A Framework for Assessing the Equity Impacts of Changing Access Regimes in Fisheries

• Main Author: Nixon, Marisa
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2020
• Subjects: Environmental management
• ISBN: 9798569997015

This thesis outlines historic trends and current policy focus toward privatization in the ocean, provides a basis for assessing how this process is affecting access to fisheries resources, and suggests how considerations of equity should be incorporated into our assessments of such changing access regimes. The current focus on privatization as a means for extracting the most economic benefit from the ocean endangers access to resources that are important for food and livelihood security for a large percentage of the global population. Ultimately, in order to preserve equitable access to fisheries resources and food production in the coastal landscape, we need to develop a system or typology that carefully documents existing access rights and fisheries management regimes, whether reforms are deemed successful, and what their sustainability outcomes are. This documentation is important not only so changes can be measured over time and so we can consider alternatives, but so the voices of those who may be marginalized by large-scale transitions in access can be considered. This thesis provides a brief overview of the history of enclosure of the Commons, drawing parallels between land and sea, before focusing more directly on saving space for food production in the ocean. Next, the access arrangements, governance and management models that are in common use for regulating access to fisheries are introduced before considering how the analysis of fisheries management and governance styles have been approached in the past. Finally, a typology of access arrangements is proposed.