Browsing by Author "Defeo, Omar"

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    Assessing the performance of a participatory governance transformation in small-scale fisheries: A case study from Uruguay
    (2024) Bausero-Jorcin, Sofia; Gelcich, Stefan; Gianelli, Ignacio; Jorge-Romero, Gabriela; Lezama, Cecilia; Defeo, Omar
    The crisis in small-scale fisheries (SSFs) is worsened by weak governance structures, requiring urgent transformation. Participatory arrangements like co-management offer potential to enhance resilience in these social ecological systems. However, the performance of collaborative governance modes must be evaluated to support institutional learning, refine governance structures, and ensure the legitimacy of transformative changes. In Uruguay, Local Fishery Councils (LFCs) were institutionalized a decade ago to involve fishers in managing and governing SSFs. This study assesses the LFC for the yellow clam SSF using three approaches: analysis of LFC meeting minutes, compilation of stakeholder perceptions, and analysis of social networks. The study found a decline in session frequency due to limited resources caused by the termination of an externally funded project. Performance indicators from the minutes identified recurring concerns on assessment, governance, and management, and issues related to monitoring, control, and surveillance. The influence of markets and the impact of red tides on fisheries performance were also brought up. Stakeholders perceived successful management solutions achieved through collaborative efforts, supporting co-management and resource recovery progress. However, social network analysis revealed communication patterns marked by core-periphery structure, showing partial disconnection and reluctance of the coastal marine authority to engage in inter-institutional collaboration. Despite challenges from climate change and markets, the LFC played a crucial role in co-creating solutions, empowering fishers with new skills and knowledge. Findings stress the importance of collaborative governance in promoting sustainable management and supporting institutional learning for transformative change in SSFs.
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    Co-management in Latin American small-scale shellfisheries: assessment from long-term case studies
    (2016) Defeo, Omar; Castrejón, Mauricio; Pérez Castañeda, Roberto; Castilla, Juan Carlos; Gutiérrez, Nicolás L.; Essington, Timothy E.; Folke, Carl
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    Harnessing the diversity of small-scale actors is key to the future of aquatic food systems
    (2021) Short, Rebecca E.; Gelcich, Stefan; Little, David C.; Micheli, Fiorenza; Allison, Edward H.; Basurto, Xavier; Belton, Ben; Brugere, Cecile; Bush, Simon R.; Cao, Ling; Crona, Beatrice; Cohen, Philippa J.; Defeo, Omar; Edwards, Peter; Ferguson, Caroline E.; Franz, Nicole; Golden, Christopher D.; Halpern, Benjamin S.; Hazen, Lucie; Hicks, Christina; Johnson, Derek; Kaminski, Alexander M.; Mangubhai, Sangeeta; Naylor, Rosamond L.; Reantaso, Melba; Sumaila, U. Rashid; Thilsted, Shakuntala H.; Tigchelaar, Michelle; Wabnitz, Colette C. C.; Zhang, Wenbo
    Small-scale fisheries and aquaculture (SSFA) provide livelihoods for over 100 million people and sustenance for -1 billion people, particularly in the Global South. Aquatic foods are distributed through diverse supply chains, with the potential to be highly adaptable to stresses and shocks, but face a growing range of threats and adaptive challenges. Contemporary governance assumes homogeneity in SSFA despite the diverse nature of this sector. Here we use SSFA actor profiles to capture the key dimensions and dynamism of SSFA diversity, reviewing contemporary threats and exploring opportunities for the SSFA sector. The heuristic framework can inform adaptive governance actions supporting the diversity and vital roles of SSFA in food systems, and in the health and livelihoods of nutritionally vulnerable people-supporting their viability through appropriate policies whilst fostering equitable and sustainable food systems.
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    Healing small-scale fisheries by facilitating complex socio-ecological systems
    (2009) McClanahan, Timothy R; Castilla, Juan Carlos; White, Alan T.; Defeo, Omar
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    Navigating transformations in governance of Chilean marine coastal resources
    (NATL ACAD SCIENCES, 2010) Gelcich, Stefan; Hughes, Terry P.; Olsson, Per; Folke, Carl; Defeo, Omar; Fernandez, Miriam; Foale, Simon; Gunderson, Lance H.; Rodriguez Sickert, Carlos; Scheffer, Marten; Steneck, Robert S.; Castilla, Juan C.
    Marine ecosystems are in decline. New transformational changes in governance are urgently required to cope with overfishing, pollution, global changes, and other drivers of degradation. Here we explore social, political, and ecological aspects of a transformation in governance of Chile's coastal marine resources, from 1980 to today. Critical elements in the initial preparatory phase of the transformation were (i) recognition of the depletion of resource stocks, (ii) scientific knowledge on the ecology and resilience of targeted species and their role in ecosystem dynamics, and (iii) demonstration-scale experimental trials, building on smaller-scale scientific experiments, which identified new management pathways. The trials improved cooperation among scientists and fishers, integrating knowledge and establishing trust. Political turbulence and resource stock collapse provided a window of opportunity that triggered the transformation, supported by new enabling legislation. Essential elements to navigate this transformation were the ability to network knowledge from the local level to influence the decision-making processes at the national level, and a preexisting social network of fishers that provided political leverage through a national confederation of artisanal fishing collectives. The resultant governance scheme includes a revolutionary national system of marine tenure that allocates user rights and responsibilities to fisher collectives. Although fine tuning is necessary to build resilience of this new regime, this transformation has improved the sustainability of the interconnected social-ecological system. Our analysis of how this transformation unfolded provides insights into how the Chilean system could be further developed and identifies generalized pathways for improved governance of marine resources around the world.