Working together in small-scale fisheries: harnessing collective action for poverty eradication

Jentoft, Svein and Bavinck, Maarten and Alonso-Población, Enrique and Child, Anna and Diegues, Antonio and Kalikoski, Daniela and Kurien, John and McConney, Patrick and Onyango, Paul and Siar, Susana and Rivera, Vivienne Solis (2018) Working together in small-scale fisheries: harnessing collective action for poverty eradication. Maritime Studies, 17 (1). pp. 1-12. ISSN 1872-7859

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Abstract

This paper builds on lessons learned from case studies of organization-building and collective action as a means of eradicating poverty in small-scale fisheries. The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication, endorsed by FAO Member States in 2014, recognize that addressing poverty depends in large measure upon the collective agency of small-scale fishers and fish workers themselves. We first discuss the nature of poverty in small-scale fisheries and argue that lack of rights and debilitating power relations are among the factors contributing to poverty. Secondly, the paper explores the possibilities of collective action and suggests that the support—but not the domination—of government and civil society is crucial. Finally, we look into the characteristics of fisher and fish worker organizations and emphasize the importance of autonomous decision making, and the need to address internal obstacles and opportunities, including those related to gender.

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Jentoft, Svein and Bavinck, Maarten and Alonso-Población, Enrique and Child, Anna and Diegues, Antonio and Kalikoski, Daniela and Kurien, John and McConney, Patrick and Onyango, Paul and Siar, Susana and Rivera, Vivienne Solis
Document Language:	Language English
Subjects:	Social sciences > Political Science > Relation of state to organized groups > Political action groups Social sciences > Economics > Macroeconomics & related topics > Factors affecting income and wealth > Poverty Technology > Agriculture
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > School of Development
Full Text Status:	Public
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/7272
Publisher URL:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-018-0094-8

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