Designing and evaluating alternative livelihoods for shark conservation: a case study on thresher sharks in Alor Island, Indonesia

Oryx, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 12

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

Abstract The pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus is an Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered species primarily threatened by overfishing. Indonesia the world's largest fishing nation, in Alor Island, sharks have been a primary target for small-scale communities decades, sustaining subsistence livelihoods serving as protein source. With populations continuously declining, there need conservation measures to reduce mortality from fishing, while also securing well-being of coastal communities. This study presents results lessons learnt multi-faceted effort communities’ dependence on this through livelihood-based intervention complemented collaborative management community outreach. Using theory-based statistical research design, we describe approach taken our its outcomes. Total catches were 91% lower among fishers who participated compared non-participants. Participating experienced increases their income, some cases up 525% relative income before intervention. Occasional violations challenges form socio-political conflicts occurred, yet these incidents acted catalysts regulatory change reinforced stakeholder collaboration. suggests overall positive outcomes potential continued social region over long term. Our findings outline generalizable designing implementing bottom-up interventions other contexts.

Language: Английский

Exploring practical conservation measures for pelagic thresher sharks using local knowledge in Sunda Banda seascape

Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 3

Published: March 19, 2025

The pelagic thresher shark ( Alopias pelagicus ) is an evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered species, with population declines primarily attributed to targeted fishing bycatch in both small-scale industrial fisheries. As the world's largest nation, Indonesia a global priority for conservation. Recent studies have revealed that Sunda Banda seascape eastern hotspot migration route this species. While many fisheries operate seascape, there lack of data regarding interactions between these sharks area, which hinders efforts mitigate overfishing promote This study addresses gap by utilizing local ecological knowledge from fishers Banda, Central Maluku, Indonesia. We employed mixed-methods approach, combining surveys N = 52) focus group discussions 25), selected through purposive snowball sampling. methodology enabled us explore fishers' socio-economic attributes, knowledge, attitudes, concerning their Our results identified 16 locations where captured or sighted threshers, all overlap Ay-Rhun Sea marine protected areas. found depended on livelihoods, some having participated trade past. However, threshers are not target species due low economic value. Instead, they accidentally caught handlines purse seine associated fish-aggregating devices. meat consumed sold locally as cheap animal protein, particularly during times fish catch. Fishers highlighted costs bycatch, such increased expenses repair broken nets. suggests potential win–win approaches, like incentive-based interventions encourage release, can serve feasible solutions address conservation issue.

Language: Английский