he said, adding that the residential schools and the shutting out of Nuu-chah-nulth from the commercial fishing industry have significantly contributed to this disconnection. 

Defined by the principles of hišukiš c̓awaak meaning “everything is connected,” as Nuu-chah-nulth we understand our sacred duty to foster healthy relationships with the land, waters, plants, and animals that give us our food. With this comes the necessity to respond to our own requirements for safe, healthy cultural foods and the ability to make decisions over how much and what food we hunt, fish, gather, grow and eat to feed our communities. Field-based training opportunities like the harvesting workshops connect food sovereignty and food security with employment on the water, which is crucial to ensuring the long-term success of fisheries and fisheries related businesses. Engaging the next generation in this understanding often begins with something as simple as a first fishing lesson.

Anii-tsa-chist recalled the thrill of catching salmon on a rod for the first time and how he noticed this in the children who he taught to fish at the harvesting workshop in Toquaht Bay. “Adrenalin takes over and that excitement takes me right back to being a little boy and fishing stickleback in the rivers.” Although he added that this should be but one lesson of many. “Being a fisher isn’t something you learn from one course once a year. It’s a lifetime of things you pick up along the way.” 

All information in this post provided by CCRN Researcher Dawn Foxcroft

]]> Sea and Indigenous people https://www.communityconservation.net/sea-and-indigenous-people/ Tue, 12 Dec 2017 15:58:06 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=4263 Directorate of Coastal and Small Island Utilization, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia in cooperation with Faculty of Human Ecology from Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) and CCRN researchers (Dr. Arif Satria and Ahmad Mony) in Indonesia have launched a book titled “Laut dan Masyarakat Adat” or “Sea and Indigenous Peoples”. This book is the result of research on five indigenous communities inhabiting five small islands, Kawio Island, Kawaluso Island, Talaud Island, Liki Island, and Selaru Island. These five islands have direct border with neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Philippines, Palau, and Australia. The launching of this book brings Dr. Arif Satria as the main speaker and Prof. Dr. Dietrich G. Bengen from Fisheries and Marine Science Faculty – IPB as the discussant.

The book explores several topics, such as: defining Indigenous / local communities, economic and institutional profiles, problems and challenges facing Indigenous peoples, agrarian (land-based) bias, empowerment gaps, and roadmaps towards indigenous / local community empowerment. It is hoped that the publication of this book can provide an overview of the condition and existence of Indigenous and tribal peoples in Indonesia, especially in small islands, in order to maintain its sustainability. Currently the book is in Indonesian, however, those interested in the book can visit: https://kompas.id/gerai/belanja/buku/laut-dan-masyarakat-adat/

Book Review Event of “Sea and Indigenous People”

The launching of this book was attended by a number of stakeholders such as the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Village, Ministry of Bappenas, and a number of international and local NGOs. Dr. Arif Satria explained that the writing of this book became the foundation for the dissemination of the discourse of coastal and marine resource management based on indigenous peoples found in this research. National policies that have made room for the implementation of community resource management practices should be welcomed with innovative research to formulate effective and sustainable policy and action plans.

This book has been adopted as a basis in formulating policies and action plans for the empowerment of indigenous peoples who inhabit small islands by the Directorate of Coastal and Small Island Utilization, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of the Republic of Indonesia. The parties commit to continue similar research for other indigenous communities, and will use the SES approach (social ecological system) as the main approach of research. It is expected that appropriate coastal and marine resource management models will surface and will be implemented in indigenous communities in Indonesia.

Information in this post, and all images, were provided by CCRN Researcher Ahmad Mony.

]]> Maintaining coastal and Indigenous community access to marine resources and the ocean in Canada https://www.communityconservation.net/maintaining-coastal-and-indigenous-community-access-to-marine-resources-and-the-ocean-in-canada/ Tue, 12 Dec 2017 15:47:59 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=4310
Article Originally posted/authored on 

A team of academics, Indigenous peoples, fishers, and NGOs, including CCRN researchers Nathan Bennett and Natalie Ban, and CCRN Director Anthony Charles, recently published a review and policy perspective paper in Marine Policy urging that access for coastal and Indigenous communities should be a priority consideration in all policies and decision-making processes related to fisheries and the ocean in Canada. The ability to use and benefit from marine resources (including fisheries) and areas of the ocean or coast is central to the sustainability of coastal communities. In Canada, however, access to marine resources and spaces is a significant and growing issue for many coastal and Indigenous communities due to an increasingly busy ocean: ocean-related development, competition over fisheries and marine resources, and marine planning and conservation activities that confine activities to certain areas. Loss of access has implications for the well-being, including economic, social, cultural, health, and political considerations, and persistence of coastal and Indigenous communities across the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coasts of Canada. The vibrancy and continuity of these communities is important to Canadian society for many reasons, including identity, autonomy, sovereignty, culture, healthy rural-urban dynamics, and environmental sustainability. Greater attention is needed to the various factors that support or undermine the ability of coastal and Indigenous communities to access and benefit from the ocean and how to reverse the current trend to ensure that coastal and Indigenous communities thrive in the future.

 

Factors that can support or undermine access to marine resources and the ocean - Bennett et al, Marine Policy 2017

KEY MESSAGES

Access to marine resources and the ocean is important for the well-being of coastal populations. In Canada, the ability of many coastal and Indigenous communities to access and benefit from the ocean is a growing issue. Access for coastal and Indigenous communities should be a priority consideration in all policies and decision-making processes related to fisheries and the ocean in Canada. Taking action now could reverse the current trend and ensure that coastal and Indigenous communities thrive in the future.

Recommended actions include:

  1. Ensuring access is proactively and transparently considered in all fisheries and ocean-related decisions.
  2. Supporting policy-relevant research on access issues to fill knowledge gaps and enable effective policy and management responses.
  3. Making data publicly available and accessible and including communities in decision-making processes that grant or restrict access to adjacent marine resources and spaces.
  4. Ensuring updated laws, policies and planning processes explicitly incorporate access considerations.
  5. Identifying and taking priority actions now to maintain and increase access, when appropriate and sustainable, for coastal and Indigenous communities.

For more information, refer to the following publication and policy brief:

Bennett NJ et al. 2018. Coastal and Indigenous community access to marine resources and the ocean: A policy imperative for Canada. Marine Policy 87:186–193. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17306413 

Policy Brief: Maintaining coastal and Indigenous community access to marine resources and the ocean in Canada

Link to original post: https://nathanbennett.ca/2017/11/21/maintaining-coastal-and-indigenous-community-access-to-marine-resources-and-the-ocean-in-canada/

]]> Power and Politics in Community Conservation https://www.communityconservation.net/power-and-politics-in-community-conservation/ Wed, 22 Nov 2017 21:49:43 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=3913 Issues of power and politics are at the heart of community conservation which in turn influences its ultimate success and failure. Power is central to understanding processes and structures associated with resource and environmental conservation. This may be particularly important in the case of community conservation which is widespread throughout the world. Despite its importance, there remains limited empirical attention to the actual workings of power in environmental settings, and particularly with regards to conditions determining the success and failure of community conservation (i.e. lack of attention to the complex and dynamic economic, social, historical, cultural and political conditions). A limited attention to empirical analysis of power is also apparent in fisheries and coastal management. For example, power is considered an understated and understudied issue in coastal and fisheries management, and there is in reality little discussion on what it means and how it manifests. Drawing from these insights, I will focus on power and politics as they relate to community conservation with specific reference to the strategies and tactics used by various actors either to grab power or ways in which communities in conservation respond to forces causing disempowerment. I plan to provide some initial insights on possible methods and tools used by the community conservation groups to realize their rights, deal with injustices, and gain power to further livelihood and conservation objectives. My reflections in this webinar be largely based on the contents of a paper on which several CCRN members are currently working.

]]> Balancing social justice and conservation concerns in an era of expanded protected area targets https://www.communityconservation.net/balancing-social-justice-and-conservation-concerns-in-an-era-of-expanded-protected-area-targets/ Mon, 20 Nov 2017 21:48:08 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=3911 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly recognised across the world as an important strategy for protecting marine resources, conserving biodiversity, rebuilding threatened fish stocks and restoring degraded habitats. The value of MPAs has been discussed at various global gatherings such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 and the Fifth World Parks Congress in Durban in South Africa in 2003, as well as various Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meetings. Furthermore, several conservation and fisheries development agencies have also called for action to speed up the process of marine protection and have encouraged governments to establish MPAs and MPA networks. Various conventions, protocols and agreements, all recognise the importance of the conservation of coastal and marine resources and areas, but they also highlight the need to take account of the socio-economic and cultural rights and interests of local communities living in and adjacent to such areas. Governments are faced with calls to expand MPAs and establish a representative network of MPAs but also to address the potential impacts of MPA’s, on rights, livelihoods and social wellbeing of coastal communities. This webinar explores the tensions between efforts to manage existing and extend protected areas and requirements to respect rights and livelihoods of local communities living in and adjacent to such areas. It draws on cases from South Africa to illustrate some of the tensions and challenges on the ground and explores possible shifts – in thinking, values and approaches – required to move towards an approach to marine conservation that embraces social justice principles.

]]> Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Marine Protected Areas https://www.communityconservation.net/indigenous-peoples-rights-and-marine-protected-areas/ Sun, 19 Nov 2017 20:42:21 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=4091

CCRN Affiliate Natalie Ban authored a new study on marine protected areas worldwide, stating urgent action is needed in Canada to make sure Indigenous rights are included in the creation and management of ocean conservation measures. Ban said with Canada recently reaching this year’s target of conserving five per cent of its oceans, and with public awareness around reconciliation with Indigenous citizens, the time is right to make gains in both areas at once.

In her study, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Marine Protected Areas, published this month in the journal Marine Policy, Ban surveyed published studies on marine protected areas around the world and found only 15 that included mentions of Indigenous rights.

Most came from Australia and countries around there. Only a few mentioned other countries, like Panama and the United States. One study was found in Canada. That study referred to the Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve and Haida Heritage Site in Canada, where the area’s management board consists of an equal number of Haida First Nation and federal government representatives. The federal government still has ultimate authority for decisions, Ban said, but co-management has been the practice.

Coincidentally, Canada has been ramping up announcements on marine conservation in order to meet its target of conserving 10 per cent of marine territories by 2020, and it has been placing greater emphasis on reconciliation with Indigenous people. The tripartite process of creating marine protected areas in B.C., involving the federal, provincial and First Nation governments, resulted in a co-management deal that could be a model for the rest of Canada, Ban said.

Highlights of the Study

  • Marine protected areas are being established primarily to protect biodiversity.
  • Indigenous peoples have inherent rights, including to marine resources.
  • Marine protected areas have the potential to support Indigenous rights.
  • Research on MPAs and Indigenous governance and management is limited.
  • MPAs that involve Indigenous peoples achieve cultural conservation goals.

Follow the link for more information about the study.

]]> Tsitsikamma, South Africa https://www.communityconservation.net/tsitsikamma-south-africa/ Fri, 17 Nov 2017 22:01:24 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=4104 thumbnail of Tsitsikamma_CommunityStory

View the complete CCRN’s Tsitsikamma Community Story as a PDF

Ella-Kari Muhl

 

 

 

 

Key messages

  • The Tsitsikamma area includes local communities whose food security and livelihoods have been impacted negatively by various government actions, notably a no-take marine protected area (MPA).
  • While MPAs are promoted as a long-term conservation strategy, no-take MPAs threaten the food security and cultural practices of fishers in areas of low economic opportunity and limited alternative livelihoods or transitional support.
  • A lack of communication between the regulating authority (SANParks) and the fishers has increased conflict in the Tsitsikamma area and endangered community members’ food security and livelihoods.
  • Participatory monitoring, with formalised consultation with community members, may reduce conflict and strengthen conservation goals.

Community profile

Tsitsikamma, or ‘place of much water’ in Khoisan (the local Indigenous language), is an area interlinking the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (MPA) spans 80 km and affects the food security, cultural practices and livelihoods of eight communities, including Thornham, Stormsrivier, Nompumelelo and Sanddrif (Figure 1). The Tsitsikamma National Park (TNP) MPA was created in 1964, following the 1962 IUCN World Parks Congress. The TNP MPA is the oldest in South Africa.

Figure 1: The location of the TNP MPA relevant to the local communities

At first, fishing was permitted in certain areas of the Tsitsikamma MPA, with a permit. This was later restricted in 1976 to only one area, before ultimately becoming a “no-take” MPA in 2000. Since this year, local fishers have been barred from harvesting marine resources despite historically having had access to the ocean and coastal resources. The communities have been reliant on mixed livelihoods, including fishing, for generations. There are currently 5,434 people residing in the four communities who, due to low economic opportunity, are reliant on fishing for food security and consider it part of their cultural practice.

Conservation and livelihood challenges

Historically, the South African government enforced racially exclusionary rules for accessing the coast and its resources, leading to the marginalisation of rural coastal communities (especially in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal), which were dependent on coastal resources for their food security and livelihoods(2,11). In the wake of apartheid, South Africa’s National Parks have come under increased pressure to reconcile the wealth of natural resources to the social and economic needs of the previously oppressed black rural communities(1).

The impacts of “no-take” MPA

With the abolition of apartheid and introduction of democracy, it was hoped that the right of small-scale and subsistence fishers would be restored in accordance with their culture and tradition(10). When the legislative change to a “no take” MPA took place in 2000 under the Marine Living Resource Act 18 of 1998, it was shown to affect not only food security for the fishers and their families but also their cultural identity and heritage (7). The Thornham, Stormsrivier, Nompumelelo and Sanddrif communities have been reliant on fishing as a form of food security. With the loss of access to fish, there has been a reported decline in health and increase in crime(4).

Fishers stated that, in addition, their well-being has been affected by the closure of the MPA, as fishing is part of their identity(1). The current top-down governmental conservation programme, which introduced a no-take MPA as a form of conservation to promote sustainability and biodiversity, was implemented without consultation with the community, and subsequently has elevated conflict between community members and the regulating authority.

Food security, customary rights and livelihood impacts

With no alternative livelihood provided, local village economies remain limited with few economic opportunities available (Figure 2). Local household economies are poor and under severe stress.

In 2016, for example, only 52.6% of households met the financial requirements for food security, which increases fisher’s dependence on marine resources as a supplementary food source. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing built by the South African government in 2001 to create Nompumelelo village added 480 households to the area, placing additional pressure on resources(6). The timing of the completion of RDP housing coincided with the delineation of a no-take MPA, thus increased competition for work, and placed strain on local amenities, with already limited public services and health care.

The change in coastal access and legislation has had a negative effect on the community with a loss of livelihoods, fishing and recreational activity. The community describe themselves as being “born on the rocks (coast)”, claiming original ancestry from the indigenous Khoi-san people, indicating a consideration of the coast as a part of their culture and traditions(1,6).

Many residents in Tsitsikamma have also historically relied on coastal forests for a range of amenities, such as medicinal plants, honey and woods for fuels and building materials, which they are also denied access to.

Figure 2: A former fisher, no longer allowed to access the coast, writes poetry about the sea now.

The lack of recognition as stakeholders and exclusion from the coastline has illustrated that unless social and ecological factors are considered with the design of the MPA, illegal fishing and conflict will continue between SANParks (South African National Parks) and the local communities.

Community initiatives

In 1994, the community created the Tsitsikamma Angling Forum (TAF) to represent local fishers who wanted access to the coast. The TAF have formally petitioned against the TNP in 1976, 1995, 2006, and 2015. They have also worked with a task team comprised of the Kou Kamma municipality and SANParks to reopen the TNP in 2006, 2014 and 2015. The TAF actively protested SANParks in 2007, when 70 members fished illegally in the Tsitsikamma MPA.

Over time, the community has become increasingly mobilized and in 2015, following workshops between the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Oceans and Coasts Branch, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), SANParks, the local municipality (Kou Kamma) and representatives from TAF, a decision was made to open specific areas within the MPA for fishing with restrictions. The plan to reopen certain areas was approved in December 2015 through promulgation of a government gazette but was then blocked by the Friends of the Tsitsikamma, an association that obtained a court interdict against SANParks, DEA and TAF in January 2016(9).

Figure 3: Map depicting the three coastal control zones within the Tsitsikamma MPA

Legal recognition of historically disadvantaged residents

Following the closure in January 2016, the TNP MPA was rezoned later in December 2016 in the new government gazette 40511(8) to allow three controlled fishing areas to be opened (Figure 3). However, the MPA re-opening process has been questioned as consultation was not carried out with local community members and was poorly conceptualized with little practical changes for community member’s food security or livelihoods.

At present, community members are required to purchase a permit. However, older fishers and minors are either prohibited or unable to fish under the new gazette ruling, halting the multi-generational transfer of knowledge. This prevents the oral traditions and teachings of the older generation from passing down to the present. The subsequent absence of SANParks at the controlled zones prevents fishers from communicating effectively with rangers and leads to miscommunication and further resentment towards SANParks.

The challenges and lack of capacity within SANParks reveal the vulnerability of the Tsitsikamma fishing communities and the need to incorporate local ecological knowledge (LEK) and community members into partnerships with researchers and authorities to better manage MPAs.

Practical outcomes

The Tsitsikamma community have issues of food security and a lack of economic opportunities or alternative livelihoods (Figure 4). The creation of the no-take MPA has disrupted a reliance on fish as a contribution to food and cultural practices(1,5).

The community members have identified five solutions that would be the most beneficial towards restoring trust between community fishers and SANParks (Figure 5).

(1) Collaboration

Community members and government officials need to work together through a duty of care and environmental stewardship for the Tsitsikamma MPA, along with an understanding that fishers would protect the resource, as long as their cultural rights were preserved and they are allowed access to harvest medicinal plants, fish and other forest items sustainably.

(2) Transgenerational access to the Tsitsikamma MPA

Emphasis is placed on elders and minors being able to access the coast for fishing and cultural practices. The older generation hold the knowledge and cultural practices from their ancestors – they are instrumental in teaching the youth the importance of using natural resources sustainably and teaching them about the species of fish, the types of medicinal plants and how to harvest them in an environmentally friendly manner.

 

Figure 4: The Stormsrivier mouth which is located centrally in the park and would be accessible to fishers, however is reserved for tourists.

(3) Education

The fishers expressed interest in environmental education workshops for both adults and children, as almost a whole generation has not had access to the sea resulting in loss of knowledge. Fishers listed workshops as being beneficial so that they could better understand why certain species were not allowed to be caught. This would also help to clarify rules as, at present, the new government gazette is unclear and some fishers are unsure of why certain rules are in place.

(4) Communication

To empower fishers and effectively promote collaboration, communication is necessary between relevant government departments, SANParks, and working groups made up of interested parties, scientists and elected community members. Increasing the capacity of and empowering local fishers to participate in decision-making processes leads to practical, real solutions that strengthen ownership and promote care of the resource.

(5) Acknowledgement of customary rights and access rights

In order to improve management, increased understanding of government officials of the fishers’ customary rights and importance of access will foster respect and promote conservation, as well as help reduce tensions and conflict between the two parties.

Future concerns

Dialogue between the community and the regulating authorities is improving; however, for there to be a successful conservation impact, policy makers need to widely consult on proposed changes before implementing them. Top-down processes of government control only serve to further marginalise the community and promote resentment. A working partnership is necessary to establish trust and understanding with an emphasis on local ecological knowledge combined with scientific expertise for better policy and practice.

Figure 5: The Thornham Focus Group members with their list of practical outcomes

References

  1. Faasen, H. (2006). ‘Synergies between biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural development of adjacent communities: a case study of the Tsitsikamma National Park’. Master’s thesis (Conservation Ecology and Entomology). University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Available at: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/2913
  2. Glavovic, B.C., Boonzaier, S. (2007). Confronting coastal poverty: Building sustainable coastal livelihoods in South Africa. Ocean & Coastal Management 50(1–2), pp.1–23. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ocecoaman.2006.07.001
  3. Maharajh, R. J. (2003). ‘Values and concerns in decision- making about a waste reduction incinerator at Stormsriver, Tsitsikamma: A case study in applied ethics’. Master’s thesis (Philosophy). University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
  4. Muhl, E.-K. (2016). ‘Food security and livelihood threats: an investigation into the lives of the fishers bordering the Tsitsikamma National Park’. Honours thesis (unpublished). University of Cape Town, South Africa.
  5. Muhl, E.K. (2019). ‘An analysis of the Perceptions Surrounding the re-Zoning of the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area’. Master’s thesis (Environmental and Geographical Science). Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Available at: https://open.uct.ac.za/handle/11427/31347
  6. Muhl, E.-K., Esteves Dias, A.C. and Armitage, D. (2020). ‘Experiences With Governance in Three Marine Conservation Zoning Initiatives: Parameters for Assessment and Pathways Forward’. Frontiers in Marine Science 7: 629. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00629
  7. Muhl, E.K. and Sowman, M., 2020. Rights, Resources, Rezoning and the Challenges of Governance in South Africa’s Oldest Marine Protected Area. Conservation and Society 18(4): 366. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4103/ cs.cs_19_154
  8. Republic of South Africa (2016). ‘Protected Areas Act, 2003, Act No. 57. Regulations for the Management of the Tsitsikamma National Park Marine Protected Area’. Government Gazette, Vol. 618, No. 40511, Regulation No. 10676, 19 December 2016. Pretoria. South Africa: Government Printing Works. Available at: https://www. environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/legislations/ protectedareasact57of2003%29_regulations_ sitsikammanationalpark_gg40511_0.pdf
  9. Republic of South Africa Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries (RSA DEFF) (2016). ‘Settlement reached in court on the pilot recreational angling project in the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area’. RSA DEFF [website]. Available at: https://www.environment.gov.za/mediarelease/courtsettlement_tsitsikammamarineprotectedarea; https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/ courtjudment_ontsitsikammamarineprotectedarea2016.pdf
  10. Sowman, M., Scott, D., Green, L.J.F., Hara, M.M., Hauck, M., Kirsten, K., Paterson, B., Raemaekers, S., Jones, K., Sunde, J. and Turpie, J.K. (2013). ‘Shallow waters: social science research in South Africa’s marine environment’. African Journal of Marine Science 35(3): 385–402. Available at: http:// dx.doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2013.836134
  11. Sunde, J. (2014). Customary governance and expressions of living customary law at Dwesa-Cwebe: contributions to small- scale fisheries governance in South Africa. Doctoral thesis (Environmental and Geographical Science). Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Available at: https://open.uct.ac.za/ handle/11427/13275

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the involvement of the community members, as well as the support of her supervisors, Philile Mbatha and Professor Merle Sowman.

Check out this CCRN funded video produced by CCRN student Ella-Kari Muhl.

Listen to the accounts of local community members as they describe and express the struggles and challenges related to the implementation of the marine protected area, and how the current challenges are endangering the future of the community. The video highlights the values and needs of the local residents, and, through those values, demonstrates indicators and practices that would lead to success

]]> Rights-based approaches for community co-managed coastal resources by Juan Carlos Seijo & Minerva Arce-Ibarra https://www.communityconservation.net/rights-based-approaches-for-community-co-managed-coastal-resources/ Wed, 08 Nov 2017 21:43:14 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=3903 This webinar has two aims; firstly, it gives account of historical traits of the origin as well as on current debates on Rights Based Approaches (RBA) to the management of coastal resources; secondly, it addresses the context of RBA of three Mexican Caribbean case studies – Punta Allen, Mahahual and Xcalak in which RBA to coastal resources are currently in place. The analysis is based on FAO’s rights-based use and management approach (Orensanz and Seijo 2013). Our results show that the case studies include a diversity of use and management rights including: (1) rights of use and community co-management to particular fishing areas; (2) rights of access to particular snorkeling and SCUBA areas for tourism; and (3) rights to use coastal resources (e.g., discarded shells) to make arts and crafts. The recorded RBAs have been evolving, from open access to community co-managed access rights during the last four decades. The three case studies analyzed show different institutional arrangements responding either to the presence or absence of natural protected areas in place, local contexts, status of coastal marine resources, and governance capacities in place.

]]> Intergenerational Knowledge Sharing of Conservation Values in Indigenous Communities by Dawn Foxcroft & Michelle Colyn https://www.communityconservation.net/intergenerational-knowledge-sharing-of-conservation-values-in-indigenous-communities/ Wed, 08 Nov 2017 21:41:53 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=3901 In this webinar, Dawn Foxcroft and Michelle Colyn discuss the power of intergenerational knowledge transmission between youth and elders and its connection to stewardship in Indigenous communities. As members of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation, along Canada’s West Coast, and working for Uu-a-thluk, Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Fisheries, they bring a community perspective to this topic. They explore how assimilation tactics have caused a disconnection between elders and youth, and youth and the environment; why these relationships between the generations are fundamental to the health of aquatic resources; and they highlight approaches they have used to foster these intergenerational connections grounded in Nuu-chah-nulth principles.

]]> Canada’s Ocean Priorities and International Leadership on Oceans https://www.communityconservation.net/canadas-ocean-priorities-and-international-leadership-on-oceans/ Thu, 02 Nov 2017 13:16:38 +0000 https://www.communityconservation.net/?p=3809 CCRN Director, Dr. Anthony Charles, was one of four university professors from across Canada invited to provide advice to Fisheries & Oceans Minister LeBlanc and Environment Minister McKenna concerning Canada’s ocean priorities, and international leadership on oceans. The Marine Experts Roundtable took place onboard the ship Polar Prince, in Victoria on October 28th, at the end of the massive C3 Expedition around Canada.

Victoria Harbour from the Polar Prince

The meeting also involved participants from Indigenous organizations, environmental NGOs, ocean industries, and federal government departments, as well as the Chief Science Advisor, Mona Nemer, and the C3 leader, Geoff Green. Among other ocean issues, Dr. Charles highlighted the importance of coastal communities and their wellbeing to marine stewardship, and the corresponding need to make coastal communities a priority in ocean policy and in practical ocean initiatives, at the national and international levels.

Marine Experts Roundtable meeting room on the Polar Prince

Canada C3 was an epic 150-day sailing journey from Toronto to Victoria via the Northwest Passage, celebrating Canada’s environment, sharing the stories of coastal communities and connecting Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Follow this link for more information about the event and expedition.

Information and pictures provided by Dr. Anthony Charles.

Featured image caption: Polar Prince arriving into Victoria Harbour

]]>