Session: S-207
MAKING LIVELIHOODS PROJECTS WORK: APPRAISING FISHERIES-BASED LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES FOR MARINE CONSERVATION

Most marine conservation efforts in developing countries explicitly recognize the intricate links between poverty and environmental degradation, and the need for an integrated approach to tackle these problems. Considerable investments are therefore made to diversify the livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities. There is sharp debate on the effectiveness of such ‘alternative livelihood projects’, as there is notable lack of... [ view more ]

Most marine conservation efforts in developing countries explicitly recognize the intricate links between poverty and environmental degradation, and the need for an integrated approach to tackle these problems. Considerable investments are therefore made to diversify the livelihoods of small-scale fishing communities. There is sharp debate on the effectiveness of such ‘alternative livelihood projects’, as there is notable lack of convincing cases where interventions have successfully improved incomes, food security, or health, and led to a reduction of threats to biodiversity. This is reminiscent of experiences in fisheries management and development policy, where efforts to provide incentives to leave the small-scale fisheries sector have largely failed. This symposium aims to improve our understanding of if alternative livelihood projects actually work and, perhaps more importantly, what can be done to enhance the fisheries-based livelihoods of vulnerable coastal communities while maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem integrity.