Marine Materiality and Ontologies of Marine Conservation in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Geothermal Domes in Costa Rica (2023)

Ocean Policy, Part 153, 2023, no. 105632

The curled octopus Eledone cirrhosa and the common octopus Octopus vulgaris can both be considered inhabitants of waters throughout the UK, although the latter is considered rare following historic population declines and severe range reductions. There is evidence of increasing octopus hunting in the UK, although it is difficult to understand the population dynamics between the two species and estimate significant stocks as most landing data is not species specific. This growing fishery, together with government plans to include octopus in fisheries management plans and a growing desire by fishermen and the public to have more fisheries certified as sustainable means that octopus landing data must be species specific. A similar situation exists for two species of megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and L. boscii), which were originally subject to a single total allowable catch (TAC), but sustainability concerns have increased the need, and the fisheries are managed separately. We consider this work to be applicable to all other commercially important species that are currently assessed as a single unit, but where local populations may exist.

Ocean Policy, Part 153, 2023, no. 105640

The small-scale artisanal fishing (SSF) industry in Ghana is failing despite many governance structures and regulatory and policy frameworks for sector development. Sustainable management of small-scale fisheries requires a better understanding of the complexities of their management and the antecedents of transformation. Using qualitative methods and non-probability sampling techniques, we uncover the intrinsic and exogenous factors that contribute to the insufficient capacity of SSF governance groups and how this leads to their marginalization and subsequent dissonance, challenging the sector's effective governance and accountability. Low levels of formal education, a long-standing perception of fisheries as a traditional heritage that does not require formal management systems, a lack of structured leadership training in fisheries management and leadership selection processes have been identified as key areas of undercapacity in the artisanal sector. Individual fishers feel inadequately involved in fisheries decision-making processes and do not know fisheries laws and policies, due to the top-down distribution of management. The current system does not encourage local participation and coherence in the policy implementation process, which leads to further marginalization of individual fishermen, creates disharmony in the industry and ultimately leads to overexploitation of small pelagic fisheries on the brink of collapse. We propose effective and transformational governance reforms to promote sustainable fisheries in Ghana's SSF sector, primarily capacity building, inclusion, leadership reforms and shared governance.

Ocean Policy, Part 153, 2023, no. 105634

Using data from the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey 2020, we examine the relationship between aquaculture, household income and inequality in coastal Vietnam. Using two-step cluster analysis, we identified five clusters of Livelihood Strategies (LS) followed by local households. We found that about 13% of households are engaged in aquaculture, but only 6% of households are engaged in aquaculture LS, while half of households are engaged in leased LS. Our regression analysis showed that incomes in the LS cluster for aquaculture were on average higher than income from wages or the LS cluster for "other income". Interestingly, the quantile regression results showed that in the top percentile of the income distribution, those dependent on aquaculture earned higher incomes than all other subsistence clusters. This implies a positive relationship between the choice of aquaculture in a Member State and household income. In addition, we found that land use for aquaculture is positively associated with the likelihood of engaging in and earning an income from aquaculture. It is worth noting that the Gini decomposition analysis shows that the distribution of land for aquaculture and its income is extremely unequal, and tends more towards the affluent population. Given the significant positive relationship between aquaculture land and the profitability of aquaculture LS, our findings suggest that expansion of the aquaculture sector (e.g., allocation of aquaculture land use rights and/or training for aquaculture farmers) can help local households to increase their income and reduce inequality in shrinking coastal areas. areas.

Ocean Policy, Part 153, 2023, no. 105664

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused port congestion and disrupted global logistics and supply chains. While previous research has examined the impact on port efficiency and the economy, social issues, such as the impact on port personnel, including pilots, have been neglected. Against this background, this article examines the challenges faced by Chinese pilots during the outbreak through in-depth interviews with 28 pilots. This suggests that China's draconian pandemic control measures, rather than the pandemic itself, have compromised the physical and mental health of pilots, reduced their availability and introduced new safety risks, affecting the port's ability to pilot effectively and safely. substandard service. The findings suggest that there is a serious problem with the lack of effective mechanisms for pilots to raise their health and safety concerns and how these are addressed by port and/or local authorities. Workers' participation and participation in occupational health and safety management is problematic. These findings have implications for the management of pilot stations at the administrative and legislative level, both in business and in government.

Ocean Policy, Part 153, 2023, no. 105638

Environmental legislation has been enacted to coordinate conservation with socio-economic development, but its effectiveness in marine ecosystems has rarely been evaluated. Large countries with high biodiversity and significant potential for industrial fishing, tourism, ocean expansion and oil and gas exploration are expected to have comprehensive and legally secure legislation to ensure long-term sustainable development. Using the Brazilian research model as a driver of biodiversity, we summarize federal legal instruments related to marine conservation between 1960 and 2020. Our goal is to improve the level of judicial certainty and biological coverage of the country's legislation. We search official databases and professional literature for marine species in laws, decisions, regulations, normative guidelines and regulations. Our research revealed a total of 443 legal instruments, more than half of which were produced after 2000. About 88% are regulations, normative directives and decrees that can be easily withdrawn without public engagement and political discussion. Laws and resolutions are the second most secure instruments after the Federal Constitution, with only 12% of instruments. Only 138 species are specifically listed in 352 instruments, accounting for only 7% of the marine animal diversity recognized by the Brazilian government. Invertebrates such as sponges, corals and echinoderms are less protected than vertebrates. Fish are the least protected group of vertebrates. Some instruments cover entire ecosystems rather than individual species, which are more effective for long-term conservation. We conclude that marine animal legislation has grown significantly since the 1960s, but remains legally weak and biologically limited.

Ocean Policy, Part 153, 2023, no. 105639

The global search and rescue (SAR) system relies heavily on merchant ships for maritime rescue and salvage operations. Traditionally, the ships on which such operations are carried out are ships with a captain and crew on board, capable at least to some extent of boarding, accommodating and providing humanitarian assistance to rescued persons. With the introduction of unmanned remotely piloted ships, the potential role of these ships in SAR systems must be carefully assessed. In this regard, policy makers should ensure that the safety of life at sea is not compromised by the commercial interests pursued in the deployment of these vessels and ensure that the contribution of these vessels to search and rescue is maximized. In the context of long-distance operations, this may require a reassessment of the responsibilities for assistance and rescue imposed on the captain of a conventional vessel, including their scope and who may be responsible. This document notes that remotely piloted drones may be needed to carry out their duties, but the technical limitations of these drones and the lack of on-board humanitarian assistance due to unmanned operations will significantly limit their range. The design and facilities of these ships should therefore be carefully considered to extend their responsibilities and thereby maximize their contribution to the safety of life at sea.