The consequences of landscape change on fishing strategies

Sci Total Environ. 2017 Feb 1:579:930-939. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.052. Epub 2016 Nov 21.

Abstract

We show how land-use change can affect fisher-harvesting behavior. We test whether fisher harvesting behavior can be predicted by landscape change patterns at local (~200km) and regional (~1200km) levels. Our data suggest that fishers harvesting in areas near tree plantations reduced benthic-invertebrate harvests in favor of demersal and pelagic finfish that are usually located further offshore. Fishers' management areas, which were near tree plantations, had higher chlorophyll-a values, and contained shellfish with more endobionts. Technology (owning a boat) and experience (age, years fishing, and alternative livelihoods) explained little in fisher-harvesting behavior. The flagship Chilean fisheries management program and seafood companies sourcing from these areas will need to respond to these new challenges. Despite complexities in designing cross-scale, social-ecological studies, we can no longer ignore the interconnectedness of commodities in the biosphere.

Keywords: Adaptive management; Biosphere; Coast; Ecosystem management; Fisheries; Land-sea interactions; Land-use change; Plantations.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chile
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / methods*
  • Ecosystem
  • Fisheries / statistics & numerical data*
  • Fishes
  • Humans
  • Shellfish
  • Ships