Exploring Values and Beliefs in a Complex Coastal Social-Ecological System: A Case of Small-Scale Fishery and Dried Fish Production in Sagar Island, Indian Sundarbans

The survivability of the small-scale fishery and dried fish production in Indian Sundarbans, despite increasing threats posed by climate, environmental, economic, and policy drivers, suggests that they possess certain unique strengths and capabilities. One thread of these strengths is connected to the fact that Sundarbans’ fishery system is strongly anchored in the values and beliefs of the local fishing communities. There is, however, limited empirical information available on the prevailing individual and collective attitudes, expectations, traditions, customs, and, above all, values and beliefs that strongly influence local fishing communities of Sundarbans. This manuscript aims to address this gap by drawing on qualitative data to (1) map the nature of values and beliefs associated with the Sundarbans’ Sagar Island fishing communities who are engaged in small-scale fishery and dried fish production; and (2) highlight the contributions of values and beliefs to the small-scale fishery and dried fish production systems of Sagar Island. Our study reveals that historical factors such as the patriarchal and patrilineal system prevalent in the Indian Sundarbans as well as the current drivers, including environmental and social-economic changes, create inconsistent values and beliefs among male and female members of its society. Issues around values and beliefs are heavily influenced by social-ecological realities comprising material, relational and subjective dimensions. They can range from being strictly personal to largely community-oriented as they are shaped by realities of gender, class, power dynamics, and politics. Values and beliefs are fundamental to human perception and cognition but often get neglected in mainstream literature covering human dimensions of resource management. Our research adds weight to the theoretical and place-based understanding of the contributions of values and beliefs to the small-scale fishery and dried fish production systems. We learn from the case study that values and beliefs can act as mirrors, reflecting the current as well as future realities of small-scale fisheries and dried fish production systems and provide important directions for sustainability and viability of the entire social-ecological system that hosts this sector.

EFFECTIVE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT: TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE AND SOCIAL CONFLICTS OF FISHERMEN DUE TO THE USE OF TRAWLING

The use of trawling as a fishing tool has long been known to have a very bad impact on the environment and creates social conflict in fishing communities. Likewise, on the North-East coast of Aceh there are still fishermen who use trawlers as fishing gear. On the other hand, the use of trawling is very damaging to the environment and causes social conflicts for fishermen. The cessation of trawling operations also has an economic and social impact on fishermen who have been using trawling for their livelihood. This study tries to explore how the impact of environmental damage and social impacts or fishing conflicts that occur due to the use of trawling and how the social and economic impacts if trawling operations are stopped on the North-East coast of Aceh. The research method was carried out with an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach. The results showed that there was significant environmental damage in the research area, namely in the waters of Lhokseumawe, North Aceh, East Aceh and Langsa. This is marked by the destruction of coral reefs and the reduced population of various types of fish, some of which are even very rare. The use of trawling also has an impact on social conflicts among fishermen which often occur. Meanwhile, the prohibition of trawling also has an impact on the loss of income for trawler fishermen and those who depend on trawling operations for their livelihoods. This study recommends stopping trawling permanently to preserve the aquatic environment and avoid social conflicts with fishing communities. Furthermore, to save trawler fishermen, the government must try to convert trawler fishing gear to fishing gear that is more economical and environmentally friendly.

PROCESSED PRODUCT DIVERSIVATION BASED COTTLE FISH FOR COASTAL FISHING COMMUNITIES

The highest production (catching) of tuna reached 32.22% per year but the selling price of fish was very low, while the fish processing business was only in the form of wooden fish (keumamah) and smoking due to low mastery of technology and absorption of innovation. The business of processing tuna into shredded fish and fish crackers has never been carried out by the coastal fishing communities of Aceh, even though this business has the potential to be developed on a household scale. The service activity aims to provide training on processing tuna into shredded fish and fish crackers for fishing communities in coastal areas in the category of poor families. The method used is the survey method and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Demonstrations of processing tuna into shredded fish and fish crackers can open up insights and business opportunities for housewives and young fishermen in creating added value and profit for traditional fishing households as well as improving production management and marketing of competitively processed fish. This activity can foster an entrepreneurial spirit among coastal fishing communities to increase fishermen's household income.

Implementation of a floating system as a form of environmental adaptation in Kuala Bubon Village, West Aceh

One of the important factors in supporting the sustainability of an architectural design is the ability to adapt to the environment. This adaptation can be observed, among others, from the accommodative level obtained from a building design to the needs of the community that uses the design. One form of design that is considered to accommodate the needs of the user community is the design of a floating system used by fishing communities. This paper wants to explore the adaptability of the floating system design which is judged by its ability to accommodate the dynamics of the wet environment and the needs of the fishing community. The research method is descriptive and logically explains the causal relationship between the design of the floating system building and the environmental and socio-cultural aspects of the community. Observations show 2 things: a) the legged building system (pit foundation and 2 meter stilt building) is highly adaptive to wetland conditions with tidal characteristics of water at the mouth of the river; b) architectural design of residential units which are about 4 meters apart, allowing the development of residential units into 4 sides, to accommodate the increase in daily activities of fishing communities so that community productivity increases. The conclusion of the study shows that the floating system is very flexible and adaptive to the dynamics of the environment and people’s lives (socio-cultural and economic aspects).

Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) in Cameroon: A formative epidemiological and socioeconomic investigation in eleven rural fishing communities

Background Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) is most often caused by presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs lodged in the female reproductive tract which results in chronic fibrosis and scarring. In Cameroon, despite high community prevalences of urine-patent S. haematobium infections, FGS has yet to be studied in depth. To shed light on the clinical prevalence and socioeconomic effects of FGS, we undertook a formative community-based epidemiological and qualitative survey. Method A cross sectional multidisciplinary study of 304 girls and women from 11 remote rural fishing communities in Cameroon was undertaken using parasitological sampling, clinical colposcopy, and interviews. The lived experiences of those with FGS were documented using a process of ethnography with participant observation and in-depth interviews. Result Amongst 304 women and girls aged >5 years (Median age: 18; Interquartile range: 9.6–28), 198 females were eligible for FGS testing and 58 adult women were examined by clinical colposcopy. Of these, 34 were positive for FGS (proportion: 58.6%; 95% CI: 45.8–70.4), younger girls showing a higher FGS prevalence, and older women not shedding eggs showing a pattern for cervical lesions from earlier infection. In a subset of women with FGS selected purposively (12/58), in-depth interviews with participant observation revealed out-of-pocket expenditures of up to 500USD related health spending for repeated diagnosis and treatment of gynecological illnesses, and 9 hours daily lost reproductive labour. Psychosocial unrest, loss in social capital, and despair were linked with sub-fertility and persistent vaginal itch. Conclusion With our first formative evidence on prevalence, socioeconomic effects and experiences of FGS amongst women and girls in Cameroon, we have clarified to a new level of detail the deficit in provision of and access to peripheral health services in remote areas of Cameroon. Using this information, there is now strong evidence for national programs and services on women’s health and schistosomiasis to update and revise policies targeted on prevention and management of FGS. We therefore stress the need for regular provision of Praziquantel treatment to adolescent girls and women in S. haematobium endemic areas, alongside better access to tailored diagnostic services that can detect FGS and appropriately triage care at primary health level.

Challenges for the fishing community on nutritional perspective in West Bengal coastal areas during the COVID-19 pandemic

Covid 19 pandemic has been affecting from March 2020 to 2021 onwards to all types of people globally. The fishing community is one of the most affected communities depend on their limited income. Their health, mental condition, and lifestyles are all adversely affected by this pandemic situation, mainly for middle or lower-level income groups, including India. Additionally, covid 19 also has disrupted the livelihood of fishing communities in socio-economic and nutrition, especially health perspectives. To review and analyze current literature trends on covid 19 concerning fishing communities’ life, food habits, and challenges. The study was designed based on current literature from 2020 March till 2021 August, focussing mainly on the West Bengal coastal areas. ‘Fishing communities,’ ‘West Bengal coastal areas,’ ‘covid-19 crisis’, ‘social and economic challenges,’ ‘nutrition crisis’ are significant keywords and phrases used for the online searches in open access all databases including Pubmed, Google scholars. Fishing communities are highly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic economically and on nutritional perspectives due to various factors. Presently, there are scant data; hence more research and views are needed about the fishing community in Indian and global perspective as well.

ASPECTOS DA COMERCIALIZAÇÃO DE PESCADO NA FEIRA MUNICIPAL DE CORURIPE – ALAGOAS

ASPECTS OF FISH COMMERCIALIZATION IN THE MUNICIPAL FAIR OF CORURIPE – ALAGOASASPECTOS DE LA COMERCIALIZACIÓN DEL PESCADO EN LA FERIA MUNICIPAL DE CORURIPE – ALAGOASRESUMOA comercialização de pescados nos pequenos municípios da região Nordeste está historicamente associada às feiras livres. Nesse cenário, o presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar a comercialização de pescados na feira livre de Coruripe (AL) por meio de visitas de campos e questionários semiestruturados que avaliaram os feirantes, os produtos comercializados e os aspectos higiênico-sanitários dos postos de venda. De um total de 1.152 boxes disponíveis na feira, foram contabilizados 70 ocupados pela venda de pescados. Os dados indicaram que os comerciantes apresentam, em sua maioria, o seguinte perfil: são mulheres, têm idade entre 40 e 59 anos, possuem baixa escolaridade, trabalham na atividade há mais de 20 anos e têm na feira sua principal fonte de renda. A partir das entrevistas, evidenciou-se que a ocupação de feirante está intrinsecamente vinculada com a cultura das comunidades pesqueiras locais. Quanto ao comércio, uma ampla variedade de espécies, sobretudo marinhas, é negociada (peixes, crustáceos, moluscos). A conservação do pescado é simples, geralmente com gelo, e o beneficiamento é realizado no momento da compra.Palavras-chave: Feiras Livres; Pesca Artesanal; Cadeia Produtiva do Pescado.ABSTRACTThe sale of fish in small municipalities in the Northeast region is historically associated with open markets. In this scenario, the present work aimed to characterize the commercialization of fish in the open market in Coruripe (AL) through field visits and semi-structured questionnaires that evaluated the marketers, the products sold, and the hygienic-sanitary aspects of the points of sale. From a total of 1,152 boxes available at the fair, 70 were occupied by the sale of fish. The data indicated that most merchants have the following profile: they are women, aged between 40 and 59 years, have low education, work in the activity for over 20 years, and have their main source of income at the fair. Based on the interviews, it became clear that the occupation of market stalls is intrinsically linked to the culture of local fishing communities. As for trade, a wide variety of species, especially marine ones, are traded (fish, crustaceans, mollusks). Fish conservation is simple, usually with ice, and processing is carried out at the time of purchase.Keywords: Free Fairs; Artisanal Fishing; Fish Production Chain.RESUMENLa comercialización de pescado en los pequeños pueblos de la región Nordeste se basa históricamente en los mercados libres. En este escenario, el presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo caracterizar la comercialización de pescado en el mercado libre de Coruripe (AL) a través de visitas de campo y cuestionarios semiestructurados que evaluaban a los comercializadores, los productos vendidos y los aspectos higiénico-sanitarios de los puntos de venta. De un total de 1.152 cajas disponibles en la feria, 70 fueron ocupadas por la venta de pescado. Los datos indicaron que la mayoría de comerciantes tienen el siguiente perfil: son mujeres, tienen entre 40 y 59 años, tienen baja educación, trabajan en la actividad desde hace más de 20 años y tienen su principal fuente de ingresos en la feria. A partir de las entrevistas, quedó claro que la ocupación de puestos de mercado está intrínsecamente vinculada a la cultura de las comunidades pesqueras locales. En cuanto al comercio, se comercializan una amplia variedad de especies, especialmente marinas (peces, crustáceos, moluscos). La conservación del pescado es sencilla, generalmente con hielo, y el procesamiento se realiza en el momento de la compra.Palabras clave: Ferias Gratuitas; Pesca Artesanal; Cadena de Producción Pesquera.